Sister's Choice Quilts

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Method for Applique Circles

When I was working on my Dresden Plates applique project a few months back, I had prepped three or four circles for stitching, using the clear plastic heat resistant circle templates, starch and a running stitch.  It takes time to prep this way, but the circles turn out just perfect.  There are tons of tutorials on this method, using cardboard or plastic templates.  Here is a link to a review of that method if you would like to check it out:  traditional circle applique method

So if that was working for me, why would I change to a different method?  Well, I happened to see a very cool video that Craftsy put out featuring a method Sarah Fielke developed.  It looked so much faster, I just had to try it.  You totally skip the hand basting step and use aluminum foil to shape the circle around the template instead!  I just had to experiment and see if it worked.

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The first step is to assemble what you need:  cut out fabric circle, heat resistant circle template, aluminum foil.

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Place the fabric circle on the aluminum foil.  Sarah seemed to just use one piece of foil, but I folded mine to make it thicker/stronger.  Center the template over the fabric.  Bring the foil up over the circle, folding the fabric over the edge of the template in the process.

This was trickier for me than it was in Sarah's video, as my template kept slipping out of place.  You really have to hang onto everything tightly so things stay put while you wrap the foil all around.

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Iron those edges down securely and remove the foil.

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In an ideal world, you now have perfectly folded over edges and are ready to remove the template and sew.

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My review of this method:  Well, maybe my skill level would improve with practice, but I did end up with a less than perfect circle.  I had a few little puckers that produced little points along the edge of the circle, which I might have been able to tease into place when I did my hand stitching.  I think I like the perfection of the traditional starch/hand basting method over all.  I'd love to know if any of you use the foil/iron method with good results!

 

24 responses to “Method for Applique Circles”

  1. I think you should try again with only one layer of foil. the double layer is too strong, and that is what distorted your circles. A single layer is much more pliable and will prevent the puckers and little points.

  2. I think you should try again with only one layer of foil. the double layer is too strong, and that is what distorted your circles. A single layer is much more pliable and will prevent the puckers and little points.

  3. I think you should try again with only one layer of foil. the double layer is too strong, and that is what distorted your circles. A single layer is much more pliable and will prevent the puckers and little points.

  4. I used the foil method for heart shaped appliques once with success but I prefer the basting method you use for circles. It takes a little more time but is totally reliable and you can stitch the circles down without having to work out any puckers or creases.

  5. I used the foil method for heart shaped appliques once with success but I prefer the basting method you use for circles. It takes a little more time but is totally reliable and you can stitch the circles down without having to work out any puckers or creases.

  6. I used the foil method for heart shaped appliques once with success but I prefer the basting method you use for circles. It takes a little more time but is totally reliable and you can stitch the circles down without having to work out any puckers or creases.

  7. Never tried this but I am a bit of perfectionist so think I would keep to starch which I have really good luck with. Looks interesting though….

  8. Never tried this but I am a bit of perfectionist so think I would keep to starch which I have really good luck with. Looks interesting though….

  9. Never tried this but I am a bit of perfectionist so think I would keep to starch which I have really good luck with. Looks interesting though….

  10. I haven’t needed to applique circles, but think Susan’s idea of trying the single layer of foil makes sense before you toss in the towel on this method.
    We’re frozen in today as last night’s low was 5*F. as yesterday’s snow is now ice. Oatmeal with raisins, anyone?!
    Hugs!

  11. I haven’t needed to applique circles, but think Susan’s idea of trying the single layer of foil makes sense before you toss in the towel on this method.
    We’re frozen in today as last night’s low was 5*F. as yesterday’s snow is now ice. Oatmeal with raisins, anyone?!
    Hugs!

  12. I haven’t needed to applique circles, but think Susan’s idea of trying the single layer of foil makes sense before you toss in the towel on this method.
    We’re frozen in today as last night’s low was 5*F. as yesterday’s snow is now ice. Oatmeal with raisins, anyone?!
    Hugs!

  13. I have visions of burned fingers with this method!! And the thought of the metal iron against the aluminum foil just gives me the shivers.
    I, too, am a bit of a perfectionist and use the starch method. I also invested in Karen Buckley’s “perfect circles” which is so much easier than having to cut a round circle out of the templar. They really do come out perfect, and there wasn’t a huge learning curve.

  14. I have visions of burned fingers with this method!! And the thought of the metal iron against the aluminum foil just gives me the shivers.
    I, too, am a bit of a perfectionist and use the starch method. I also invested in Karen Buckley’s “perfect circles” which is so much easier than having to cut a round circle out of the templar. They really do come out perfect, and there wasn’t a huge learning curve.

  15. I have visions of burned fingers with this method!! And the thought of the metal iron against the aluminum foil just gives me the shivers.
    I, too, am a bit of a perfectionist and use the starch method. I also invested in Karen Buckley’s “perfect circles” which is so much easier than having to cut a round circle out of the templar. They really do come out perfect, and there wasn’t a huge learning curve.

  16. I have tried this method and found that cutting out the circles with a pinking blade/ shears reduces the bulk and puckering.

  17. I have tried this method and found that cutting out the circles with a pinking blade/ shears reduces the bulk and puckering.

  18. I have tried this method and found that cutting out the circles with a pinking blade/ shears reduces the bulk and puckering.

  19. Whichever method you decide on for your circles…I’ll be over here admiring them! They’re so far out of my comfort zone! I DO like your’s, however!!

  20. Whichever method you decide on for your circles…I’ll be over here admiring them! They’re so far out of my comfort zone! I DO like your’s, however!!

  21. Whichever method you decide on for your circles…I’ll be over here admiring them! They’re so far out of my comfort zone! I DO like your’s, however!!

  22. I really love Perfect Circles and the Bigger Perfect Circles Templates with a gathering stitch and spray starch…they turn out wonderfully…and I wished I had learned a few years earlier than I did!
    I haven’t ever tried this method, though.

  23. I really love Perfect Circles and the Bigger Perfect Circles Templates with a gathering stitch and spray starch…they turn out wonderfully…and I wished I had learned a few years earlier than I did!
    I haven’t ever tried this method, though.

  24. I really love Perfect Circles and the Bigger Perfect Circles Templates with a gathering stitch and spray starch…they turn out wonderfully…and I wished I had learned a few years earlier than I did!
    I haven’t ever tried this method, though.