Circle Block

by JOANN |

Item # 42337495P600
Intermediate 3-5 Hours
SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
  • Rotary Cutter
  • Fabric Scissors
  • 18"x 24" Cutting Mat
  • 6"x 24" Ruler
  • 12 1/2" Square Ruler
  • Basic Sewing Supplies
  • 1/4yd Fabric, Light Teal Tonal Batik
  • 1/4yd Fabric, Navy and White Dot
  • 1/4yd Fabric, Large Print on Medium
  • 1/4yd Fabric, Light Green Leaves on White
  • Iron & Ironing Board

DIRECTIONS:
To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.

FABRIC KEY:
  • A2 is Light Teal Tonal Batik
  • A5 is Navy and White Dot
  • B1 is Large Print on Medium
  • B2 is Light Green Leaves on White
 
  1. CIRCLE BLOCK CUTTING CHART:
    • All strips will be cut across fabric width (selvage to selvage) making strip length 42-44".
    • Strips will be sub-cut to squares or rectangles as indicated.
    • Cut one 6 1/4" strip.
    • Sub-cut five 6 1/4"x 8" rectangles from each of the four fabrics listed below. *
    • Fabric A2 (Light Teal Tonal Batik)
    • Fabric A5 (Navy and White Dot)
    • Fabric B1 (Large print on Medium)
    • Fabric B2 (Light Green Leaves on White)
    • *If fabric width is less than 41" (not including selvages), you may need to cut two 6 1/4" strips.

  2. MAKING THE TEMPLATES:Diagram 1
    • To find the downloadable template, click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
    • Print out pattern for templates at 100%.
    • Measure to check that the 1" box measures 1" on your printed pattern page.
    • Cut out the circle and background templates by cutting about 1/4" outside the lines.
    • Glue the template pieces onto cardboard.
    • Cut out the templates by cutting on the lines carefully so you don't cut into the shapes.

  3. TRACING THE TEMPLATES ON TO FABRIC:Diagram 2Diagram 3Diagram 4
    • Trace a circle and background template on the back side of all five 6 1/4" x 8" fabric rectangles from fabrics A2, A5, B1 and B2.
    • Once all pieces have been cut, pair the B1 and B2 pieces and A2 and A5 pieces.
    • Cut out the fabric pieces using sharp fabric scissors (not a rotary cutter).

  4. PIN CIRCLE AND BACKGROUND PIECES TOGETHER:Diagram 5Diagram 6
    • Fold a circle piece in half (RST) and background piece (WST).
    • Lightly press with a dry iron a small crease in the center of the arch on each.
    • Match the creases and pin a background piece to a circle piece at the center of the arch.
    • Pin the left and right sides of the pieces together.
    • Place pins in between.

  5. SEWING CURVED SEAMS:
    • Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance throughout project.
    • Sew across a fabric leader (a small piece of fabric folded in half once), without clipping so the leader will be connected to the pieces to be sewn next by the threads. This will keep corners from bunching.
    • Position the circle/background pairs under the presser foot with the right edge of the fabric lined up with the right edge of the presser foot.
    • Remove the pin and begin sewing, carefully removing pins as you go. Do not sew over pins.
    • When you get to the last pin, stop sewing, hold corners in place with stitch ripper or stiletto. Remove pin and sew to the end. This will help to keep corners together.
    • Continue sewing the remaining pairs, one right another without clipping threads in between.

  6. SEW AND PRESS FIVE OF EACH PAIR:Diagram 7Diagram 8Diagram 9Diagram 10
    • A5 Background/A2 Circle, press seam allowances toward A5.
    • A5 Circle/A2 Background, press seam allowance toward A2.
    • B2 Background/B1 Circle, press seam allowance toward B1.
    • B2 Circle/B1 Background, press seam allowance toward B2.

  7. SEWING A CIRCLE BLOCK:Diagram 11Diagram 12Diagram 13
    • Arrange the pairs into sets of two. Sew and press seam allowances as shown.
    • Sew sets together and press seam allowances toward Fabric B2 Circle and B1 Circle.
    • Finger press seam allowances as shown and press in place with an iron.

  8. TRIMMING BLOCKS TO SIZE:Diagram 14Diagram 15Diagram 16Diagram 17Diagram 18Diagram 19
    • Read all instructions below before trimming your blocks.
    • Divide your quilt block measurement in half to find the center point of reference on the 12 1/2" square ruler. The example for this quilt block size will be 10 1/2" with a 5 1/4" center point.
    • Note: If your quilt block average is 10 1/4", your center point would be 10 1/8".
    • Position ruler with number 1 on the right side. Use a marker to make a small dot for your center point.
    • Lay your quilt block on a cutting mat right side up. Use a piece of tape to mark the top left corner of your quilt block. Line up the center dot on the ruler with the center of the quilt block.
    • Adjust so that center vertical and horizontal lines line up with the center seams.
    • Check to see that the space between the edge of the circle and the edge of where your block will be cut is the same on all four sides. Example shows 1", but this can vary depending on average block size. What matters is that all sides are equal on your block.
    • Once the quilt block is as close to being centered as possible, use a rotary cutter to trim the right and top edges.
    • Turn your quilt block 180 so the corner with the tape is now on the bottom right.
    • Position ruler so that the 10 1/2" lines on the grid line up with the trimmed edges of the quilt block. Use a rotary cutter to trim the right and top edges.

  9. SEW A ROW OF CIRCLE BLOCKS:Diagram 20Diagram 21Diagram 22Diagram 23Diagram 24
    • When pinning blocks together, position Blocks 1, 3 and 5 so the Fabric A5 background piece is on the top left corner.
    • Position Blocks 2 and 4 so the Fabric A2 background piece is on the top left corner.
    • Pin and sew the blocks together in order as shown below. Press seam allowances towards blocks 2 and 4.

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