How to use the Carefree Curves circle template

Yesterday I introduced the Carefree Curves templates and today I’m going to show you how to use the Carefree Curves circle template from Clover. The 3 templates of the Carefree Curves Collection make a variety of shapes which can then be used to create different designs such as fans, wagon wheels, circles, flowers, hearts and many versions of the drunkards path quilt block as well as a few others.

These templates come with a detailed instruction sheet on how to use each one. I was actually thinking of working small for this project but discovered that the smallest I can go is a ¼ of a 6″ circle which has to be placed on a 4½″ square. A miniature project this won’t be. The tree skirt last month wasn’t miniature either. One nice thing about working big is that the project sews together quickly and progress can be seen with the first few blocks.

In this post, I’ll focus on the circle template. Let’s get started and make some curved shapes.

Circle Template

Full circle

The circle template can be made in 3 different sizes. Each size of circle is color coded on the template.

I’m using a strip set of my feature fabrics for each circle. I thought that the circles would be more interesting made up of a variety of fabrics rather than just one fabric. Originally, I planned to use the largest circle but my strip set isn’t big enough so I’ll use the middle size.

Once the strip set was made I fused a piece of interfacing to the wrong side of the strip set. Remember to use a pressing sheet so as not to get any unwanted glue on your iron.

I altered how the interfacing is used in the directions. I decided to fuse it to the back of the fabric and keep it in the project giving my feature fabric a bit more stiffness. The instructions, cut it away so that the interfacing is only at the edge of the piece rather than covering the whole back. By attaching the interfacing this way a different method of construction is required which is outlined in the instruction booklet.

Place the circle template on the interfacing and use a fabric marking pen to draw lines in the cut out grooves onto the interfacing. I used the Clover Chaco Liner to draw the lines of the middle sized circle. I started out using the blue Chaco liner but found that I couldn’t see it very well on the interfacing so switched to the red Chaco liner. The Chaco liner comes in 2 other colors – white and yellow. I love this marking tool and one of my favorite things about it is that it has refills!

Cut out along the marking lines with either a rotary cutter or scissors. I used scissors just in case I wandered off the lines.

Place on a background square. The circle is 8½″ in diameter and is placed on a 12½″ square.

Quarter circle

I’m making the smallest circle for the ¼-circles which requires a 7″ square.

Placing the template on the wrong side of the fabric I marked the same lines as I did above but this time I also added in the reference lines at the top, bottom and sides of the circle.

These reference lines are used to cut the circle into quarters. Line up a ruler with the top and bottom lines and cut with a rotary cutter.

Repeat with the other 2 horizontal lines to cut the circle into 4 equal pieces.

With scissors or a rotary cutter cut along the curved lines to make the quarter circles.

Two half circles could also be cut by only cutting the top and bottom lines.

Place the ¼-circles on a 4½″ background piece and arrange the pieces. I pinned it in place with glass headed pins until I know how I’m going to stitch it to the background. That way if I have to iron it the pins can stay in place and the heads won’t melt.

Use an arrangement from the instruction book such as the drunkards path block, Mohawk Trail block, Fools Puzzle block or make your own design.

Alternate arrangements

Combine the ¼-circles with the circle to create a frame.

Or use the off cuts to create the frame.

This template is great for cutting circles and ¼-circles. It’s always a bonus when a template has more than one use or shape associated with it. Tune in tomorrow when I continue with how to use the Carefree Curves template and highlight another template in the collection. Happy Quilting!