This is a very quick and simple, no bells and whistles, circle applique tute requiring nothing but fabric, scissors, needle, thread and a piece of card – a cereal packet is perfect – and a glass/bowl/plate to draw around. I’m posting it, here, because several people have asked me how I do my dresden centres.
Step 1. Cut one circle the size you want your circle to finish at from card and one circle about 1/2″ bigger all round from fabric.
Step 2. Tie a knot in your thread and sew around your fabric circle with a running stitch. Lay your card on top of your fabric, pull the stitches tight and secure firmly.
Step 3. Press VERY hard to get a good edge to your circle.
Step 4. Cut through a stitch. .
Step 5. Ease out your card template (the yellow stripes are the back of my fabric).
Step 6. Press carefully around the crease created by your pressing in step 3. Pin to your background fabric and secure with your preferred applique method.
Mara
Nice and simple, thanks for sharing.
Jan
I like this so much better than raw edge applique.
BillieBee (billiemick)
Thanks for the Tute!
mammafairy
This method really produces a lovely neat finish. I hate doing it, but it sure does work!
Teje Karjalainen
Hi Janine! Great, simple tutorial! Have to try this. x Teje
Jess @ The Elven Garden
Great tutorial Janine!
Patti
Thanks for this, Janine! The centre has always prevented me from doing dresdens!
Nicole
How fun! I cannot wait to try this :)
Celtic Thistle
I spray starch the circle lightly before ironing too for really crisp edges.
Benta AtSLIKstitches
Ah ha, great mini tute, thanks
Karen
Perfectly done! :)
Teresa Connolly
Nice simple and neat easy to do, thank you .
Annabella
Perfect tute – I was thinking of making my Camelot blocks (all 3 of them) in to cushions and was wondering how to do it! Thank you :)
Laura
It looks great! have you seen Sarah Fielke's foil method? It involves wrapping the whole thing in foil rather than tacking, then pressing the hell out of it. I haven't tried it yet but it's on the list :)
Soma Acharya
Thank you for the wonderful tute!! I have to give this a try :)
-Soma
junacreationsuk.blogspot.co.uk
Great tutorial, thanks, wish I'd have known about it before I did the centre of the sun cushion.
I'm interested to see what that is that the big circle is on, with all those little circles.
pennydog
My technique is similar to this but I do it the Sarah Fielke foil way that Laura mentions- doesn't actually take much pressing and they're beautifully round.