SHOW AND TELL--Your Blocks

[Alice S.]

June is finished. I know lots of participants got theirs done early; I'm just thankful not to be finishing on the last day of the month. The remaining double nine patches are in the works as well. Yea!

Any pointers on getting rounder circles (berries) are appreciated! I've tried needle turn and starch basting.

[Barbara B.]

I make berries/circles with Karen K Buckley’s Perfect Circle templates. She shows how on the show when she was a guest.

[Helen W.]

Ckewing3901, I just saw your post and like you, I am always looking for a easier or better way to do something,
I googled making applique circles, and the first one I saw I had never seen before. Not probably for really small
circles, but it looks like something I will try. Sarah Fielke uses a cardboard circle on wrong side and tin foil on the other side of the cut out fabric circle
pinches the tin foil around the circle with the cardboard and then irons. It came out nice and perfectly shaped. If she had sprayed the fabric with
a little starch it would even have a crisper







edge. I took a screen shot of some you may want to google and watch. HelenW

[Barbara B.]

Here is a new product that is appearing on a few blogs and I saw it on Facebook today:

https://www.applipops.com/

[Sandy F.]

Wow! Two new option for making circles. I use Plastic Templates and you have to baste around the outer circle and pull tight around the template and press. I'll have to experiment with plastic templates and aluminum foil. I like the applipops but hopefully I won't be making that many circles in the future.

[Judith A.]

Barbara,
The Applipop's are intriguing. I am always looking for new tools to try that might make quilting easier and better. Thank you.

Judy Austin

[Barbara B.]

Judith, I've got a set on the way. Eager to give them a try.

[Barbara B.]

I’ve got the two Applipops sets (different sizes) and really like them. So easy to use. Only drawback is you can make only one at a time so if you need a LOT of the same size circles, it could take a while. But for just a few, it’s a great method!

[Judith A.]

Ckewing,
I use Karen K Buckley's mylar templates also. I have tried different ways of making circles with them. This is what currently works best for me.....
- I start with an oversized plece of fabric for the applique. The extra fabric makes it easier to handle in the other steps.
- Next I glue Karen's mylar template to the back of the fabric with a little bit of Roxanne's basting glue, iron it dry and let it cool. It has to be really dry.
- Then I machine -baste around the template. The smaller the stitches the better. I used to do this basting be hand, but I found that slow and frustrating, because of carpal tunnel.
I wondered, what if I tried basting around the circle by machine? After some experimenting and some practice, I machine baste around all my circles now.- even the small ones. I usually use an applique foot. I have also used an edge-stitching foot with the needle moved about 3 steps to the left on my Bernina. I reduce the stitch length on my Bernina to about half the default. I increase the top thread tension to 2 or 3 times the default. I use the hover mode and stitch slowly. I start and end with long thread tails. I baste about 1/8" from the template. I find this method a lot quicker. I get better circles because the small stitch length helps prevent big puckers/pleats/points.
- Then I gather the thread around the template, easing it much like we used to ease a sleeve cap in garment sewing.
- Next I trim the seam allowance.
-Then I dampen the seam allowance with Dritz Fabric Folding Pen and press it. My favorite iron for this step is the Dritz Petite Press Portable Iron. (My standard iron is too big and awkward for this step. My other mini iron is too small and takes too long.)
-IMPORTANT: Iron around the outside perimeter edge of the prepared seam allowance only. Don't iron the entire seam allowance down first time around. Ironing only the outside circumference first will often result in a perfect circle. I like to use my Appliquick tools to help with this. Then I go around it again with my iron, pressing the whole seam allowance.
- Then I examine the circle and run my finger around the circumference, trying to find any points/pleats, etc. If I find any, I dampen that area again with the Dritz Folding Pen and use the sharp point of my Appliquick tool to fix that area.
- When I am satisfied, I apply starch to the seam allowance with Traditional Primitives Starch Brush, and press it dry.
- When dry and cool, I slide the mylar template out and press all the circles at the same time with my big steam iron and a silk press cloth. This step sticks the whole applique together. I try to protect the circles until I am ready to hand-applique them down by putting them in a small plastic bag in my Afternoon Delight notebook.
I hope you can find something in this that helps.

Happy quilting,
Judy Austin

[Ramune T.]

June applique blocks are done It's been so nice to see everyone's blocks and layout ideas.

[Judith A.]

Chrys,
I really like your blocks! Wow! Great choice of fabrics. I love the fussy cuts.
Your blocks inspire me to go a little farther with mine.

Judy

[Ramune T.]

JudithA,
Thank you very much! Sue Garman's block patterns for this quilt are very pretty, and it has been enjoyable to play with fabric options I've been digging deep into stash....

[Carol C.]

Where do I see the blocks that people have done. I'm in the show and tell section but don't see any. Thanks

[Barbara B.]

You are in the right place. Scroll down on this Topic and you will see photos in many posts—either as Attachments or Inserted in the post directly. Currently, there are 36 pages of posts, going back to January.

[Jupergee]

Here are my May blocks. I picked fabrics for all the blocks at the beginning. I'm anxious to see how they will all look together, Excited to get working on July's.