Inset Circles

Woohoo! Starting another scrap project, parts of which were made last year, and now they are becoming blocks.

Want to learn how to stitch these circles into a block, with no applique involved? It's easier than you think! And for an updated version, check out A New Round Robin and Inset Circle Tut. Let's get started!

First, cut both an over-sized background square for the block, and a same sized piece of freezer paper. I choose to have a 12 1/2" finished block, so I cut a 13" background square, allowing for trimming later. Fold it in half on each side, pressing to mark the center of the block.

Since my unfinished circle is cut at 8 1/2" (finished will be 8"), I'll use an 8" circle template to mark on a same size piece of freezer paper. The freezer paper has also been folded on each side to mark the center.

Carefully and smoothly cutting along the line,

the freezer paper is ironed to the wrong side of the background, lining up the centering marks.

Trim out the center circle leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Clip the seam about every 3/4", then with a bit of starch, press the seam over the freezer paper edge.

Carefully apply some washable glue to the seam edge,

then apply the circle with right sides to the glue. Press.

Now for the stitching. Carefully remove the freezer paper, making sure the glue bond in the seam allowance is secure. The stitching is going to take place in the seam fold of the background fabric, with the background on top and circle on the bottom.

Here's a closer look at that seam fold at the machine.

I recommend shortening the stitch length a bit, and slowly and carefully stitch in the fold.

When done, the seam can either be pressed to the inside, or left to lay toward the background. Either way, give that block a good press, and admire your work!