Circle Applique Tutorial

I love using Circles in my projects, and thought I would share how I get a nice turned under edge on my appliques. There are heaps of other tutorials and methods of making circles, this is just how I like to do them.

First - decide how big you want your circle. For my project, I needed 5inch circles (to fit in a 6inch quilt block). I have a circle template for the 5in I needed, however, I regularly use a compass to draw them or trace around whatever I can find around my house - eg. Baby formula tins, spools of thread, dinner plates.

Trace your circle onto some cardboard. I use cereal cartons as I always have at least one available (sometimes I dont wait for the kids to finish eating the contents of the box!)

Cut out all your circles and place on top of the fabric you are using. Roughly cut out leaving approx 1/2in around each circle. 

Using a large running stitch, gather the fabric around your circle - and tie it off. Now head over to your ironing board.

Press your circles. I like to do this a little bit at a time, carefully making sure not to press any folds into your nice curved edge. (I also use these covered discs on the backs when framing my Embroideries in the hoop!)

Snip the gathering thread and remove the cardboard circle.

Pin your circle onto your project and sew! 

Any questions, leave me a comment!

Kate x

-- My completed Penelope Quilt can be seen HERE

What are YOUR plans for 2012?

Can you believe we are almost a whole month into 2012??

After all the excitement and busyness of Christmas we took our kids away for a week of camping and I did zero crafting... Yep, I said ZERO! Nothing, nada, zilch..
I can't remember the last time I had a complete break from everything, but it was AWESOME!

I have returned from holiday creatively refreshed and almost bursting with excitement with all the things I want to make this year! I am finding so many inspiring projects online (esp on pinterest, Facebook groups and Craftster)
Towards the end of last year, I made plans to lay off the Craft Swaps in 2012 - now here I am, almost at the end of January and I have already committed myself to 3 Craftster swaps, 5 on Swap-bot, 2 personal swaps, a Quilt Bee and 2 Quilt-a-longs! At this rate, I should be done with my 50 in 2012 (another craft-a-long) by Easter!

-- Oh, and inbetween all the crafting, I'm learning how to Blog!!  Looking forward to sharing plenty of ideas, tips, tutorials and random crafty goodness here at Handmaden's in 2012.

Kate x


-- QAL linky goodness for everyone! Join me!

Cute Reindeer Monogram Ornaments!!

What you will need – felt, ribbon, sewing machine

I'm using an appliqué design that I found at planet applique but this technique will work for pretty much any shape you can think of!

I figured out I would need to do this shape in two parts, so that I could place the ribbon hanger easily without accidently sewing it to the antlers!!

Let's get started… Stitch out your appliqué on the felt. Cut out the pieces roughly – by sewing first, then trimming, it gives a nice clean edge to your ornaments . I wanted the year on mine, so I embroidered that on to the backing felt.

 The antlers are done first, so place the smaller backing felt piece directly behind the antlers . Don't worry about pinning, the felt stays where it is. If you have one of these 'open toe' feet, pop it on, makes it easier to see where your stitches are going…

 I'm using white thread for this part, if you think you might go over the edges a little bit, maybe try the clear monofilament stuff on top with a bobbin thread to match the underside. Stitch all around the antlers only.

 Trim around the antlers, make the edge as wide or narrow as you like – I like 3-4mm on mine. Cut a length of ribbon for your hanger - 20cm should do it – and place directly behind the antlers. Pop your back panel over the ribbon (centre the date detail) and put a pin in from the front to make sure your ribbon doesn't move.

Now sew around the letter.

Trim up your edges (be careful not to cut your ribbon!) and you are done!!

Pop one on a card or use as a gift tag for a pressie!!

 

Kate x

--kwiltsbykate--