Urban Escape Quilt Pattern: Step-by-Step Sewing Guide

By Sew Kind of Wonderful | Published: 2026-11-01

Category: How-to Guides

Follow this Urban Escape quilt pattern tutorial to cut curves accurately with the Quick Curve Ruler, piece the blocks, and finish a 44 x 59 quilt.

Quick answer

Sew the Urban Escape quilt by cutting your fabrics with the Quick Curve Ruler, piecing the curved units in small batches, and assembling the top in rows. The pattern’s yardage is built around assorted prints, a solid background, and sashing strips, so cut carefully and check your seam allowance before chain piecing.

Why curved piecing rewards a slower start

Urban Escape uses curved seams, so the first few blocks set the tone for the whole quilt. If your curves pucker or wave, the problem is usually in the cut or the seam allowance, not in your machine. Take time to test a single block before you cut all your fabric.

The pattern calls for the Quick Curve Ruler (QCR), which means your cutting accuracy depends on how well you align the ruler with your fabric. A dull blade or a shifted ruler can throw off every curve that follows.

Fabric choices that make curved piecing easier

The pattern specifies assorted prints for the curved units and a solid background and outer border. Solid fabrics can be more forgiving for beginners because they show less print distortion, but a busy print can hide small puckers. If you are new to curves, choose a solid or low-volume print for the background and save bold prints for the curved pieces.

The pattern does not include a fat-quarter option, so plan your yardage from the listed requirements rather than assuming you can substitute precuts.

Step-by-step: sewing the Urban Escape quilt

Prepare your fabrics and tools: Pre-wash and press your fabrics, then gather the Quick Curve Ruler, a fresh rotary blade, and a cutting mat. Check that you have the required yardage: 5 1/4 yards of assorted prints, 1 3/4 yards of solid background and outer border, 3/4 yard of solid sashing strips and outer border, 1/2 yard for binding, and 3 3/4 yards for backing. Common mistake: substituting fat quarters, which the pattern does not allow. Measure your yardage before cutting.
Cut the curved units with the Quick Curve Ruler: Following the pattern’s cutting instructions, use the QCR to cut the curved shapes from your assorted prints and background fabric. Align the ruler carefully and cut in a steady motion. Keep the pieces organized by fabric and shape. Checkpoint: after cutting a few pieces, stack them and verify that curves match. If they don’t, re-check ruler alignment before cutting more.
Sew a test block: Piece one complete block before chain piecing the rest. Use a scant 1/4-inch seam allowance and press seams as directed. Check that the block lies flat and measures the expected size. Common mistake: skipping the test block and discovering tension or seam-allowance issues after cutting all fabric.
Piece the remaining blocks: Once your test block looks good, sew the remaining curved units in batches. Chain piecing can speed up the process, but keep an eye on curve alignment at the seam line. Press each batch before moving on. Checkpoint: measure a few finished blocks to confirm they are consistent in size.
Assemble the quilt top: Lay out the blocks according to the pattern layout, then sew them together in rows. Add the sashing strips and outer border as specified. Press the top from the back to avoid stretching the curves. Common mistake: sewing rows together without pinning, which can shift curved seams. Pin at every intersection.
Finish the quilt: Layer the quilt top with batting and backing, baste, quilt as desired, and bind using the 1/2 yard of binding fabric. The finished quilt should measure approximately 44 x 59 inches. Checkpoint: before binding, square up the quilt edges and trim excess batting and backing.

Pattern facts at a glance

Urban Escape: Finished size is 44 x 59 inches, and the pattern requires the Quick Curve Ruler (QCR). Knowing the finished size helps you plan backing and batting, and the QCR requirement means you need that ruler on hand before you cut.
Urban Escape