X’s and O’s – part 2 – 2021.01.27

As I said in my last post, the next step is to sew the pieces together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

I’m using a technique I use a lot with circles, but it works with any shapes. My process is inspired by and adapted from Rose Hughes’ Fast-Piece Applique technique –  video tutorial here. The main difference between my technique and Rose’s, is she presses the freezer paper to the front of the fabric, and I press it to the back. She covers the raw edges with couching, I usually use bias tape or zigzag stitch.

Here are some previous posts where I described the technique in detail.

• http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/Studio/2013/04/21/to-boston-with-love/
• http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/Studio/2013/12/04/on-my-design-wall-2013-12-04/
• http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/Studio/2020/02/10/circles-of-hope-and-joy-2020-02-10/

In a nutshell, I drew my design on freezer paper, cut the freezer paper apart and ironed each piece to the back of the fabric. I cut the fabric around the freezer paper templates, adding 1/4″ seam allowances. I reassembled the pattern by overlapping the seam allowances and using the freezer paper to hold them together. Working from the back, I stitched in the gap between the paper templates. Then from the front, I trimmed each seam allowance very close to the stitching. This leaves raw edges, which will later be covered with bias tape, zigzag stitch or couching.

Here are some photos of the process. You can see some of the seam allowances showing through from the back – those will be trimmed away later, after the freezer paper is removed.

I stitched the pieces together, until I had 3 sections assembled – the top, the center circle and the bottom. Then I joined the 3 sections.

Then it was time to remove the freezer paper pieces (there were 29 pieces), and trim the seam allowances that were showing through on the front (I forgot to take a photo of that).

The next step will be to cover the raw edges with bias tape (or maybe couching or zigzag stitching). Check back in a couple of days to see that part of the process.

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Thanks for stopping by.  Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.
~ Love Laugh Quilt Monday Making
~ Quilt Fabrication Midweek Makers
~ WIP Wednesday @ The Needle & Thread Network