Improv Wavy Strips Tutorial
I thought I would share an Improv Wavy Strips tutorial with you today. This is the method I use to create wavy strips that I use for various improv projects.
I used improv wavy strips to form the first border on my Stay at Home Round Robin quilt, as you can see here.
I find improv wavy strips very relaxing and fun to sew. So let me show you how quick and easy they are.
Before you begin, be sure you have a sharp blade in your rotary cutter. It will make the cutting much easier, because the blade won’t drag through the strips. Just keep in mind that you are cutting without a ruler, so keep your fingers clear of the sharp blade. I am careful to keep my fingers behind the blade as I cut.
When you are trying this for the first time, start with two strips no narrower than 2.5″ wide. For the first try, I’d suggest a 3″ width so you have plenty of room to practice the cut. The length should be no longer than 12 inches. You can use a longer strip once you feel comfortable with this method.
With both strips facing right side up, overlap the strip on the left on top of the strip on the right.
In the photo above, you can see how I’ve overlapped the strips, right sides up. The bottom edges would usually be flush – I wanted you to see the overlap. Overlap about 1-1/2″ so that you can easily cut through both strips.
Starting from the bottom edge, cut a gentle wave through the overlapped section of the strips. Keep the curves very gentle and easy. You can cut deeper waves as you get more comfortable.
Once your cut is made, you will have four pieces.
Discard pieces A and B.
With the remaining two strips, place the strip on the right on top of the strip on the left. Your strips will be right sides together. You’ll notice your strips will not line up, but that’s the way it’s supposed to look.
Take your strips to your sewing machine, and without pinning, sew your strips together, gently easing the wavy segments together. Be careful not to pull or stretch the strips. Just gently ease the strips together as you sew. You will not necessarily be able to get the edges perfectly flush with each other; just get them as close as you can without distorting the fabric.
Stitch a short length, pause with your needle down and foot up, and ease the next short length together, then stitch. Keep repeating this for the length of the strip. (A needle down or pivot foot feature on your machine is helpful for this step.) Once your strip is sewn, it may look a bit wonky until it is opened.
Gently ease the strip set open, pressing the seam the direction it wants to go. Again, be careful not to stretch or distort the strips.
Press the seam, gently easing it open as you go. Be careful not to pull or drag the iron, which will cause distortion. Your first improv wavy strips are sewn!
To add more strips to your set, repeat these steps, this time using the sewn strip set to overlap the next strip, and so on. With each additional cut, be mindful not to cut too close to the seam of the other strip. You will need to allow for seam allowance when you sew the strips together.
I hope this tutorial is helpful! If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I’ll respond.
Linking up with Tips & Tutorials on the 22nd with Kathleen McMusing.
Wendy
22 Comments
Cindy Pieters
Great tutorial Wendy!
Nancy Bekedam
Clear tute, Wendy!!! I’m feeling the urge to run off and do wavy strips! Did you know it’s Squirrel Appreciation Day?!
Louise
Very nice tutorial! Makes me want to grab my rotary cutter and try today!
Vicki in MN
Awesome, thank you for sharing your method with us;) I love that polka dot placemat, but the photo beside it made me think how awesome that would be for a dining room chair back cover.
Barbara J Stanbro
Thanks! Great tutorial!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That’s a great tutorial, Wendy! I haven’t thought to offset the strips like you do and will try that next time. For my SAHRR curved borders I was able to get two birders out of one set of strips. Do you make yours wider or longer than needed and then trim to size?
Quilting is in my Blood
What a great tutorial. I plan to refer to it when I make my SAHRR week one curved borders this weekend. Thanks for taking the time to put this tutorial together.
Kathleen McCormick
Great tutorial and so handy to have with the curve requirement for SAHRR! Thanks for posting – getting my post ready for the challenge tomorrow!
TextileRanger
This is a beautifully clear tutorial, thank you!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! How nifty. The curved pieces snug up rather similar to drunkard’s path pieces – you’d never think they should go together but they sure do. Thanks so much for the tutorial! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
laura bruno lilly
I wish I’d had this the first time I tried to do this a few years ago…what a mess that was. THIS tutorial however is fantastic and has inspired me to try it again as I’m always drawn to this sort of piecing. Thanks a bunch, Wendy!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Perfect tutorial for these improv curves. A needle down feature is so helpful and one of the reasons I selected my current machine!
Tracie
Great tutorial and I’m definitely going to try your technique!
The Joyful Quilter
Nice job on the tutorial, Wendy! Your technique is the same way I do pieced improv curves. It’s SEW much fun!!
marissthequilter
Thanks for this very clear tutorial, Wendy
Katy Sweigart
Great tutorial! I love your pieces like this. I need to do this today.
Cheree Hull
So that’s how you do that! Well-done!
Kathy Swallows
Thanks for demonstrating, that’s now what I would have expected.
Sandra Walker
Nice, simple tutorial Wendy with oh-so-pretty fabrics. I learned to do this with Karla Alexander’s books 🙂 Need to pull them out again. So many great ideas, and a good stash buster to boot! PS I absolutely LOVE the greens and blues example.
Carol Andrews
Thank you Wendy for the wonderful tutorial. 🤔
quiltinggail
Great tutorial, Wendy!
Wendy Currie
Thank you for sharing this Wendy!! I have scraps on my cutting table ready to play so will be trying this out!!