AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Question I am making a Bella Bella quilt and have substituted a design for the center.
This consists of four concentric circles, 1/2" red, 1/2" white, 1" red,
1/2"white, each one smaller until the center which is a six " diameter circle
red. (wish I could draw this) The full diameter of the center is 11 1/2 ".
I created a pattern on the computer, but piecing it was impossible for me. I
then tried blind-stitch applique, but I end of rather bumpy circles. Any
suggestions for making a series of smooth concentric circles???
Answer To help attain smooth concentric circles, first applique the largest circle which will be the farthest in the background. It might help to keep the fabrics flat on a table while appliqueing, and watch to be sure that the tiniest stitches are taken, very close together.
Once the largest circle has been appliqued, cut away the background fabric underneath that circle, to within 1/4" of the appliqued stitches.
Then arrange the second largest circle on top of that appliqued circle. Applique it in place, again taking care as noted above. When the second circle has been appliqued in place, trim away the underneath fabric of the first circle, to within 1/4" of the appliqued stitches of the second circle, so that only one layer of fabric is left behind circle #2.
Proceed in this manner for each circle, cutting away the underneath layer of fabric with each step, so that only one layer of fabric remains under each appliqued "ring". This technique will help your fabrics to "breathe" without being constrained by another fabric, or fabrics.
