Technique help: Applique circles Not fusable
 

I do a lot of applique. I usually use fusible (steam a seam 2). I'd like to try doing applique with turned under edges but how to make a good circle?

I know the technique of sewing a facing to the circle. I'd like to try to the technique where you iron under a mylar?? circle template and that creates a perfect circle.

1. Where do you get the circle forms to iron around? I'd need a wide variety of circles.

2. Do you have any other methods you'd like?

Thanks folks.
Mary Jo

Karen Kay Buckely has circle bases of all sizes here:
https://www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php?cat=2

I like this video of how to make circles using alum. foil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2INxkVfGyqE

I think the late Tom Russell made a lot of circles in his quilts & it seems like I saw a video of him showing how to make them but could not find it on the web.

I've never made applique circles but maybe some of this info. will help you.

Yes.
Here are some of his videos on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ussell+quilter

edit to say: oops...these are mostly trailers. It looks like his videos are in the archives at The Quilt
Show here: https://thequiltshow.com/

These are their archive links: (you have to scroll down a teeny bit):
https://thequiltshow.com/component/s...e=all&limit=20

I found a lot of tutorials listed here:
https://www.google.com/search?client...rcle+appliques

When I applique circles, I use a long running stitch just inside the edge, leaving long tails with the thread. Then I place a circle of mylar (whatever size I need) and pull the ends of the thread over the mylar circle. That draws the edges up, and when you iron the circles, the mylar forms a sharp crease to sew to. I usually make multiples, and leave the mylar in place until I am ready to applique them. This helps to keep the edges sharp.
You can make circle templates of whatever size you need by drawing around the outside edge of any cirlce-shape. I have used coins, glasses, bowls, coaster lids, cd's etc to get the size I wanted.

I use a compass (school) to make my circles and use template or thin plastic or cardboard.

Thank you. I use a compass too. I will try the cardboard method and then if I decide I need something more precise move to mylar. Off to look at all the videos.

I do it like Nanac but I just use watercolor paper for my template. It is like card stock. I also give them a shot of spray starch after ironing and removing my template then give them another pressing. The technique worked great for me. Made this entire quilt using this method and working on a 2nd one. In the linked quilt all of my circles are 5" but you can do any size circle. The key is to make sure you cut out your template accurately.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictures-f5/showcase-asian-fabrics-made-quilted-feline-fanatic-t207883.html

I believe The Stencil Co has a package of assorted size circles. For large circles you can use a cd disk. If you make your own, be sure and get no melt plastic.

After I draw the thread up around the mylar, I usually iron the circle with steam or Best Press. I let it cool (sometimes overnight) and then remove the mylar and sew with an applique stitch.

One of the things I've done when I didn't have any mylar is to make a thick template using freezer paper. I iron 3 or 4 layers together and then cut my shape. You can do the running thread thing, spray starch and then remove the template.

I like the method where you sew backing fabric around the circle, then cut a slit in the backing fabric and turn it inside out. There are lots of ways to make applique circles that don't cost much of anything.

I absolutely love Karen Kay Buckley's perfect circles! They are heavy, and stand up to high heat. I tried making my own out of mylar, but they warped and melted. I also tried freezer paper, but when I made my circles I used starch and heat, and the freezer paper seemed to lose it's "edge" from the spray starch. I ordered Karen's circles, and love the way they turned out. I'm finishing up my version of a Country Whig Rose quilt that has 104 turned edge circles on it.

I use Karen Kay Buckley’s and love them

I use multiple layers of freezer paper to make my circle templates, and compass or protractor I forget which it is called has a pivot point and a place for a pencil. I do a lot of circles. I also do a reverse applique if the backing isn't going to be pieced. I use freezer paper for that too. Press it to the back of the fabric (background) cut a hole out of the middle of the circle spot leaving about 3/8 to 1/2 inch, notch it all the way around press the tabs back to form a folded edge, let it cool then remove the freezer paper, place it over the "circle" fabric use a little stick glue to hold things in place long enough to stitch around the edge. That way there is no "bulk" under the edge on your circle.

I use either Karen Kay Buckley circles or make my own using heat resistant template plastic. It is difficult to cut smooth edge on circles, especially the smaller ones, so I use a nail file to smooth out the little peaks that happen when you cut.
I make my fabric circle a little larger than my template and do a running stitch around. I then use a small paint brush to brush starch on the edges and then draw the edges up by pulling on the thread. Press with a hot iron, pop out the template when dry and perfect circle.

if you get Mylar, be sure it is heat proof. good luck on your circles. they can be fun.

I use empty cereal boxes, cut the size circle I want, usually determined by the size saucers,plates, etc, cover in foil. Cut your fabric 1/4" - 1/2" larger than the cir le you want to make, run a line of basting stitches around the outside of fabric. Once you have your basting done, place onto foil covered circle and draw up thread snugly and press. I leave basting thread in until partially sewn down. Has work well for me for years. Whatever way you choose, have fun with it!

Once I started using Appliquick tools and techniques I won't do applique any other way. I get perfect circles from 1/4" round to as big as I want. The tools are excellent. I use stabilizer instead of fusible for most of the applique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQdaN6hfUI

I save the cardboard circles from the tops of frozen ice cream cones as templates.

Olfa circle cutter. Perfect circle cutter up to 8 1/2 inch circles.

If you need templates, you can use washers for small circles, cups, plates, etc. I use stencil material or bacon inserts. If I am doing a lot of circles, I use my accuquilt cutter and if I am only wanting a few I use my scan n cut. Then I use a Appliquick tools or a Shaping tool made for 3-d decoupage and lots of starch.

Washers. Get them at the hardware store in any size you need/want. Can withstand the heat of the iron: do not melt (haha). Easy to keep track of: convenient hole to put a pin thought all to keep together. :-)

That is my method also.