Lots of Circles and possibly the coolest quilt ever...

So I have a new commission, and it's kind of funny. My client wants a quilt that "doesn't look like a quilt", and she goes as far as calling it a "blanket" instead of quilt. Cracks me up, because she clearly wants a quilt!

Anyway, here is her inspiration and my job is going to be recreating this painting in fabric.

Attachment 16104

Gorgeous, right?

Obviously there are a thousand circles to be appliqued, so I wanted to see if anyone here has any advice or time saving tips in making and cutting these bad boys out.

Love it!

Use an AccuQuilt Go or a Silhouette with Heat&Bond Lite already applied to your fabric before cutting your various circle sizes.

Make sure you get paid more than $1.99/hr. lol That's a lot of cutting and appliqueing whether by hand or machine, it's still a slow go when doing circles. I know just from doing the target and apple on the silhouette block for Stewart/Mr. Daisy. Even the curves on the cat, takes time, 'cause you have to adjust the stitch length, then lengthen again.

It will look gorgeous though! Good luck. Ruby

Thanks Ruby! I'm not sure I would have thought of applying the heat & bond before cutting, and I wish I had an AccuQuilt Go!

Any other tips?

How about a Big Shot or Big Shot Pro die cutting machine?... with the Circle Die?

Do you have a friend who may have one to borrow and you can buy the "CIRCLE" die?

Or a friend who may have the AccuQuilt and do the same as above?

As for sewing them alllllllll....Well there's no EZ way on that one.

then off course there's the LONG WAY.... the circle ruler Jenny used for the Fabric Ormaments.

I can't Wait to See it ~Summer~!! :)

That is going to a very gorgeous "blanket". I would say if you don't have a friend with an AccuQuilt to pop in a great movie and make sure your scissors are sharp. But yes make sure the heat&bond is on before you start cutting. I see there are different sizes to the circles. It is going to be a job worth every penny you get. Can't wait to see the finished product.

I just bought the circle cutter from MSQC.... they are out of the rotary cutter that works with it.. and i think it's a must... my cutter was difficult to use, but cheaper than buying the machine...of course there is always the trace and cut bit... i would fuse heat and bond light to the fabric first... trace then cut... the seal is wonderful...can't wait to see this quilt...

Summer - I know there is a quilt shop in Iowa that has a large AccuQuilt set up and they will let you use it. Call around your area and see if any shop has one set up (the larger commercial cutters). Other than that I think like Carmen mentioned - the circle cutter template would work - I've cut several thicknesses in it with no problem (as many as 3 circles at a time).

Another idea just hit me - There are people who sell cuts on eBay - see if you can find someone close to you and you may be able to either pay or barter with them to do the cutting for you . . .

Oh, oh, oh - if you haven't priced to her yet . . . include the price of the Accu-Quilt and get yourself a new toy - let her pay for it!!!!

I went to a club day at my LQS a while back and they demonstrated how to piece circles into a cut out circle. You make your circle to be sewn in 1 inch bigger than the cut out circle. Iron the circle and where it will be sewn in half then half again to make 4 equal sides. Pin together at the ironed marks and sew easing around the curve as you go. Looked pretty easy and would use less fabric. Just a thought

I agree with Ruby - accuquilt circle cutter die is solo awesomely quick and worth the investment. Also follow her suggestion on doing the heat and bond before cutting....ask me how I know this!

I agree that the simplest method would be to apply your fusible web to the fabric first then use a die cutting system for cutting the circles, multiple layers at a time. One issue may be that it looks like the circles you need to make are at least 5 different sizes. I don't have an Accuquilt so don't know how many size circle dies they carry. I do have a Big Shot and many dies, but not sure I could come up with 5 or more different size circle specific dies. There are many dies however, like a flower or graphic design that will have a useable circle center. This would be a costly solution, though if you don't already own a cutting system. The idea of finding a local quilt shop where you can use or rent a system seems like a good option.

I think you got some great ideas for cutting the circles with a fusible already applied. I think the "blanket" would be really gorgeous made from the full color spectrum of Kona solids on a black background. I saw something similar to this a year or so ago and it took my breath away. The circles were fused all over the top and the only stitching done to the circles was the all-over quilting. There's nothing like black to make the colors pop! Just a thought.....Barb

The AccuQuilt Go circles die is 2" 3" 5" - that's three, then there the Daisy plus the Round Flower die, I'm sure there are other die sets that have circles within them. Besides Quilting stores, check out scrapbooking studios, they also are using the AccuQuilt system in their studio, maybe you can rent theirs by the hour to cut your fabric.

what I did was cut my circles with scissors....sewed used dryer sheets to them, tore the dryer sheet and turned them around and then appliqued them on....used dryer sheets are cheap....and it turned out pretty good...smelled good too

Summer, not sure if this will help you, but I found some diecut circles on www.avelisquilts.com and there is a shop near me called Keepsake Quilting that has an online store. Those circles were 1930's repros....but I bet there are other places on line that you could find circles already precision cut. But heck, maybe getting this commission is a sign you need to get a GO! Good luck with it!
Cynthia

Summer, have you considered YO-YO's? Those you can make different sizes and they add a wonderful 3-d look. I also save my used dryer sheets for making the flatter, sewn-in circles.. Lilmouse instructions for use is great.. Lots of ironing and no fusible stuff needed.

