I saw this on youtube. It might be in German, but in the background, you hear all sorts of different languages. Watch the entire thing - at the end, it all "comes together"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuH3-BuSdPo

Very interesting. I've also seen it done by appliqueing a circle in the middle and then cutting it into fourths.

Yes Rapture. I was looking for the very easiest way - the original way was way too difficult for me. Do you think she was using freezer paper on the video, and then starch - and was that white glue?? -' sure wish I spoke the language!

I wish this was in English as well, as that sure is a perfect circle!

I made a quilt last year which was all circles (see picture below) :-D

1. Cut out exact size of circle you want from freezer paper.
2. Iron this onto fabric, trim around leaving 1/4" seam allowance.
3. Peel off and turn freezer paper over so sticky side is up pin back in place.
4. Using iron push edge of fabric over freezer paper, it will adhere to it,(no need to snip into fabric) keep iron at right angles to paper and you will get a perfect circle.
5. Place on background fabric, pin in place.
6. Use a straight stitch, sew as close to edge as possible.
7. Turn over and trim away inner background fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance.
8. Remove freezer paper.

Your block is complete!!

I use a small piece of wood on my ironing table, as I think you get a much sharper edge when you are ironing the edge down and can 'hear' a small crunch as it bonds to the freezer paper.

You can re-use the back ground fabric to make slightly smaller circles, so no waste!!

Have fun! :-D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-22794-1.htm

Yes I think you are correct...frezer paper,spray the can starch in lid to make liquid, and craft glue.
Then you sew around it to finish it.( lift up and sew between clipped area)

Izy - that quilt is downright BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

Cheers Stitchinwitch, glad you like it, my son and his wife sleep under it every night!

:D

That is too much work for the results. You can obtain a like affect by sewing the 4 outside pieced together to make a square with an open middle then sew a circle into the open middle with an edging of large rick-rack or lace, etc.The enclosed picture is my interpertation of a potholder for the drunkard patch design. I could also be used for a block, but with a different method of piecing.

I would think she probably used applique glue so it would dissolve, craft glue would be hard wouldn't it?

I didn't know of anything called applique glue - have YOU used it? How would you rate it?

Seems to me any craft glue will work. I use Elmer's Craft Bond. Just spray a tiny spray to make piece stay in place umtil I applique.

I haven't used it. just bought some today. But the ladies at my guild that applique swear by it.

this technique is not better or faster. it has many more steps than a drunkard's path and it's a circle, not a drunkard's path. they also didn't show you how you have to stitch around the round snipped section by lifting the flat surface with the hole a tiny bit at a time while you work your way around the entire hole, lifting with one hand and steering the fabric with the other. been there, done that. only once and never again.

imo, it's a much better idea to practice and learn how to curve-piece the traditional way with no glue or freezer paper. i think sometimes we tend to over-technique ourselves and forget the craft of piecing.

Exactly. Try working with scraps, after about 2 or 3 you get the hang of it. Try bigger sizes first. Small ones are a little more difficult but with practice you can conquer them.

I like that methiod. Thank you and God bless.

Thank you


:wink:

Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson's Quilt show had an episode recently that showed how to do this method with freezer paper and glue.

I sew in the seams then go back and applique the curve. For me it is quicker and easier.

"I sew in the seams then go back and applique the curve. For me it is quicker and easier."

applique, would you have more information or a link on your method of doing the circles.

i don't understand. if you applique the curve, why sew the curved seam?

I just cut out the black squares, then the curved piece which I glued to the square using Elmers' Washable School Glue. Stitched up all the straight seams then went back and satin stitched all the curves down. Real easy.

so, you don't cut that hole in the back? you just machine applique?

Thank you for the reply on how you did yours, love the pattern.

I have done that also, especially when I make a pillow or potholder. Not only easier but sturdier.

No hole in the back. Straight seams stitched as usual, then just satin stitch the curves.

I have one other suggestion that you might like to try. Sometimes when you applique the circle it seems to not lay flat. I remedy that before I applique it to the square. I cut a piece of batting the same size as the circle, baste it or use Elmer's Glue to hold together, then place on square in the middle. I determine the middle of the square, I snip a tiny piece at the point. The enclosed is a picture of potholder ready for finishing the binding and putting the loop on.

I took the front part of the potholder. Found the center of my circle pattern & placed it over the snipped hole and drew a circle around the pattern. I, then placed the circle of batting inside the circle using Elmer's Glue, then placed the fabric circle on top of that. It is then ready for the stitching. If you don't want any other embellishment around the fabric circle, cur it slightly larger than the outline and turn over the edge. If you want embellishment as I did with my potholder, attach either to top or bottom of fabric piece. Pin all pieces on the square so everything is stable and won't slip. Use a straight stitch or decorative one, which ever you prefer to attach the circle. If my embellishment has a finished edge, I attach the circle to the pot holder first then use the decorative stitch to put that on. Sounds difficult, but actually is quite easy and so much fun. In fact, you can use any shape you want, doesn't have to be a circle. If you are making a Drunkard's Path quilt, just cut your block square, applique the the circle to it, finish the circle and your block is done.

If you are stitching a curve for whatever reason and are having a problem keeping it flat, run a basting thread around the circle so you can ease in the fabric.

That is a very interesting idea, but I have a question. What size of a square do you start out with. If it is a 12 inch square, when cut into fourth you would have 4-6 inch squares, Correct?

I like that idea.

[quote=Virginia]I applique after doing the straight seams because (using the satin stitch) I don't want the extra bulk in the seam.

I love your St I just lost mine in June. Gail

This is a Sharon Schamber method. She shocked the traditional quilters by saying she glues her quilts first. LOL. she had a video tutorial on her website how to do this. I don't know if it's still available, she changes the videos every so often.