Easy Circles Part I

I finally started working on my Free Bee block for Dan (due a while back).

 My very first thought, when I saw the inspiration quilt was to make a pieced background of strips, with a row of appliqued circles on it. 

 One great advantage of appliqued circles is that you can move them around, on a pieced background, until you find an arrangement that you are satisfied with.  I'm still playing around.
My plan is to applique the circles and then cut away the striped fabric from behind the circles, to make smaller circles which will in turn be appliqued onto the solid circles....sounds confusing right??? I'm quite sure that was a run on sentence. It's actually very simple.

First of all, I'll walk you through my favourite way of making appliqued circles.

Making Appliqued Circles

Trace your circle onto a piece of very thin, non fusable interfacing.

As you can see, I've just used a pen. 

Pin the interfacing to the right side of the fabric....one pin is all I usually use.

Sew through all layers, on the traced line, using a regular stitch length. 

 Trim away the excess fabric and interfacing, leaving approximately 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Cut a slit in the interfacing being careful not to cut the fabric. 

 Turn right side out....just as if you were making a pillow case.

 Just run your finger along the inside of seam making sure everything is smoothly turned.

Lightly press, using steam. I usually use more of a patting motion with the iron, rather than a gliding motion. 

 

Turn over and press.  This method can be used for any curved shape.

 

Coming up: What to do with these circles.