Dresden Plate, The Inner Circle

I am making a display quilt for Hickory Stick Quilt and was asked how I did such perfect circles in the center.  Below are photos and directions for the method I like to use for this 6″ center circle.  I cut 8″ squares of fabric and 6″ circle from freezer paper and from mylar template plastic for a 6″ finished circle.

Finished block, 38″

Iron freezer paper  template onto fabric square

Baste stitch about 1/4″ outside the freezer paper in preparation for gathering.  Then trim away excess fabric about 1/4″ away from basting stitch.

Remove freezer paper and insert mylar template, pulling gathering threads around the circles edge.  evenly distribute the gathers for smooth edge.

Press from wrong side (mylar template does not melt) and then again on the right side and remove the template.

I use a blind hem stitch with a narrowed zig zag and narrowed straight stitch to invisibly attache the circle to the center.

Love this method for those perfect circles–very similar to the work of hand appliquers when making perfect circles.