chance

Love it when people think 'outside the box'. Thank you so much for sharing this ingenious way to deal with those pesky joints.

carolynjo

I learned years ago to piece 1/2 half the circle and then piece the other half. Then, sew the 2 halves together. They tend to lie flatter for me that way.

misseva

Oh, WOW, it creates another star in the middle. Who would-a-thunk-it!

charsuewilson

It helps to piece the two eighths of each quarter block together, then piece two quarter blocks together, then piece the two halves together.

Judi in Ohio

PenniF you are brilliant . Found a great way around a problem and make that star your own.

Scissor Queen

Nifty idea!

Yooper32

What an absolutely fabulous idea. Thank you so much for giving it to all of us.

ann31039

I like that idea. And the pounding idea. Guess it will depend on the pattern as to which I do in each case. My mother used a hammer to hem jeans. Made the fold stay in and helped with getting it all under the pressing foot and sewing. I do that too. Never would have thought to pound a quilt. Cool.

fireworkslover

If you are making star blocks, another way to avoid having all those sections come together in the middle is make your block a different way. I draw my pattern like a circle within a circle. Cut on one of the spike lines to open the circle. Make sure to add seam allowance to both ends where the paper is cut apart. Roll up the extra paper and secure with a paper clip. Then start adding your fabric sections to the one end, unrolling a bit of paper and reclipping the pattern to keep it out of the way. When you have added all the sections, carefully line up the two ends, sew that last seam and you'll have a complete circle, which should lay flat. You can then applique a circle to the center opening.

yobrosew

A tutorial over on the Tutorial Forum of this explanation would be great. Hint, hint.