Yesterday I took several hours and prepared some pieces for applique. Some of it is fabric and some is wool. I like to do this sometimes just so I am ready to applique.
I wanted to share a picture of these scissors with you. The blue handled one is from Clover and the other pair is Gingher. What is special about them is that the blades are serrated. Really tiny serrated blades.These are my favorite to cut out little applique pieces. The fabric does not slip as you cut.
I thought I would share my favorite way to make perfect circles. If you have not tried these you need to go to your local quilt shop and get these. They are templar circles from
Karen Kay Buckley. There are four of each size. She also has produced larger circles too. No more cutting out cardboard circles which never ending up being perfect.
Trace the circle on the wrong side of the fabric. I also like to use a sandpaper board to trace on fabric. It holds the fabric in place really well.
With a knotted thread you will sew a running stitch midway through the seam allowance. It is sort of like a yo-yo except you don't turn over the seam allowance. Hopefully you can see some of the circles with the thread running through it. After I do that then take the circle and place it in the center of the fabric and pull the thread across the circle and hold it tightly. Then I take magic sizing and spray some in a small cup. It will turn into liquid in a few seconds. Take a paint brush and paint the seam allowance.
Take a hot iron (I like the Clover iron) and place on the edges to dry the sizing. Turn it over and iron the front side. Sometimes the sizing will get on the front. Let it cool and then pull out the circle and there you have a perfect circle.
As you can see from the photo above I sewed a lot of the edges on the circles. I did that while I was watching tv last night. With 4 templar circles I do one, let it cool, and work on the next one. Let it cool and do the next one. In no time they are done. They are perfect.
With Passion, Carrie P.
15 comments:
I received my cottage blocks. Thanks.
Pam
Great tips. There is a reason your are an applique teacher!
Awesome tips. I love those mylar circles. Prepping is my least favorite thing to do but sometimes I'll spend a few hours doing it.
Wow, what a great tip. I didn't know anything about those templates!
Thanks so much for sharing this technique. I've got to find those templates!
Hi Carrie, thanks for the comment on my blog, so glad you got one of my houses! Looked at everything you are making and WOW you are one talented lady. Love the layout for the houses quilt. Also, your applique work is beautiful. Lots of Hugs, Mary
p.s. I vacation in Outer Banks, N.C.
is that near you?
Thanks for sharing your technique, I received those circles from a secret sister. I have used them to make pennies and your technique seems quick giving you a perfect rounds edge.
This is my preferred circle technique, too. An hour here and an hour there; before you know it much progress is made!
These are really wonderful tips. I need to get myself a good pair of scissors like that. Thanks Carrie!
I have both sets of the circles and LOVE them! I wouldn't do circles any other way.
Just to let you know that I visited your blog today. I like what I see. So many nice projects and photos.
Love those scissors and circles. I will be ordering both. Aren't we lucky to have been in the cottage block swap??!!!
Thanks for the tips. I do like doing applique and mix it with patchwork in some projects. At the mo i'm making a tree skirt with hand applique.
I came here via Stephanie. Lovely blog- you make some very beautiful inspiring things.
Thanks for the tips, especially about the scissors!
Thanks for telling me where I can get the sizing.
I hope it's okay for me to add you to my blogroll.
Carrie,
Just came to your tutorial again as I am needing to make some circles! Your method works like a charm!! Thanks so much.
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