New Directions in Tumbling Blocks

Class Preview

You won’t believe your eyes! Sew a stunning tumbling-blocks quilt with versatile techniques that make your piecing pop.

Fabric Selection

Meet your instructor, quilting teacher and author Karen Combs, and get a sneak peek at the gorgeous, head-turning cubes you’ll make in this class. Karen explains how the illusion of depth works and shares tips for choosing fabrics that will help trick the eye into seeing 3-D objects!

3-D Tumbling Blocks

Embark on the creation of a tumbling block with Karen’s guidance. You’ll make a three-block table runner using one color family in this beginner-friendly project. Along the way, Karen shows you how to prepare and cut your fabric at symmetrical 60-degree angles.

Table Runner Background

Complete the table runner you started in Lesson 2, and be prepared for a surprise when you learn that the background fabric simply consists of multiple wedges! Karen shows you how to sew the blocks, demonstrates border treatments and shares suggestions for beautiful quilting ideas.

3-D Nine-Patch Diamond

Transform the single-color cube into a more complex block as you tackle a two-color nine patch. Karen helps you select fabric colors that create a 3-D effect, and demonstrates methods for cutting diamonds with the use of templates. You’ll be amazed how the blocks start to look as you lay them out!

Joining the 3-D Nine-Patch Diamond

Start the construction of your 3-D nine patch as you sew your diamonds into rows. Next, join your rows using Karen’s ingenious tab method, which helps you align your diamonds perfectly. Press your blocks onto freezer paper before employing Karen’s tips for sewing Y-seams easily and efficiently.

Two-Cube & Three-Cube Designs

Now that you know how to make dimensional cubes, Karen helps you envision a wide variety of designs for two and three cubes. Swap light and dark diamonds to shift the “light direction” and look of your quilts, add extra units for visual appeal, and add clever stitching details!

Multi-Cube Design Variations

Apply your new skills to a virtually unlimited array of multi-cube design options. Karen shows you how to make your blocks look like wrapped gifts, and demonstrates ways to incorporate four or seven cubes into your quilt. You’ll finish the class bursting with new dimensional design ideas!