When I came across the Six Minute Circle video by Dale Fleming, I knew I needed to give it a try. Yesterday I finally got that chance. Whether you are wanting perfectly round circles, organic circles, or even half circles, you really need to check out the video.
I grabbed some of my Shibori hand dyed fabric and linen pieces and set out to see what all the fuss was about! Right off the bat I knew I wasn't going to do perfect circles. I free hand cut a shape I was happy with. Looks like an egg to me...guess that would be an oval!
It's all about the freezer paper! Who would have ever thought that would have a place in quilting?!
You decide on the size of your blocks, circle and how much background space you want around the center shape. Since I was just 'playing', I made two different sizes.
Here is the back after stitching around the circle. You have two options when pressing your seams. If you press them out, like I did, the front looks pieced. If you press the seam towards the center, the block looks more like applique. How about that?!
The tutorial has you cutting two pieces of fabric, one for the background and one for the circle. Both are the same size. I actually didn't do that because I didn't want to 'waste' my hand dyed fabric. I did make sure that it covered the center and all around the turned back area that the tutorial shows.
Also, they took longer than six minutes! And you can expect that if it's your first time trying this method. Next time I will change from my walking foot to a zipper foot when sewing around the corner. I was experimenting so I left my dual feed foot on. Not a good idea.
There are possibilities here and I really like that! Have you used this method? Or do you have a different technique you use?
If you haven't heard, Debbie at A Quilter's Table is doing Crosscut Quilt-Along on Instagram. I jumped in! It was too irresistible! By the end of the I will have a gorgeous mini quilt!
If you aren't able to join in but would like to learn, she has a great tutorial for the Crosscut Block here.
Every day this week she has step to complete. I picked pink, only because I rarely use pink in anything except on my toenails!
This was the end of day of day two. Day three...slice it up!! Seriously...YIKES! Courage is needed! It's been fun and who doesn't love a quick quilt-along?!
LINKING:
Making a simple top and then cutting it up does require courage! I don't like doing it which is why my twister is sitting on the design wall waiting. Good luck with the cutting.
ReplyDeleteIt did require courage, especially since I liked it so much as is! But what's done is done now!
DeleteThanks for sharing the circle video. Looks easy enough! I've been enjoying the Crosscut progress on instagram and love your fabrics!
ReplyDeleteThe circles are really easy, easier than I thought it would be! I'm fiddling with a few in hopes of using them for a hand quilting project, we'll see how that goes. The crosscut project is also moving along. I just put all the sliced blocks back together and plan on quilting it today!
DeleteI'm not a circle person. they scare me! LOL Can't wait to see your crosscut quilt finished! I love your start. The chopping up part was fun for me. you can do it!
ReplyDeleteThey scared me too Ellyn! After trying the six minute circle tutorial, I am no longer afraid and so happy I have learned another new technique! I did it…I chopped it up too!
DeleteI have heard about that circle technique but have not tried it. Thanks for the link to the tutorial. And I am enjoying seeing your crosscut progress on IG. Really like your color choices!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to the circle tutorial, I was recently thinking of that. Now I don't have to search for the link ;-) Your ovals/circles look a bit like pebbles in those fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI am also following along with the Crosscut Quilt Along, though I am a bit behind... I really like your version so far!
Thanks a million for both links - really like the pink crosses and I am eager to try this circle technique!
ReplyDeleteI've tried the circle a couple of times and have omitted the freezer paper and still had good results. Fun that you managed 'ovals'.
ReplyDeleteAnd RE: the quilt-along - so glad you joined in. Love how yours is coming along!
I love this circle method. Even more - LOVE the organic circles!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to try this method, thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWhenever a tutorial lists a time frame in the title, I've learned to double that number. The 1-hour basket - it takes me 2 (well, less now that I've made it 10 times). I've done a similar technique that I learned from Mandy Leins who taught a class at our guild. It's from her book Wanderlust Quilts. Instead of using a glue stick to tack everything down, she uses spray starch that is applied with a paintbrush. The glue stick method in the video just seemed too messy.
ReplyDeleteHere's an example of how you can use starch with the freezer paper. http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/2016/04/starch-applique-method-how-to-video.html
DeleteI did go look at the tutorial, and it's a very interesting process. My only question was what would you do with the leftover pieces from the initial quilt piece after you cut your squares? =) I like your piece, even though I'm not a fan of pink. The backgrounds make it interesting!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh, duh, I really liked your circles, too. The thing that's always bothered me was the waste, but you were smart enough to figure out how to cut down on that!
DeleteThe circle tutorial is perfect. I'm almost finished a drunkard's path wall hanging for my sister's birthday - I will use this technique again and again. Thanks, it was so timely, too!
ReplyDeleteI've not tried the technique before. I love your "pinks" blocks.
ReplyDeletethanks sop much for that linky--I LOVe that video..and your shibori circles are beautiful..I like that generic look to them it goes well with that fabric...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteLove our circles Jayne. I couldn't get the video, just adverts (maybe because I'm in the UK), but a quick internet search found loads of stuff.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Kate