I am trying to teach myself how to make an apple core quilt. I'm not having much luck so far. :-(

After I sew the pieces together, they do not lie flat.....they ripple. I'm hoping my photos will give you an idea of what I am doing so you can help me figure out what I am doing wrong. Should I be sewing the apple core blocks in rows? Should I be clipping & turning all four sides of the block?

Would one or more of you lovely people please help me figure out what the problem is? Thank you in advance!

You need to clip wherever you have a curve, so, in this case, that would be all sides. Also, when sewing on the curves, it's very, very important not to stretch at all. I'm sure there are others that have more helpful advice also.

I am confused, if that square is 1", your seam allowance looks larger than 1/4". It is kind of hard for me to tell. I am really not sure as I have never made one, it just looks larger than 1/4". I really don't starch much, but I wonder if this is one of those patterns where it would really help.
Good luck, I am off to bed. There will be lots of ladies on in several hours and they will be able to help you.

Thanks, wolfkitty! I had a feeling I was supposed to be clipping all four curves.

You are correct, Sadiemae. My seam allowance was larger than 1/4". I was cutting them with a 1/2" seam allowance because I didn't think it would matter if it was being turned under. Guess it does. LOL!

oh yes it does matter. only 1/4" seam allowance otherwise they won't fit together. Remember.....1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise indicated which is almost never.

Clip little V's on curves, it helps, no stretching, and make sure you match centers to start your pinning.

I would really starch it, to help to prevent it from stretching. :thumbup:

Are you English Paper Piecing them? Mine did that, but when I took the paper out, they flattened nicely.

Are you piecing on the machine or by hand? This pattern is really made for hand piecing. Everything goes together much nicer by doing it by hand. You just start at the end and gradually work your way around easing it together as you go. Be sure to keep that near perfect 1/4 inch seam allowance. That is the key to making everything match up right. I have done two of these and helped a couple of friends on theirs. They are great looking. The ones with a few bright colors really pop. Good luck. I wish I had a video camera. I'd just show you how to do it. With hand piecing you don't have to clip curves. Good luck! Keep us updated.

and like DP's, match the centers and ends/edges. then sew.

Thanks for this thread - the apple core is a pattern that I someday want to tackle (added to my list of Lone Star, Wedding Ring and Cathedral Window). I am interested in hearing all the tips and tricks that others might have!

I do wonder if the added seam allowance might be causing it to pucker?

I just learned curves myself , what I did was sew two pieces together then press and clip. I found if I pressed as I went it was helpful in making sure it was laying flat and at that time i could check for ripples and puckering in my seam.

I didn't clip any curves on mine and I used a rotary cutter on a plastic template. All the pieces fit perfectly together. No rippling. As someone said, it's because your pieces aren't fitting and there's stretching on the bias going on.

Can we see the back? That would give some clues?

I've found it helpful to trace the stitching lines on the fabric.

I've also found it helpful to mark the "half-way" point on each seam and pin those together.

I'm thinking that this would be a lot easier to hand sew than machine sew. Then stop at the end of each seam. Then it would be easier to press.

Also, it it a LOT more manageable with just the 1/4 inch seam allowances.

I have never done this pattern, but have made curves and have some ideas. The outer curves don't need to be clipped, just the inny curves, but then you have to press towards the inny curves. It will lay nicely. Also, your seam allowances need to be 1/4 inch, but only for consistency of your stitching. Since you need to start and stop 1/4 inch away from the edge, if your seam allowances are all 1/4 inch, they will all fit at the end. If you do them larger, just remember to treat them all the same, measurements wise and again, it will fit nicely. Last, curves always need a little persuasive pressing. Starch will help persuade them to lay the way you want, or a spray bottle. Hope this helps.

If you want a really easy way to do this, go to Eleanor Burns website and watch her video:

http://quiltinaday.com/theater/egg/egg1.html

It's the video called: Old Maid's Puzzle and Double Axehead. Axehead is another name for Apple Core.

