Beginner's Guide To Turned Edge Circles [Applique Tute]

Let's put our hands together for raw edge applique - I love it, absolutely love it - but now and again, a project calls for turned edge applique.  Urrrgh.  Did I hear someone groan?  It might actually have been me, but to be fair, turned edge applique really isn't that bad.  

My latest project didn't need any applique at all, then at the last moment, I had a bit of a funny turn and thought to add a fussy cut turned edge circle to the centre of my piece would bring something special to the finish.

Making the circle reminded me just how easy turned edge applique is, so I thought I'd share my method with you.  It's nothing original, and the technique doesn't belong to me or to anyone else either! It's just the way it's done and has been for a very long time - so here it is:

Beginner's Guide To Turned Edge Circles

Connecting The Dots - My August 2013 NYC Metro Mod Bee Block

Time for my August Bee Block for my NYC Metro Mod Guild Bee.  Observant readers may be wondering what happened to July's block, well Queen Bee Emily sent out the August blocks very early giving us the whole summer to make the block and I really liked this block so I'm making it up early and before my July block.

The block is appropriately the August: Polka Dot Block from The Modern Quilting Bee Block Party book -and here're the fabrics that Emily included in the package.  Emily asked for a minimum of 5 circles and we could use any of the colours sent or use our own fabric - her only stipulation being that it should be a solid - and we could use any applique method, thread colour and stitch to attach the blocks.

 I used one of each size of circle template from my Bigger Perfect Circles set by Karen Kay Buckley - 10 circles in total

And here's the colours I choose to use from those that Emily sent

I randomly placed a circle on each piece of coloured fabric rather than 'choosing' which colours should be which size.

I decided to use a raw edge applique method and I drew around each circle template on Steam-A-Seam 2 double sided fusible.

Here's the fusible cut out and ironed onto the fabric - right up to the corners so I can save as much of that gorgeous Michael Miller Couture Solid for scrap as possible!

All the circles are cut out and look at all that lovely scrap!

I knew that I wanted to create a block with a huge amount of negative space visible (the background grey) so I decided to position the circles mainly along one side of the block.  The trimmed, finished block is large measuring 17" x 21".  I wanted the circles to be random rather than placed so I removed the Steam-A-Seam 2 backing paper and gently threw them onto the grey background fabric and left them where they landed.  Unbelievably I really liked where most of them landed - I only rethrew two of the circles to achieve a better look.

Once in place and ironed I sewed the circles into place using a turquoise thread and zig-zag stitch.

I know I say this pretty much every month but this block really appeals to me - I think the finished quilt is going to look amazing and it's one I wouldn't mind owning myself - now I don't say that every month!!!

As always you can also check out all the blocks that our Bee make for Emily on my Quilty - Polka Dot Block Pinterest Board - I'll add more pins as each person in the Bee posts photos of their finished blocks and you can see my NYC Mod Guild Post here too.

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