FREE! Carefree Curves in Quilts Half-Circle Block Sewing Tutorial

FREE! Carefree Curves in Quilts Half-Circle Block Sewing Tutorial

NEW! Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 112: Carefree Curves in Quilts!

NEW! watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 112 – Carefree Curves in Quilts Video with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey. In this video, the Stitch it! Sisters share step-by-step fabric cutting and stitching techniques for making Circle Blocks, Half-Circle Blocks, and Quarter-Circle Blocks with the Carefree Curves Trace ‘n Create Template by Nancy Zieman.

Then, head over to shopnzp.com and purchase one of two exclusive NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Bundle Boxes curated by the Stitch it! Sisters! Each NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Bundle Box includes 0ur NEW! Red Elegance Fabric Collection by Riley Blake Designs and the Carefree Curves in Quilts Template Set by Nancy Zieman for Clover. Choose a Bundle Box with or without a 5-yd. Pack of Pellon’s Sof-Shape Interfacing! You’ll supply the thread. Quantities are limited.

Each exclusive NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Bundle Box includes the Carefree Curves 3-Piece Template collection with step-by-step instructions with illustrations, and Classic Timesaving Tips by Nancy Zieman! Choose a Bundle Box with or without Pellon Sof-Shape Interfacing. 

Nancy’s Carefree Curves 3-Piece Quilt Template Collection–included with each Carefree Curves Bundle Box– includes:
• 1/4 Circle/1/2-Circle/Circle Template—4″, 6″, and 8″ finished blocks / 8″, 12″, and 14″ finished blocks.
• Hearts & Gizzards Template—8″, 10″, 12″, 14″, and 16″ finished blocks.
• Wagon Wheel & Fan Template—16″, 18″, 20″, 22″, and 24″ finished blocks / 8″, 9″, 10″, 11″, and 12″ finished blocks.

Templates are made of sturdy, reusable plastic and are designed to be used over, and over again!

Quantities are limited.

NEW! Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 112: Carefree Curves in Quilts!

NEW! Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 112: Carefree Curves in Quilts!

Watch the NEW! Stitch it! Sisters Program 112 – Carefree Curves in Quilts Video. See how easy it is to stitch Circle Blocks, Half-Circle Blocks, and Quarter-Circle Blocks with the Carefree Curves Trace ‘n Create Template by Nancy Zieman. Plus see a gallery of virtual quilt designs. The sewing is streamlined with Nancy’s Techniques and is an ideal project for beginning quilters!

NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Half-Circle Block Sewing Tutorial: 14″ Half-Circle Block – featuring The Waxing & Waning Quilt Block

Carefree Curves in Quilts Tools & Supplies:

• NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Bundle Box to make a scrappy-style quilt, OR Carefree Curves Template and Red Elegance Fabric sold by the yard–for a three-fabric quilt–as shown below.
• Pellon Sof-Shape Fusible Interfacing
• Clover’s I Sew For Fun Fabric Marking Pen
• Clover’s Point 2 Point Turner
• Rotary Cutting Tools: 45 mm Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, and Ruler
• 45mm Rotary Cutting Pinking Blade
• Neutral Sewing Thread for piecing
  
• Monofilament Thread
• Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needles
• June Tailor’s Starch Savvy
• Bordeaux Ultimate Shears
• Iron
• Optional: Mini Iron II “The Adapter”

To stitch our Carefree Curves in Quilts 14-Inch Half-Circle Block, follow the step-by-step instructions include with Carefree Curves Template Set, with Classic Timesaving Tips by Nancy Zieman – and see how using the right tools makes the sewing process enjoyable, even for beginning quilters!

Half-Circle Block Sewing Tutorial

NOTE: This block is 14-1/2″ square; 14″ finished square when sewn into finished quilt.

NOTE: Quilt blocks are 14-1/2″ square; 14″ finished square when sewn into finished quilt.

Block Fabrics

Select three Red Elegance Fabrics sold by the yard: Choose one Cream, one Taupe, and one Brick Red.

Quilt Block Fabric Requirements are listed on the back of the Carefree Curves Template Set Package.

Twelve 14″ finished Half-Square Waxing & Waning Moon Quilt Blocks requires 2 yd. Cream Fabric, 2 yd. Taupe, and 5/8 yd. Brick, along with 4 yd. Pellon Sof-Shape. NOTE: Add additional fabric for backing, borders, binding, and for sashing strips between finished blocks.

Prepare Fabrics

Pre-shrink project fabrics by steaming and pressing, and steaming and pressing a second time, and then spray starch and press one more time – using June Tailor’s® Starch Savvy.

Select the “Circle” Template from the Carefree Curves Template Set by Nancy Zieman for Clover.

Cut Fabric for Blocks

To make Half-Circle Blocks, first create super-simple circle blocks with Cream and Taupe fabric squares, and Pellon Sof-Shape squares!

• Cut 14-1/2″ background squares from Cream fabric.

• Cut 11-1/2″ squares from Taupe fabric – for center circles.

• Cut 11-1/2″ squares from Pellon Sof-Shape Fusible Interfacing.

Construct Circle Blocks

Create Center Circle Appliqués

• Place 11-1/2″ background square Taupe to 11-1/2″ square Pellon Sof-Shape Fusible Interfacing – matching smooth side of the fusible interfacing to right side of fabric. Pin.

• Position the Circle Template on the interfacing, centering the template on the interfacing square.
• With a fabric marking pen and Circle Template, trace largest 9″ circle on the onto the interfacing – tracing along the blue lines along the outside of the Circle Template.

