October 12, 2021

Ring Around the Rosy

One of my favorite quilts in my new book, Hand Me Down Quilts, is the one titled “Ring Around the Rosy”. I have made it many times in a variety of fabric styles as a baby quilt. Hope you will consider it for your next new baby project or picnic blanket. Some quilters shy away from foundation piecing and it’s not a favorite technique for me but the finish is so gratifying! Originally this part of the design was to be improvisational but a template is given with the pattern so precise points can be made for those desiring that nod to perfection. I especially like the bias binding application so I don’t have to turn under those bulky seam allowances. If you’re new to foundation piecing the photos below will give you an idea of the technique and illustrate the simplicity of this particular application. One tip I suggest for this project is that you rough cut some freezer paper templates in the size of each section of the arc and use that to precut the shape to be used in each section. For me, it seems to feel like less waste of fabric (photo 1).

Photo 2 shows why this can be very improvisational. I missed the line on the left so just continued to make adjustments, still the same number of points in the arc but a slightly different shape! Photo 3 shows how I simply redrew the line and continued with the piecing. It’s OKAY to be improvisational even if it’s unintentional!!

Photos 4 and 5 shows ¼” seam allowance added and then trimming of excess. Photo 6, sew on the bias binding, paper foundation is still attached but can now be removed. Photo 7, press toward the seam allowance and then fold to wrong side (photo 8).

Photo 9 shows how I apply the arc to the block. And repeat for a finish (photo 10)!!

Ready for quilting. Hope you’ll try it!!