preparing small circles for applique

[Judy M.]

However, for the April BOM, I decided to try something a little bit different that helped me with the small (5/8") circles that I needed. Instead of cutting out my circles firsts, I traced all of my larger circles on my fabric in light pencil. Then I sewed my running stitch around the circle, maybe an 1/8" in from the edge. I left a long tail of thread and went on to the next one. Only after all the circles had their running stitches in place did I cut out the circles (being careful not to cut the dangling threads). It was much easier to hold onto the larger piece of fabric and sew than it would have been to handle the small circles.

Hellllllllllllp! I have 10 of 12 blocks completed except for one thing.... ALL the berries! A friend came over to help me make berries, we spent a whole evening making enough berries for ONE block... Aaaargh! Oh, and now I don't like the fabric I picked so they aren't even going to be used.

I cut out the circle, did a running stitch, put a mylar circle into the 'purse', pressed, starched, pressed again. Let cool and pulled out the mylar. (I have 3 mylar circles so I can keep working) Since it took 2 of us to prep enough berries for ONE block the berries alone are gunna kill this project. I don't like this tedious berry making process. All my work is needle turn, I don't want any fuseable berries. (Which would be soooo easy to do.) I had entertained the idea of buttons, but quickly decided it wasn't a look I wanted.... I even did a few berries in my traditional needle turn technique, but that didn't make it as perfect as I wanted. :-(

Is there an easier way besides using the machine to do the running stitch?

Do the Olfa circle cutters work well enough to justify the $25 price? Are there any other tools that could make this less of a week long chore?

Thank you for any and all help.
deb in MN/WI

[Beth A.]

Another method I have used is to make plastic templates the same size as the final berries you want.

Cut the fabric larger than the berries.

Sew around the edge, draw up the string, turn it over and spray the snot out of it with spray starch, then hit it with the iron til it's dry.

You might get the odd "point" on the berry, but I just correct that while I am needle turning.

I agree with you: I could never do all that picky pressing on the edges of those berries.

Good luck!

BethMI

[Beth A.]

I used Beth's method for many of the circles after Sue demonstrated it on one of the shows (sorry, I don't have the episode #). I then machine appliqued them down, and truly liked that look better than the raw edge! Good luck!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Gail E.]

Hello girls,
I have been trying a combination of your ideas for small circles, as this is a first for me. I am doing 77 x 3/4" circles for a 'Rose of Sharon' quilt eek. My technique is to stick one of the sticky circles called 'Presstik' Self Adhesive Labels Round 19mm diameter here in Australia brought for about $1.00 at the supermarket (they are all different colours, white would be better) onto two layers of freezer paper....then you can cut precisely around the 3 layers and then press onto your fabric ending up with 4 layers including the fabric, the hot iron doesn't worry the 'Presstik' at all...then eyeball quarter inch around the circle and cut your fabric. Using a paint brush and spray starch, slowly work around the fabric pulling it tightly over the edge with a stilleto or tooth pick. Only paint starch onto a quarter of the edge at a time, use hot dry iron (wish I had one of those small clover irons, but they are expensive here) as you go, flip it over then iron again. I have been leaving mine to dry before peeling off the 3 layers that are stuck together on the fabric. Probably been done before, but it seems to be working okay for me. I timed it, and it takes about 3 to 4 minutes to do one circle. All the best.javascript:emoticon(':lol:')

[Gail E.]

Good idea Silvery quilter.

[Gail E.]

I have been using for example a 5/8 " craft paper punch to cut circle out of card stock or old mamilla folders and using them for templates. Draw around the paper circle onto the wrong side of fabric. Cut your circle out with a 1/4 " seam allowance to use for your running stitch. Place paper circle back onto the wrong side of fabric circle and draw up your running stitch. Spray with starch and press. Remove paper circle and wala! You can sit and prepare hundreds of circles and then press them all at one time! It works the best for me!

[Margo C.]

Elizabeth, I love the idea of using the punch to make the templates! There are photos in my classroom tutorial for machine appliqué showing I do this technique.

learn/classrooms/

[Margo C.]

I use a method much like Elizabeth, in that I use a craft punch. I press three or four layers of freezer paper together and punch the circles from that. I punch them in a nice pattern so I can use the background for a sencil for Shiva paint stick later. I lay the non-sticky side of the freezer paper on the circle of fabric and gather the fabric with a running stitch. When I press, the fabric sticks to the freezer paper and I don't have to get sticky with the starch. Works for me. Betty Ann

[Margo C.]

Betty, I am going to have to try your technique with the freezer paper! Thanks for posting! Will let you know how I do.

[debra a.]

this really came in handy with all your wonderful ideas and how too`s I am making a mini quilt and needed to know what is the best possible way to make these itty bitty circles. You ladies are the best!! thanks