The next step in assembling the Crop Circles blocks is to sew your four sets of wedges together. I set my paired fabrics for the wedges next to the machine and chain stitched them together, first in eight pairs of two.
Then in four sets of four.
Last, attach that fifth wedge on each of your four sections.
Pressing seams open has never been easier since I discovered the technique of heavily pre-starching my fabric before cutting and sewing. I am a BIG fan of this technique and will absolutely be doing it in the future.
Now, here comes the tricky bit. I was in a complete frazzle trying to figure out how to turn that upper raw edge under a perfect quarter inch. I messed about with template plastic, and trying to iron around it. I played with double layers of freezer paper, I tried more starch. Ugh. Made a mess, burned my fingers, wasted template plastic (to say nothing of time).
So, when in doubt, go to the experts. I emailed my friend Thelma Cupcake, who made the test pattern on the cover of the Crop Circles pattern. "Thelma, how on earth did you get those edges to turn over so perfectly?" She emailed me right back and told me what she did. You may be as surprised as I was.
She said she top stitched a quarter inch away from the raw edge. When she pressed it under, it went down evenly and neatly all along that curve of the top stitching.
Honest to Pete. That is it.
That one little tip is definitely worth the price of admission, I tell you. It worked like magic. Not just once, but with every single wedge I have done so far.
Tomorrow I will share my method of making really good circles for the appliquéd center.
I do the same as Thelma any time I need to turn an edge. It's really great when you turn a bag or pouch thru a spot in the lining. It keeps the opening from stretching as well as giving you an easy edge to turn
Posted by: Susan | May 12, 2015 at 05:31 AM
You're right Nicole...that little tip is worth the price of admission!! Love it!!! It's one of those things that causes you to say to yourself, "Now why didn't I think of that?" Kudos to Thelma for those of us who didn't think of it :o)
Posted by: Susan | May 12, 2015 at 06:14 AM
I spotted this pattern in pictures of Quilt Market and fell in love with it. Becuase I'm not sure I want to start another project at this time - but I'll probably cave - I am following your progress with baited breath! Thanks again for sharing this with us!!
Posted by: Carol O'Dell | May 12, 2015 at 06:38 AM
Stellar suggestion!!! Susan's related idea of top stitching those pillow or bag openings is also brilliant.
Thanks to all!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | May 12, 2015 at 06:52 AM
And that, my friend, is why Thelma Cupcake is a quilting rock star! Definitely worth the price of admission…and then some! I'm enjoying your progress & tips on this pattern!
Posted by: Jan | May 12, 2015 at 07:41 AM
With all the starching, do you have to wash the quilt when it's done? Thanks for all the great information!
Karen L.
Posted by: Karen L. | May 12, 2015 at 08:10 AM
Thanks for sharing this simple and absolute fantastic trick! Will keep it in mind and definitly use it:-)
Posted by: Hildy | May 12, 2015 at 08:46 AM
BRILLIANT!!!!!!
Posted by: ina | May 12, 2015 at 09:39 AM
I'm glad you'll show us how to do the circles. I have a dresden plate quilt waiting for it's circles but have been too chicken!!! Thelma's a genius, for sure.
Posted by: Miss Jean | May 12, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Wow, love that tip, something I never would have thought of! It's coming along! Thanks Nicole for taking the time to help us out!
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | May 12, 2015 at 11:13 AM
I find myself wondering on so many patterns like Crop Circles or similar ones why the quarter circles are not just pieced in instead of being appliqued. It seems to me that piecing would be easier than applique. For me, at least. I realize that's not how the patterns are written, and I wonder why.
Posted by: Brenda | May 18, 2015 at 08:26 PM