I didn't give up! You Dear Readers were so encouraging about having me continue to try to make this block, and gave me all kinds of good advice! I went out and bought a book on making the Winding Ways block, and got some great tips and tricks that had me making nice blocks in no time. The book, Winding Ways Quilts, is written by Nancy Elliott MacDonald and is available on Amazon.com. The author claims her method is practically pinless, and she isn't lying. You hardly pin at all.
When I had my less than successful previous experience trying to make this block, I was using templates designed by Marti Michell. The templates are good, and I continued to use them after I learned a few lessons from Nancy's book. My biggest issue wasn't sewing the curved seams, but attaching one half of the block to the other. At the center point, I found there was too thick a layer of fabrics coming together to get a nice center point.
The narrow template that runs through the center of the block is above. You are supposed to cut a total of four units for each block. With the instructions given with the templates, one is instructed to sew two of the pieces together and make one long piece that connects the two halves of your block. With a bulky seam at the center.
The brilliant idea from the book is that for one of the center pieces, you place the template on the FOLD and cut. You then end up with one long unit with no center seam. Love it. I marked the seam allowance (which you don't want on this piece) with some pink plastic tape, placed the edge of the tape on the fold and cut away. For the other two center units, you do not place the template on the fold, but cut normally, and end up with two units. So, instead of four center units, you have three: two short ones and one long one.
You sew the two shorter center units to connect the shield shaped sections. You end up with two halves just like the one shown above. (My stitches look a little wobbly there. I guess I was nervous!)
Next, you attach the one long center section (that you cut on the fold) to one half of the block. One nice thin piece of fabric, with no nasty seams to get in the way. Pin at the center and sew.
Now you are ready to sew the two halves of the block together, and things will lay nice and flat and smooth. Getting that seam out of my way made such a difference. You do have to be careful about sewing with a scant 1/4" seam allowance though. You can see how little fabric there is at the center of the block, so you want to go slow and easy when you are stitching.
Woo hoo! Flat and smooth on the back.
And flat and smooth on the right side. I am so happy I stuck with this. I am going to have a Winding Ways quilt after all!
And just so you know that no new fabrics were placed at risk in this experiment: I used leftover scraps I had saved from a couple of previous blue and white quilts I had made. A free quilt Friends! Shop at home.
Thanks for the great tips on piecing this. I may just have to pull mine out of hiding. Love the blues and creams you used.
Posted by: Sue Bennett | February 21, 2011 at 04:28 AM
thanks for sharing your trials and triumphs. love winding ways and have those same templates and a nice collection of indigo fabrics to use. with your helpful hints i'm ready to go for it. maybe after eventide....
Posted by: cindy b | February 21, 2011 at 04:37 AM
your blocks are gorgeous! You made it look so easy.
I love to shop at home. It's the only place I know that's open 24 hours a day!
Posted by: Kim | February 21, 2011 at 04:39 AM
How exciting! I'm so happy for you. Yeah!!!
Posted by: *karendianne. | February 21, 2011 at 05:08 AM
Applause, applause! You found a great way to make these blocks. Thanks for the tutorial and great photos that explain so well how to be successful as you've been!
I look forward to seeing your Winding Ways quilt! Will you continue on in blue and white?
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | February 21, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Thanks for the tips and pictures. Quilters do persevere. Beautiful blocks Judy C
Posted by: Judy C in NC | February 21, 2011 at 06:00 AM
Ah. How wonderful that you found a method to that madness! The pieces are looking lovely.
Posted by: Sandy | February 21, 2011 at 06:02 AM
Love your blocks! I have this book and have never made not one block.. I look at it regularly and I think one day..now I may need to actually do it.
Posted by: rita | February 21, 2011 at 06:09 AM
Your blocks look fantastic. I have been way too intimidated to try these but maybe now I will.
Posted by: Yvette | February 21, 2011 at 06:31 AM
Beautiful job!
Posted by: Jocelyn | February 21, 2011 at 06:33 AM
I knew you could do it! I love my winding ways quilt, and I think you'll love yours too.
Posted by: Diane | February 21, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Beautiful! And such clear instructions - I think I should try this one. Love your fabrics, too.
Posted by: Pat C in Washington | February 21, 2011 at 07:06 AM
Nice blocks Nicole - thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Sallee from NH | February 21, 2011 at 07:09 AM
It's looking so great!!!!!!
Posted by: Amy H | February 21, 2011 at 07:18 AM
Great tips! I love scrap quilts the most I guess because they are "free". And I love all your blue and creams. Having just finished a blue and white/cream quilt, I find them to be a wonderful color combination. Although I may have a red an white quilt in my future.
Posted by: Chris | February 21, 2011 at 08:18 AM
It looks great!!! It reminds me of the beach house colors. :)
Posted by: Madeline | February 21, 2011 at 09:04 AM
How clever! This is turning out great - just love blues and creams together.
Posted by: Jan Smith | February 21, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Yay You! Thanks for the little tute~ your block looks great! Have fun!
Posted by: Sandie ~call me crazy | February 21, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Thanks for the advice Nicole. I've never tried this yet. I love your blue/cream fabrics!!! Of course I do, right? :)
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | February 21, 2011 at 01:13 PM
Good for you!
Posted by: Paula Peck | February 21, 2011 at 01:56 PM
I really like this pattern. Your blocks are beautiful. I am so glad you stuck with it. Thanks for the helpful tip on piecing.
Posted by: Miki | February 21, 2011 at 07:54 PM
That turned out great, the center circle really pops out at you! This is a lesson to all of us, not to give up, and to pass along a suggestion when someone needs some help. Good all the way around!
Posted by: Thelma | February 22, 2011 at 03:25 AM
Genius! thanks for sharing the tip. I'm going to print your post out and put it with my templates!
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | February 22, 2011 at 03:27 AM
adorable work ! :)
Posted by: Kat | February 22, 2011 at 05:12 AM
I'm so glad that you persevered! The block in itself is a great block... and the pattern you get when they come together is so fun! You quilt is beautiful!!!
Posted by: Sinta Renee | February 22, 2011 at 09:22 AM