That's gonna be beautiful!! Make sure you post lost of pictures!!!
Pam in Vegas

+1. To that

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Originally Posted by Sandy Navas

Oh, oh, oh - if you haven't priced to her yet . . . include the price of the Accu-Quilt and get yourself a new toy - let her pay for it!!!!

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Can't wait to see this one finished. It will be gorgeous! Good luck!

Wow, lots to think about! Man, I would LOVE a cutting system...sigh. I don't think it's in the budget to send the fabric out to be cut by someone else, nor do I think there is time. Her baby is due in 6 weeks!

I live in area that does NOT have a local quilt shop! I've seriously thought about saving every penny I make from quilting and eventually opening one myself, because we really need one here. The closest is an hour away! We have a sewing machine repair shop and a long arm quilter, so I think I'm going to give them a call and see if either of them have one. I know the repair shop gives quilting lessons, so maybe they have one in stock.

As to the colors and design, she wants the same color scheme, so I'm putting together kona solids for the circles and backgrounds. She'd really like a brownish grayish barkish looking fabric for the trunk, so I'm hunting those...and she wants to incorporate coordinating prints into the backing and bumper! I really can't complain though...I LOVE fabric hunting!

I going to meet with her Monday, and I'm going to applique a few circles with different methods (hand stitch, raw edged, blanket and silk stitches, and yoyo) and see what she likes best. I'm not crazy about the thought of hand stitching all of them, but if she'll pay for it...I'll do it!

I'll keep you all updated!

If you don't have access to an Accuquilt cutter, try the Olfa Circle Cutter. I got mine on sale for about $15 at Joann's. I cut 30 perfect circles in 10 minutes. You can add the fusible first, then cut. I'm sure it will be pretty when done!

Just saw a video where someone using heat n bond cut the fabric with their Cricut. If you have a scrap booking friend that has one that may be an option for you.

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Originally Posted by katier825

If you don't have access to an Accuquilt cutter, try the Olfa Circle Cutter. I got mine on sale for about $15 at Joann's. I cut 30 perfect circles in 10 minutes. You can add the fusible first, then cut. I'm sure it will be pretty when done!

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Katie, that's perfect! I just watched the video and saw the price...thank you so much!

I'm with Katie. Use the circle cutter. You could also try using fusible interfacing, cutting a slit in the back and using a straw to turn the cirles right side out. Eleanor Burns has many demonstrations of this method. Here's one of her videos where she demonstrates the technique. If you don't want to watch the whole thing just fast forward to the part where she's making the cardinals.http://quiltinaday.com/theater/2800Series/2802.html

Thanks, Rebecca! I love that idea! I'm not a fan of the raw edges (unless of course she wants them raw).

Summer, what Sandy said plus I hope you are getting paid what that quilt is going to be worth when you are done. That is quite the project and only 6 weeks. Never feel bad about charging what you are worth. Oh, and post pictures when you are done.

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Originally Posted by HandsOffItsMine

Love it!

Use an AccuQuilt Go or a Silhouette with Heat&Bond Lite already applied to your fabric before cutting your various circle sizes.

Make sure you get paid more than $1.99/hr. lol That's a lot of cutting and appliqueing whether by hand or machine, it's still a slow go when doing circles. I know just from doing the target and apple on the silhouette block for Stewart/Mr. Daisy. Even the curves on the cat, takes time, 'cause you have to adjust the stitch length, then lengthen again.

It will look gorgeous though! Good luck. Ruby

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Accuquilt for sure....and you are right that will be one beautiful "blanket" lol...

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Originally Posted by BellasQuilts

Summer, what Sandy said plus I hope you are getting paid what that quilt is going to be worth when you are done. That is quite the project and only 6 weeks. Never feel bad about charging what you are worth. Oh, and post pictures when you are done.

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Oh yeah, I'm not shy about pricing. She can choose cheaper fabric or methods if she wants a cheaper quilt. I give options. :)

Love the quilted circles! I can't wait to see it finished.

That Eleanor Burns video was neat. I think I might try it on some of my flower petals for my BOM. They aren't really raw edges cause they have that interfacing still on it - but it would be a good way to have the fabric not ravel while I am sewing it down around the outer edge by hand and don't have to try and turn under the quarter inch when hand sewing. I just don't like the idea of having it just pressed on there without the additional hand stitches to keep it there.

Hugs,

I saw a video recently, sorry don't know where, they were appliqueing and made the pieces by sewing two together using water soluble thread. Stitch two circles together leaving a turning opening using the water soluble thread in either the top or bobbin, not necessary to do both. After you turn and press the applique you just hit it with steam and the thread dissolves and presto, you have two pieces with a turned edge. Makes it twice as fast but it still will be lots of work. Beautiful though.