Hello friends and welcome, new readers!
Almost one year ago Pat and Jane asked me if I want to design a block for a sampler quilt along. Of course, I said “yes!”.
You probably already heard about the Splendid Sampler. Are you sewing the blocks? If not, you need to check the Splendid Sampler website; there are 100 blocks (almost half of them already released), all the blocks are wonderful and you could not believe how complex the 6”-square blocks could be!
This is my block, it’s called “Circle of Love” and it was inspired by what we, quilters, love most about quilting: sharing the love of quilting with our families!
Check out the Splendid Sampler website and download the instructions for this block.
It’s an easy raw edge applique design, fused with fusible web.
Fun fact about this block (or how to do applique without marking the fabric)
I started making the block, I marked the design on fabric and then I realised that I can’t send the block to the USA with the markings on fabric and my marker required washing. I didn’t want to risk and wash the block (which could have distorted the block).
What to do, what to do? (insert a few moments of real panic, because I can’t cross the street and buy the marker I need, usually I have to wait weeks until I get it!!).
So after a few minutes of thinking, I came to the conclusion that actually I don’t even need to mark the design on fabric!
And then how to do the appliques ? You use the paper pattern to position the pieces in the corresponding place. Here is the process.
Place the pattern underneath the fabric. If you can’t see through the fabric, then you need a light box or just tape the paper pattern onto a window and then tape the fabric on top of it.
Keep the applique pieces in the corresponding places with a little bit of glue or (if using fusible web) press slightly with an iron (not too much pressing and no high temperature, you don’t want to break the glass). That’s it, then continue as usual -press the block well if using fusible web.
This technique is very handy when you don’t have a reliable marker or when for any reason you can’t mark on your fabric.
I hope you like the block. Check out different versions on the Splendid Sampler website. Thank you, Pat and Jane, for this fun project.
Happy sewing!
Thank you for being part of our Splendid Sampler!!! We love your block!
Thank you, Pat; it was fun to design and sew it.
I have worked 2 hours on this block and my pieces just don’t fit together. I tried making some of them upside down and they fit a little better… but the patterns just don’t go together. Your block looks great. i used the patterns given, but I’m giving up, for now, anyway…
Marilyn Miller
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Sorry you have trouble! Maybe you cut your pieces too big? Many quilters already did the block, I think the pattern is correct.
I found the pieces wouldn’t fit either and wondered if the templates weren’t reversed after all. So I switched pieces and they fit – changed 2 with 1, 3 with 8 and so on.
Thank you for the lovely block Geta, it’s been fun to do! Also love your website.
Glad you managed to fit them all – thank you for taking the challenge.
What a gorgeous block!! I love this design!
Susie
Thank you, Susie; it was fun to see all the details on a few inches!
The PDF on the splendid site is broke. Are you able to fix?
No, it’s not on my server; I am sure it is a temporary issue, please try again later.
Love this block Geta. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Amanda, love your version.
Love this block. Looking forward to sewing it. Your appliqué is very pretty.
Reading through your blog I am intrigued by your use of the colored markers but not sure just how to utilize them.
Hi MaryJean,
I use these markers when I need to transfer a design from paper to fabric (for applique, or wholecloth or trapunto). They really changed the way I see these techniques because they are cheap and easily available.