Video number is 2705. She shows how to make two blocks in this video and the first one is the Old Maid's Puzzler or Drunkards path.

Okay, I just noticed something. You're going about it all wrong. Do one row at a time. 1 up, 1 across until you get it as long as you want it. Then put the next row together the same way only start 1 across, 1 up until you get the same number of pieces. Then when you get two rows made like this you can sew them together matching your seams. Do you follow me? If not, I'll do a couple and take pictures and show you. Also your seams should start on one side and end on the other.

Another link for help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeNuwv0-SLc

In your second picture, your seam allowances are not all the same. Some of the corners are off, and this will affect your piecing. Some of your sides will be too short, and that will stretch on your other blocks.

It doesn't really matter whether you use a 1/4" or a 1/2", but it has to be a consistent 1/4" or 1/2" seam :wink:

Be very careful, you have bias edges... handle them carefully or they will stretch and distort.

a picture says a thousand words. So, I put these together to explain what I was trying to say.

use lots of steam to shrink it down

I seen you have received a lot of very good help. I am so glad we have good friends here to help us. I certainly can't off any advice but I did take note as to what was said as I hope to make one someday, I already have my homespuns and plaids ready to start.

I am machine piecing and I'm pretty sure they are being stretched in the process. I'm not very good at hand piecing. Maybe I should work on it? I want to thank all of you for your advice and help! I really appreciate it. I'll try out the different suggestions and let you know what happens.:-)

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that and post photos!!! You have been very helpful! :thumbup:

Thanks so much!!!

I went to the web site and saw that there was supposed to be a video - but I wasn't able to get it to run - what do I need to do next?

[make an apple core quilt. I'm not having much luck so far. :-(

After I sew the pieces together, they do not lie flat.....they ripple. I'm hoping my photos will give you an idea of what I am doing so you can help me figure out what I am doing wrong. Should I be sewing the apple core blocks in rows? Should I be clipping & turning all four sides of the block?

Would one or more of you lovely people please help me figure out what the problem is? Thank you in advance![/quote]


I went on line and found the template and the instructions at the following site: http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore46.html

I've never made the apple core pattern but have done many circles. When doing them, you must always clip
the curves, and take care not to stretch the curves to fit.
They WILL fit, even though you might think they will not.
Do the seams just inches at a time slowly and carefully. When done right...they are beautiful. You can do it.

Maybe try starching the fabric, this will help prevent it from stretching as much.

Me Too.

I think 95% of the reason why your pieces aren't laying flat is because the template/pattern is faulty.

The seam lines should line up - and these don't.

If you want to try this, get a different template. There is no way that I could get the sewn together pieces to lay flat using that template.

i bought an acrylic one at a quilt show and never had a problem. then gave the ones i sewed together away. but i'll make more one day.

Thank you for letting me know that I'm not as bad at piecing curves as I thought I was. :wink: I ended up tossing the paper template from Quilter's Cache and buying a clear plastic template at Joanns. I tried a couple of pieces tonight and they are fitting together just fine with no rippling. Whew!

Try this video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeNuwv0-SLc&feature=fvwk

Englih paper piecing for me too! Just seems faster and much more accurate.

Thursday, Sept 29. I did find the pattern for the Apple Core on the web. I think this would be an excellent "Movie Watcher" quilt. Going to try it. It might just end up being a pillow

I made an apple core quilt and I did not clip any of the edges. What I did was - finger press a crease in the middle of every side. Match those up when putting together. I did pin the beginning, middle and end of each piece when putting them with the next one. I also sewed them together in long rows and then put the rows together. I found that much easier than not doing rows. I agree with whoever thought your seam allowances were to big. One more thing - spray starch is your friend doing this quilt. Spray the pices before you put them together and that will also help with stretching.
Once you get into a rythm doing it, it will seem much easier.

I have never tried an apple core, but when I have curves to do..... After clipping, I sew from the middle out on the curve.