Quarter Circle Template, Drunkard's Path Quilting

Pie and frame templates for quarter circle blocks, with the seam allowance built in. Cut, match the notches, sew.

Files

• STL: set_default.stl. Plain mesh, any slicer.

• 3MF: quarter_circle_4in_quarter_sa.3mf. Bambu Studio project with my tested settings (PrusaSlicer opens the geometry).

• SCAD: quarter_circle_mw.scad. The parametric source, for any other size.

What is in it

• PIE, the quarter circle. Cut this from your accent fabric.

• FRAME, the L-shaped background with the curve bitten out.

• Both labelled on the top face, so you never mix them up: the piece name, the finished block size, and the seam allowance included.

• A small notch in the middle of each curve, with a tick beside it, so you can match the centres before you pin.

The pieces are cutting templates, so they are bigger than the finished block. The 4" block frame measures 4 1/2" along each side: 4" finished plus 1/4" seam allowance on both edges. That is why the label reads INCL 1/4" SA (seam allowance).

How to use it

1. Lay the template on the fabric, right side up, and draw round it, then cut along the line with scissors.

2. Snip or mark the centre notch on both fabric pieces.

3. Place the pie on the frame, right sides together, with the notches matched. Pin at the notch and both ends.

4. Sew with a 1/4" seam, easing the curve as you go, then press towards the frame.

5. The block measures 4 1/2", ready to sew to its neighbours at 4" finished.

Four blocks turned different ways make the classic Drunkard's Path, and from there fans, circles, waves and snakes.

Need another size? Customise in OpenSCAD

Download the .scad file and open it in OpenSCAD (free). Every option below is in its Customizer panel.

• Block size: 2 1/2" to 9" in 1/8" steps, or 6 to 23.5 cm, or 60 to 235 mm

• Curve radius: leave it at 0 for the classic two-thirds of the block, or type your own. It tells you the range that works for your block if you go too far

• Seam allowance: none (finished-size templates), 1/4", 3/8", 7.5 mm or 1 cm

• Centre notch on or off, label size, thickness and edge chamfer

Print settings

• Material: PLA, or PETG if it will get knocked about

• Layers: 0.2 mm

• Walls: 4, because the edge is the cutting surface

• Infill: 15% gyroid. The walls make the edge, so more infill only adds weight

• Supports: None, flat as supplied

• Elephant foot compensation: 0

• Wall order and seam: Outer wall first and a scarf seam, so the edge stays clean and true. The 3MF here already has both

Colours

The photos show white with black lettering. The lettering is a single layer on top, so with an AMS that is one filament swap. No AMS? Map both filaments to one spool and run a fine marker over the raised letters.

The design decisions and the testing here are mine. The OpenSCAD was written with Claude, and every version was rendered and measured before it went up.

If it is useful, a like and a make with a photo really help. I read every comment.

Also on MakerWorld: https://makerworld.com/en/models/3342469