Inset Circles Tips and Tricks

I was carried away, I just kept making circles for my “Circle Sampler”

My current demo project is a block of the month project focussing on curved piecing.  There are curved strips, inset circles and inset ovals.

One circle technique does not “fit” all!  

The size of the circle will dictate the method to use.  For the 6” finished inset circles - a simple sewn in method can be used.  


Success with the simple sewn is method in part comes down to correct sizing of the circle and the frame and pressing peaks and valleys.  

For my 6” finished circle I cut a 6 1/2” diameter circle and a 5 1/2” circle out of an 8” square frame.  There should be a 1” difference in the size of the circle to be inset when compared to the size of the circle cut out of the frame.  Once the circle has been sewn into the frame, the block was trimmed to 6 1/2” square.

Make it easy on yourself and press peaks and valleys!  Press your inset circle in quarters wrong sides together.  Press again into eighths with wrong sides together.  You will have eight press marks in total.  

Then press the “frame” in quarters right sides together, the wrong side of the fabric will be on the outside.  Press the frame in eighths again right sides together.  When you align the press marks a peak on the inset circle should align with a valley on the frame all around the circle with no repressing!  

The peaks and valley alignment will make it easier to match up the circle and frame accurately!  Try this and let me know how it works!

Reclaim your Sewjo - Clear your space and your mind!

There is something in the air!  In my community of quilters there are a number of us, that haven't ventured into their studios to sew and create.  What has been the source of inspiration, creativity and calm is missing. 

I've been there,  so I'd like to share what has helped me out of this state in the past.  For those who have seen my studio is is a mass of color and projects everywhere.  I am a bit of a squirrel - a new project or design captures my attention with intensity while I am designing.  It is not uncommon for me to have a number of projects spread out all over my studio.  I find inspiration in the chaos until I reach a tipping point - be-it too many projects on the go or project deadlines coming way too fast and I hit a wall.  

The chaos clutters my mind and I am paralyzed - I just don't want to sew.

My analytical accountant side of my brain comes to the rescue.  For me it is about taking a few small steps every day.  

Take a step back and clear the clutter - both physically and mentally. 

This notebook called out to me on my last trip to Staples in the US.  It is a gentle reminder to step back and take small steps forward and before you know it the task which seemed insurmountable is done!  

Physical clutter - I start with the studio space.  I take the projects which are not inspiring me at the moment and put all the fabric, sketches, and partially completed blocks for each project into a tote or project box.  

Give yourself permission to say it is okay not to finish a project and put it out of sight.  

Often it is simply a matter of finding a clear space to work.  It doesn't happen overnight.  For me it takes a couple of days to sort and store all those projects.  Start slow - even 30 minutes a day will make a a difference.

Mental clutter - I clear my mind.  For me it is taking time to just be and not be driven to produce a project and just relax.  I grab a couple of quilting books off my shelf and just flip through the pages and enjoy the images with a cup of tea or glass of water.  Sleep in your favourite chair! 

Clearing/calming  your mind is a an accomplishment in itself!

Dipping my toes in being retired to Quilt!

I'm excited beyond imagination!  

I have the entire month of August to "test" the waters on being "retired to quilt".  I finally can take the time to learn new techniques, test some designs and just have fun!  If my new occupation meets expectations, I'll be sure to make this a permanent occupation.

I started the month playing with color using Josef Albers plates and commentary for my monthly demo content for the next year.  

Josef Albers was a designer, artist and Yale professor.  His book the "Interaction of Color" was published in 1963 which presented his theory of color.  In the Introduction of this book, Josef described the book as a "a record of an experimental way of studying color and teaching color".  The book is now available as an iPad app.  The interaction of the book content with current technology is fascinating.  I have spent many an hour working in the app.   

Using my fabric selections, I completed selected exercises from the plates. The resulting blocks on the left are my experiments in color.  I just love the blocks.    

The three coloured blocks are destined for my Circles and More Sampler for my monthly demo at Addies Creative Fabrics in Cochrane.  

Stay tuned for my progress on this new project and my new occupation!