Sarah Smith's Rainbow Wavy Inserts Block Tutorial

About the Block

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for creating the "Rainbow Wavy Inserts Block," a unique quilting project designed by Sarah Smith. The block features inserted wavy fabric strips, adding a dynamic visual element to your quilts.

Materials & Preparation

You will need fabric in a plum color for the background and strips in colors such as Gold, Lava, and Lipstick. For a finished block measuring 6 1/2 inches (6 inches finished), begin with a background square of at least 8 inches. If you intend to incorporate more than four wavy strips, use a larger starting square.

For each wave, cut a 1-inch wide strip. The length of the strip should be sufficient to cover the diagonal insertion point plus an additional 2 inches to account for potential waste during the process.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start by cutting a diagonal line with gentle curves into your background fabric square. [Image Description: A piece of background fabric is shown on a cutting mat, with a curved cut line marked.]

2. Position a colored fabric strip (1 inch wide) just underneath the curved cut line of the background fabric. Ensure the strip is placed so that no part of the cutting mat is visible. Cut the strip along the same curvy line, aligning the right side of your background fabric with the left side of the colored strip.

   [Image Description: A colored fabric strip is positioned under a curved edge of the background fabric, aligned for sewing.]

3. Mark the point where the edge of the colored strip meets the edge of the background fabric. This can be done using a pin, chalk, or pen.

4. Carefully flip the colored strip over and pin it securely at the top edge.

5. Sew the pieces together using a 1/4 inch piecing foot. Utilize the 1/8 inch line on your foot as a guide for stitching. It may be necessary to pause, lift the presser foot, and realign the cut edges periodically to maintain accuracy and prevent stretching of the bias edges.

   [Image Description: A sewing machine is shown stitching the fabric pieces together, with a clear view of the foot and fabric.]

6. Press the seam allowances towards the background fabric.

   [Image Description: Two fabric pieces are shown after sewing, with the seam allowance pressed towards the background fabric.]

7. Repeat the trimming process for the subsequent insert. Cut another undulating line on your insert. Ensure you leave at least 3/16 inch of the insert color, as approximately 1/8 inch will be used in the next seam allowance. Tuck the other side of the background fabric just barely underneath this new undulating line and cut to match. Repeat the sewing and pressing steps.

   [Image Description: A trimmed insert is shown, with a part of the blue triangle on the right also trimmed to match the wavy line.]

   The first insert is now complete.

8. Continue adding inserts until all desired waves have been incorporated.

   [Image Description: Multiple colored wavy strips have been inserted into the background fabric.]

9. You might need to steam press and use the tip of the iron to reach the narrower parts of the inserts. Be aware that the block's shape may distort as more strips are added.

   [Image Description: A quilting ruler is placed on the block, showing grid lines and indicating the process of squaring up the block.]

10. Finally, square up your block and trim it to the finished size of 6 1/2 inches.

The completed block, which began as an 8-inch square, finishes at 6 inches after trimming to 6 1/2 inches.