Ohmygosh...
(after pic attached)
Is this correct?
Is it CLOSE to correct?
You folks may just be miracle workers.
It's not perfect, but it's way better than I expected on my first try.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
(doing a quiet happy dance in living room while family sleeps)
Lori



Hi folks,
I fell in love with the paper pieced New York beauty blocks on Ula Lenz website and managed to get a start on the first block. Then I came to the center - which is a quartered circle.
Um...how the heck do I sew this thing in? The instructions on Ula's site are not in English and I'm not much of a seamstress. Does anyone have any e-a-s-y hints they could kindly post?
:oops: :roll: :oops:
Thanks,
Lori

The only thing I can come up with is to use lots of pins!

I agree, and sew it slowly.
It's beautiful! Keep us posted.

Seems it would be similar to how the "football" centers are sewn into the Wedding Circles. You have to ease & fit the curved edges, carefully to avoid stretching, and pin, pin, pin.

I would like to do these blocks some time in the future, so I will be looking at the answers that you get.

mark the half way point and quarter way points on both the center quarter circle and the matching circle on the PP section, match and pin on the marks then when sewing, ease in the excess. Be sure to pin the ends of the curves as well. You'll get the hang of it after doing a couple. Remember that the seamlines have to come out even, there will be a slight ruffle in the seam allowance of the quarter circle but that will ease in when you press it after stitching.

Edited...to feel a little better, lightly mark in the seam line on both the pieces then lay one over the other matching the seam lines you marked and you;'ll see that they fit together....really!

Find the centers of both curves, pin, then pin the two ends, then ease and pin the inbetween part, and sew. You can also make tiny slits(Do not go past the seam allowance with these slits) to help ease if needed. Most important have fun...

Sorry Looks like a repeat of the above. Didn't see that post.

ktbb has the answer it will fit sew slowly with needle down if you can on your machine

I have made a number of Mariner's Compasses. I put the 4 segments together, then press like crazy and applique a whole circle onto the rays. I find it easier to pin a piece of muslin behind the opening and some of the rays, to stabilize the shape while I am pinning the circle in place. I also run a line of basting close to the edge and ease it somewhat before pinning and appliqueing.

I know that NYB is made in 4ths, but I think I would use the same general idea, since it is so easy to get something other than a true arc.

BTW, several years ago a friend with terminal cancer complained that he'd always wanted a compass, a pattern I'd never done. I made one with a somewhat wonky center, but he enjoyed it alot.

After reading all of your suggestions about pin, pin, pin, the curved pieces, I can't help but so back to garment construction and wonder if easing the curve with a large gathering stitch, like you would a sleeve cap, would not be easier? Just a thought!!