Circles and other shapes – 2016.12.18

In January, I’ll be teaching a 2-day workshop on my Circles technique.  I teach participants how to design and create their own freezer paper patterns, and demonstrate a variety of techniques I use to create my circle quilts.

In a 1-day workshop, most participants complete at least 2 (and sometimes 4 or 5!) circle blocks of their own design.  At the January workshop we will have the benefit of an additional day, which will allow participants to work on bigger and/or more complex circle quilts.   I also want to show how the techniques can be used for other shapes – not just circles.

I have a few class samples of circles, but now I am working on some samples showing how one of the techniques can be used for other shapes.

I made a quick design in MS Paint, then drew it out on a 12 x 12 inch piece of freezer paper.  I cut apart the freezer paper and pressed it to the back of the fabrics.

This is a high-level explanation of one of the techniques I teach in the workshop.  I reassembled the pattern by overlapping the seam allowances.  Working from the back, I stitched in the gap between the paper templates.  Then from the front, I trimmed each seam allowance very close to stitching.  This leaves raw edges, which I  covered with thin black bias tape.  It’s fusible tape, so I pressed it into place.  The tricky part was getting nice sharp corners without burning my fingers!

I love how my tools are the same colors as the fabrics.  I think this is a good illustration of some of my favorite colors!

Here are all of the class samples.  If they look wrinkled, it’s because most of them still have the freezer paper ironed to the back, so I can use them at the workshop to illustrate the various steps I use to construct them.

Thanks for stopping by.  I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.