• Using a Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needle, stitch directly on the marked line using a slightly shorter stitch length.

It’s always easier to stitch smooth curves with a shorter stitch length, such as a 2.0 mm setting.

• With a 45mm Rotary Cutting and Pinking Blade, trim away excess fabric, leaving about a 1/4″ seam allowance on the outside of stitching line.

• Carefully cut away the center of the interfacing, leaving about 1″ of interfacing on the inside of stitching line.

Save interfacing scraps for a later project when making, perhaps, smaller circles.

• Use Clover’s Point 2 Point Turner, and smooth the curved edge as the interfacing is turned to the wrong side.

• Press.

 

Topstitch Circle “Appliqué” to Block Background

• Fold one 14-1/2″ Cream background square in half, then in quarters to determine the center, use a Roll ‘n Press, or ‘finger press’ along the folded edges.

• Open.

• Fold center circle appliqué in half, then in quarters to determine the center, use a Roll ‘n Press, or ‘finger press’ along the folded edges. Open.

• Layer the circle appliqué onto the background square, aligning fold lines. Pin.

• Thread sewing machine with Monofilament Thread in the top thread of your sewing machine, and regular all-purpose sewing thread in the bobbin.
• Use a narrow blind hem stitch, blanket stitch, zigzag stitch, or straight stitch to “machine appliqué” the circle to the background.

• Press.
• Repeat steps above and create additional Circle Blocks (as many as you’d like) with Cream Backgrounds & Taupe Circle Appliqués. Set completed blocks aside.

Construct Opposing Blocks

• Following cutting steps above, cut the same number of opposing circle blocks elements: Cut 14-1/2″ background squares from Taupe fabric, cut 11-1/2″ squares from Cream fabric–for center circles, and cut 11-1/2″ squares from Pellon Sof-Shape Fusible Interfacing.
• Following sewing steps above, stitch the same number of opposing Circle Blocks (as many as you’d like) – with Taupe Backgrounds & Cream Circle Appliqués.

Construct Half-Circle Waxing & Waning Moon Blocks

• Using a Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler, cut each Circle Block in half, creating two equal Half-Circle Blocks.
  

• When Circle Blocks are cut in half, each Half-Circle Block will measure 7-1/4″ x 14-1/2″.

• Also cut each Opposing Circle Block in half. Each Opposing Half-Circle Block will measure 7-1/4″ x 14-1/2″.

•  For each block, cut 1″ x 14-1/2″ Brick Red crosswise fabric strips.

• Place Brick Red crosswise fabric strip to Half-Circle Block, right sides together, aligning long edges. Pin.

• Using a scant 1/4″ seam allowance and Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needle, stitch Brick Red crosswise fabric strip to Half-Circle Block.

• Press seam toward Red Brick fabric strip.

•  Place remaining long edge of Brick Red crosswise fabric strip to Opposing Half-Circle Block, right sides together. Pin.

•  Stitch.

• Press seams to block center.

• Waxing & Waning Moon Quilt Block is complete!

• Rotate Waxing & Waning Moon Quilt Blocks to achieve desired quilt design.
• Sew Brick Red crosswise fabric strips between blocks – to achieve desired number of rows.
• Sew Brick Red crosswise fabric strips between rows.
• Add outer sashing and/or outer borders using Brick Red crosswise fabric strips – to create desired quilt size.

Twelve 14″ Blocks makes a quilt top approx. 44″ x 58-1/2″

The above virtual quilt is a “three-fabric” quilt. If you’re making a scrappy-style quilt with the Red Elegance Fat Quarter Pack, make assorted circle blocks by selecting three different fabrics, for each block: Cream for background, Taupe for Circle Applique, and Brick Red for center 1″ strips. Be sure to make the same number of Opposing Circle Blocks with Taupe Backgrounds, Cream Circle Appliqués, and Brick Red center 1″ strips.

Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 112: Carefree Curves in Quilts!

•   Find our FREE! Circle Quilt Block Sewing Tutorial in our January 18, 2020 Blog Posting.
•    Find our FREE! Quarter-Circle Quilt Block Sewing Tutorial in our March 21, 2020 Blog Posting.

NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Tools & Supplies:

• NEW! Carefree Curves in Quilts Bundle Box
• Clover’s I Sew For Fun Fabric Marking Pen
• Clover’s Point 2 Point Turner
• Rotary Cutting Tools: 45 mm Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, and Ruler
• 45mm Rotary Cutting Pinking Blade
• Neutral Sewing Thread for piecing
  
• Monofilament Thread
• Size 75 Schmetz Quilting Needles
• June Tailor’s Starch Savvy
• Bordeaux Ultimate Shears
• Iron
• Optional: Mini Iron II “The Adapter”

For a chance to be the random winner of a Stitch it! Sisters 5″ Fabric Short Stack with exclusive S!S button & sticker, please leave a comment below sharing your thoughts about Nancy’s Carefree Curves in Quilts!

Nancy Zieman Productions will give away one Stitch it! Sisters 5″ Fabric Short Stack to one US resident in the 48 contiguous states. Winner must reply within 30 days to the official giveaway announcement email message – sent from Nancy Zieman Productions. Email Team NZP at [email protected].

The randomly selected winner of a Stitch it! Sisters 5″ Fabric Short Stackwith S!S button & sticker, from the March 21 Blog Post, March 2020 NZP Block of the Month: Quarter-Circle Block, is Ellee.

Her comment is: I’ll have to try this circle technique for sure.

Happy Quilting!

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.

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