Pieced Curves So Simple

Dale Fleming is an innovative fiber artist who loves curves and circles in designs. Try her "Pinless Piecing" method of machine piecing everything from simple circles and curves to the most complex art quilt designs. It is fast, accurate, easy, and requires only a few extra readily available materials. Her six-minute circle makes a 6-1/2-inch block.

Six-Minute Circle

Materials:

6-1/2" square background fabric
6" circle or square of circle fabric
standard quilting supplies
freezer paper
acid free, archival quality, water-soluble glue stick
zipper or an open toed embroidery foot
very hard pressing surface
book: Pieced Curves So Simple

Figure A

Steps:

1. Twenty seconds – Make a pattern by cutting a 3-1/2 inch circle on a 6" x 6" piece of double layered freezer paper.

Figure B

2. Ten seconds – Iron the 6-inch pattern to the back of the background fabric. Refer to photo #1 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

Figure C

3. Forty-five seconds – Cut out the center of the circle leaving at least 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Figure F

4. Thirty seconds – Apply a light application of glue stick and the tip of the iron to tack the seam allowance to the pattern. Refer to photo #3 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

5. Twenty seconds – Apply glue on top of tacked seam allowance. Remove excess glue from the front of the fabric. Refer to photo #4 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

Figure G

6. Twenty seconds – Place background fabric on circle fabric then iron dry. Refer to photo #5 in Pieced Curves So Simple

Figure H

7. Twenty seconds – Peel and pop the fabric off the pattern to release the paper. Refer to illustration #6 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

8. Ten seconds – Iron again.

Figure I

9. Forty-five seconds – Stitch almost in the ditch with an open toed foot or zipper foot. Refer to photo #7 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

Figure J

10. Twenty seconds – Trim the seam approximately 1/4 inch. Refer to photo #8 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

Figure K

11. Forty-five seconds – Press the seam in the desired direction. Note: The direction the seam is pressed creates either a pieced look or an appliqué look. Refer to photo #9 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

Combine pin-less piecing with other techniques such as stripping and paper piecing to expand your design possibilities and speed up your piecing. A first time quilter can easily master the six-minute circle.

Experiment with Fleming's Pinless Piecing technique with the following shapes: