The 3", 6" and 9" Winding Way can be easily machine pieced, or hand pieced.To achieve the eye catching secondary circular pattern, the secret is to alternate blocks, one using dark fabric in the center, and the next using light fabric in the center.
For instruction purposes, the largest template is A, the next smaller corner template is B, and the smallest ice cream cone shape is C. See the illustrations below. If you wish to label your templates, a laundry marker works well.
If you are hand sewing, you'll want to mark both cutting and sewing lines. For machine piecing, at least mark the corner seam allowance and the cutting line.
For each "dark" block:
For each "light" block:
- Cut 4 template A from dark fabric
- Cut 4 template B from light fabric
- Cut 4 template C from light fabric
Handle the cut patches with care, as too much tugging and pulling will stretch them out of shape.
- Cut 4 template A from light fabric
- Cut 4 template B from dark fabric
- Cut 4 template C from dark fabric
Step 1. Sew an A to each B and press towards B. Always sew with the concave "(" piece on top. You will have 4 AB units.
Step 2. Take 2 AB units and sew a C onto the same side of each. Press towards the AB unit. Remember to sew with the concave piece on top. You will have 2 ABC units.
Step 3. Sew each of the remaining AB units to an ABC unit. Press towards the AB unit.
Step 4. Take one of the units from step 3 and with right sides together, pin on a C. Begin sewing at the center seam line and sew to the outside edge. This is the only place where you do not want to sew into the seam allowance! Fold over the seam allowance and pin the last C on, matching the centers. Sew from the outside edge to just past the center. Press away from the C's towards the AB units.
Step 5. Now sew the 2 sections together, matching centers and sewing with the concave piece on top. Press towards the AB units.
Helpful Hint: If you are having problems getting the centers to meet, check your seam allowance. If you must err, a scant 1/4" will always work better than a too generous one.
