Apply your Circles

Unfortunately, I cannot provide circular templates for the circles, so we will need to improvise. You will need a 7.50" diameter blue circle (diameter means the width across), a 6" yellow, and a 5" green. So, go into your cabinets, find some plates and saucers that meet those sizes. You can fudge here a bit, you don't have to follow exactly, but be sure that the pieces fit.

The blue circle (7.50") should be centered over the two yellow bars of section G. It should be slightly offset to the left side. (Again, refer to the picture as a guide.)

The yellow circle (6") should be centered in the upper, middle top of the quilt, equally distributed between sections A and C.

The green circle (5") should be evenly distributed over section B.

Use your favorite method of applique to apply the circles to the background, approximately their placement in the diagram.

Ideas for fusing:

• Cut the circles about 1/4" wider than the posted diameter. Also cut same size of a used dryer sheet, or a piece of lightweight interfacing. Place the right side the circle to the dryer sheet. Stitch the two together using a 1/4" or 1/8" seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance to 1/8". Cut a slit in the dryer sheet and turn the circle inside out. Smooth the seams, cutting relieve slits in the seam allowance if needed. Press well. Trim the bulk of the dryer sheet away from the circle.
• Use fusible webbing: Cut the fusible webbing exactly the same size as the circle. Trim out the inside of the fusible webbing leaving about 1/4" left (you will have a ring shape now). Line up the ring webbing with the circle, paper side up, and press. Remove the paper, place the circle on the background, and press in place. (Remember to follow YOUR fusible webbing's instructions. They all vary.)
• Finally, since the edges of the circle will be covered with the bias, you may wish to just quickly hand applique the raw edges down using a running stitch. The bias tape "leading" will cover these basting stitches and conceal the raw edges underneath.

Apply the Fusible Bias Tape (Leading)

Now, this is the tricky part, applying the fusible bias tape leading. Referring to bias tape placement diagram, (print for reference), start applying your bias tape. I like to just finger press it down first to make sure I have cut off the right length. (You will want to eyeball the length by laying the tape down, positioning, and carefully marking with your finger and cut off.) Apply the bias tape according to the numbers on the diagram.

The numbers that are placed on the vertical refer to the corresponding vertical section next to it. Refer to the arrows to indicate the long sections. You can pretty much match up the placement by following the established seam lines.

When you get to the large blue, checkboard-ish section, first apply all of the vertical pieces only where the blue squares are located. As you will see, you will have 4 squares (along the top row), that will require a piece of bias tape the height of the blue square, and the remaining pieces will actually be 2 squares in height. (Please ask me if this doesn't make sense!)

After you have finished all of the vertical sub-sections of the blue checkerboard, THEN apply #26 on up. Please note: #37 and #38 will go the entire width of the quilt top.

I have numbered the sections so that you shouldn't run into any raw edge problems as the preceding sections will be covered with latter pieces.

Finally, apply the bias tape to the circles. I recommend going VERY slowly in doing so. I like to keep the iron handy for this part as the bias tape will bounce back if it isn't pressed down. No worries if you get it placed incorrectly, just apply some heat, and slowly lift it up and replace it. The tricky part will be when you butt the end of the section to the beggining piece of the section. The easiest way to do this is to slightly overlap the beginning section by folding the very end of the ending section back onto itself. Be slow and careful here as it is a bit confusing, and that last section will be kinda thick. (If you are VERY careful, once you determine how much to overlap, lift up the bottom piece (beginning section) and trim the excess, being sure not to cut into the folds on the side. Do the same for the last inch of the ending section, and refold it back onto itself.

That is it for this week. Please ask if you have ANY questions whatsoever. Do not attempt to sew this down yet. Once you have ensured that it all looks nice and neat, and straight, then press it, using an up and down motion, very well.

On to the final session...
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