Me again -- I was asked for some clarification on this rickrack technique. Again, I call it the Eleanor Burns method --
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktzb2wMMwzc
Fan segment starts around minute 18.
Here's that same block as before, showing how when you flip it, the rickrack stays flat, it is the fabric that bends. On my vintage machine I had a foot to apply trims, don't think I have that same sort with my modern machine, so I pin the rickrack in place. I don't like sewing over pins so I pull them as I go over.
First you position the arc over the foundation block. I will have a guide for me to easily be consistent, any bobbles and wobles and the fan being slightly off just get trimmed even to the square. You stitch in the ditch of the rickrack and the fan blades, it is plenty secure. Then you put on the pie piece and so the same -- and voila! finished fan block.
It gives a super nice smooth curve easy and fast even. Maybe not every project suited to rickrack but once you've done it, it grows on you! I am also using a John Flynn template kit for the blades and pies.