You have done all the hard work, picked out some great fat quarters, pressed all your fabrics and the most daunting task...you have cut out all those squares and circles. You have completed part 1, now you are ready for part 2!
After all of that cutting, everything hereafter will seem to go very quickly! Before you begin matching your squares to your circles you need to find the center of both shapes. Iron all of squares in half and then in half again. Do the same with the circles. By doing this you will find the perfect center of each.
Next, match all the circles to the squares, lining up the centers of both pieces. Once this is done you can begin sewing all of your circles down. This may seem intimidating to sew 160 circles, but it is so very simple. I found it best to use a walking foot (this is the standard foot on your machine). Using a 1/4 inch seem allowance, place the sewing foot up against the side of the circle. Slowy start sewing, placing you hands as shown below, pressing down with your left hand causing the circle to "pivot" (anyone seen that Friends episode?).
Before you know it you will have all of the circles sewn. You will be amazed at how quickly this will go. Things that I am sure you are not amazed with:
1. my black nails
2. my machine being held together with painters tape
No one ever said this quilt along was going to be pretty! Good luck and get sewing! After this week you are almost to the halfway point!
See you next Saturday morning for part 3.
-melissa