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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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.
 
 

15 comments:

  1. Thanks for showing that tip, it makes the circles so crisp. I love it

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  2. Well aren't you brilliant! Not something I ever thought of, and probably never would! Lol! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!

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  3. Well, how cool is that? I wonder why I never thought of it???? lol

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  4. I have not tried this method, thank you for the tutorial. I think that block is looking great and your plan sounds wonderful.

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  5. How cool is that!!! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  6. Finally, another post. I was beginning to wonder where you went. I have missed your quilting projects as they are always so gorgeous and you give such great tips. I have become totally addicted to your qayg method and my fmq has gotten better since i am quilting on smaller and more manageable pieces.
    cindi

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  7. Thank you for the curved piecie-making tutorial--it is so neat!! We all do so many angled and straight lines--this is refreshing...Julierose

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  8. Welcome back and with a great technique for the applique circles. Dan will be thrilled with your block, no doubt. (right Dan?) Better late than never,eh? Oh, and if you decide that one isn't right, send it on over to me. Love it

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  9. Hi Marianne. I just came across your blog. I love your colourful quilts. Thank you for your easy to follow tutorials. I just tried out easy circles and am very pleased with the results. Thank you again for sharing. Hua.

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  10. OMG Thank you! I have been wanting to try circles and didn't know where to start! This is an awesome method! Can't wait to try it!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I try to respond to all of your wonderful comments....if you are not getting any response from me it's because you are set up as a no-reply blogger. In order to receive a response you can change your status in your blogger profile. I'm no longer accepting anonymous comments.

Thanks again for all your wonderful comments
Marianne