Free Bee for October

Free Bee Block for Dan completed.

I ended up placing the circles at an angle and I'm not quite sure if that was the right move or not.

 But what's done is done. 

 

 

 

As you can see the "block" and I use that term loosely just sort of kept growing. It ended up being 34" x 14"or something like that.

Dan just gave us way to much freedom and of course true to form I got carried away. 

Easy Circles Part II

So what does one do with all these lovely circles??? 

Let me share my favourite way of stitching the circle to the quilt top. 

 

 One pin per circle is all I use.

 An open toe applique foot is really helpful in sewing down the circles.

 I've set my machine to an applique or blanket stitch and am using invisible thread.

Use regular thread in the bobbin.

I pressed my seams open for the back ground strips, in order to minimize bulk.

As you can see I've caught one of the seam allowances....something I try to avoid.

 There we are....one circle stitched down.
 Just relax and take your time.
 I've left the thin interfacing on the back of the circle so everything remains nice and stable as you're sewing.

Flip everything over and clip away the background layer being careful not to catch the front circle with your scissors. 

 

 Here comes the bonus of using this method. You have cut out a very usable second generation circle.

Even your interfacing can be reused. 

Following the steps in yesterday's post
Easy Circles Part I you can create another circle. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

There we are a smaller second generation circle...... 

I now have many many options when adding these little beauties to the quilt top, so much fun!!!

Hmm....let me see.

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.