Sunday 18 August 2013

Things are blooming

Those plum flower buds I photographed last week have now started to bloom..


and so has my Aunty Green...

Auntie Green's Garden quilt

Auntie Green's Garden quilt


Auntie Green's Garden quilt

Some people have asked how I do my circles, basically I just treat them same as my other appliqué pieces. However I don't trace them straight off the pattern, instead I use this plastic 'ruler' thingy that I think belonged to one of my sons when they were doing high school maths (I think they're easily available at newsagents or office supply places). It's quite handy as it has ovals, diamonds and other shapes in a range of sizes. First I find a matching sized template on the pattern.



Then I trace around the inside of this template shape. I find it easier tracing around the inside of these template shapes rather than around the outside of a 'normal' template, especially with small circles.I have started using a Frixion pen to do this. 
I know there is some debate about this pen but I'm giving it a go.


 When I'm drawing on the fabric, I have a black mat (mine was made in Japan by Kawaguchi) underneath, which prevents the fabric from slipping around. I then cut around the traced circle with a small seam seam allowance. Depending on the project, I sometimes only cut the seam allowance a centimetre or so in front as I am going to prevent fraying but with AG I have been doing a lot of auditioning, wanting to see what the shapes and fabric combinations look like so I have cut the circles out completely.


I then use a small dot of basting glue on the wrong side, I have been using Roxanne's.



With my project on the light box I then stick the circle onto the background fabric. I have used pins and basting (especially for larger 'paper-cut'style appliqué  before and have used glue not always successfully in the past but Irene is a big fan and she convinced me to use it for AG and it has been great, especially for all the separate pieces and small circles in this quilt.


I do often rehearse first with pins and I'm keeping in the odd pin so that I don't loose pieces on the bus.

Auntie Green's Garden quilt

Anyway I use a fine cotton thread (sometimes I use silk) close to the colour of the piece to be appliqued (this is why I like my donut) and a long fine straw needle (no. 11).


I begin with a knot, wrap the thread 3-4 times around the needle and pull through.


I start by taking the needle just through the appliqué piece on the seam line. 


Then needle turn, on such a small circle I do relatively small stitches.


See how close my thumbnail is to the edge (didn't realise how close til I saw my pics).


Half way there.


Almost finished... 


...just tuck it all in. 


Then through to the back where I do one of those knots that I learnt how to do for hand-piecing.



Then tuck in the tail and snip off the end.



All finished, just need to iron away the Frixion pen marks.


Which I did once I'd finished the other two close by so that I didn't lose their markings (learnt that one by mistake).


Ta dah! 
These are possibly the smallest circles I've ever made at only 3/8" across.

Auntie Green's Garden quilt

As with any technique this is just what suits me.
Cheers
Carole

16 comments:

  1. Your Aunty Green has grown since the last post..thank you for your easy to read explanation for your circles..I found it very interesting..I have shied away from too much applique in the past but looking at your project certainly sparks some interest

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  2. It's looking fantastic Carole. Thanks for sharing your technique, they sure are tiny circles. I use a similar method, but sometimes I do a running stitch around the seam allowance to gather the circle and press it before hand.

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  3. Looking great, thank you for your explanation on making such small circles. I do the running stitch method same as Susan but will give your way a try :-))))

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  4. Love watching this one progress! Thanks for the circle tutorial too.

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  5. Thanks for all the photos. You use a long needle, I use a short one, but your work is much neater than mine.

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  6. Oh it is looking wonderful! thanks for the photos of your method - you make it look easy but it does take quite some skill in needleturn to have such a lovely finish - well done!
    Hilda

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  7. Interesting seeing the photos showing how you do your circles. In the past, I have tried it similar to the way you do it. I ended up with too much fabric at the end trying to turn it under. Now that I am more experienced at applique, I should give it another try. I prep my circles by doing a running stitch around the seam allowance and gathering it up over a heavy paper circle, pressing, remove the paper and stitching to the proper place.

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  8. Great tutorial Carol thanks for taking the time to show us. Your work is lovely to look at always. Cheers Glenda FNQLD Australia.

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  9. Excellent tutorial. Thanks for the photos. Looks like a lovely quilt

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  10. Excellent tutorial! Photos are great and very clear what to do. Thank you!

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  11. Great tutorial for that tiny circle! I admire your needleturn!
    Amira @ http://littlemushroomcap.blogspot.com

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  12. Oh, my! This is looking GREAT, Carole!

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  13. Dear Carole, I just found your blog on EstherLui's site today. You are wonderful. Your circles are exactly how I have always done mine but lately the circles are so small I am doubting myself. You have given me courage to continue. And your fabric choices, oh my. Again wonderful. Thank you! Joyce

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  14. Carole -- your applique is just beautiful ! Bravo and thanks for the tutorial on your circles...

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  15. Your work is so beautiful. Love that quilt.
    Bunny

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  16. Beautiful work! Love the colours! Thanks for showing how you make those circles

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