Pieced Curves So Simple

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

1. 20 seconds – Make a pattern by cutting a 3-1/2 inch circle on a 6" x 6" piece of double layered freezer paper (figure A).

2. 10 seconds – Iron the 6-inch pattern to the back of the background fabric (figure B). Refer to photo #1 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

3. 45 seconds – Cut out the center of the circle leaving at least 1/2-inch seam allowance (figure C).

• Clip the seam allowance (figure D).
• Make sure the depth of each clip ends at least 1/8 inch from the paper.
• The seam allowance must fold smoothly over the edge of the freezer paper pattern (figure E). Refer to photo #2 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

4. 30 seconds – Apply a light application of glue stick and the tip of the iron to tack the seam allowance to the pattern (figure F). Refer to photo #3 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

5. 20 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.

6. 20 seconds – Place background fabric on circle fabric then iron dry (figure G). Refer to photo #5 in Pieced Curves So Simple

7. 20 seconds – Peel and pop the fabric off the pattern to release the paper (figure H). Refer to illustration #6 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

8. 10 seconds – Iron again.

9. 45 seconds – Stitch almost in the ditch with an open toed foot or zipper foot (figure I). Refer to photo #7 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

10. 20 seconds – Trim the seam approximately 1/4 inch (figure J). Refer to photo #8 in Pieced Curves So Simple.

11. 45 seconds – Press the seam in the desired direction. Note: The direction the seam is pressed creates either a pieced look or an appliqué look (figure K). 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.