The Walking in Circles quilt pattern is a captivating design that adds a modern twist to any quilt collection.
Its circular shapes create a visually stunning effect, making it perfect for quilters who want to experiment with curves and dynamic layouts.
In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the entire process of making the Walking in Circles quilt, including fabric cutting, piecing, and quilting techniques. Let’s dive into this unique quilt pattern and learn how to create your very own masterpiece.
Materials and Fabric Selection for Walking in Circles Quilt
Before starting, it’s essential to choose the right fabrics for your Walking in Circles quilt pattern. The contrast between the circles and background fabrics is key to making the pattern pop.
Fabric Recommendations
For this pattern, you will need:
- Background Fabric: Choose a solid or subtle print that allows the circular design to stand out.
- Circle Fabrics: Opt for bold colors or contrasting prints that create a strong visual effect against the background.
- Binding and Backing Fabric: Pick coordinating fabrics for binding and backing to complete the quilt’s look.
- Batting: Use a lightweight cotton or polyester batting for a smooth finish.
Selecting fabrics that contrast in color or texture will emphasize the circular shapes, making the overall design more striking. Consider using pre-cut fabric bundles like fat quarters or charm packs to add variety to your circles.
Tools Needed
- Rotary cutter and mat: Precision is key when cutting curved pieces.
- Sewing machine: Ensure you have a quarter-inch foot for accurate seam allowances.
- Circle template or compass: You’ll need these to create perfect circles.
Now that you have your materials ready, let’s move on to the fabric cutting process.
Cutting the Fabric for Walking in Circles Quilt
Cutting curved pieces requires patience and accuracy, but with the right tools and method, it becomes a straightforward task. The Walking in Circles quilt pattern consists of circular blocks, so you’ll be cutting both circular and background pieces.
Steps for Cutting Circles
- Create Your Template: If you don’t have a pre-made circle template, use a compass to draw circles of various sizes (e.g., 5”, 7”, and 9” diameter) on a piece of cardboard or template plastic. This will be your guide for cutting the fabric.
- Cut the Circle Fabrics: Place your fabric on the cutting mat, lay your template on top, and carefully cut around the template using a rotary cutter. Repeat this step for all circle fabrics.
- Cut the Background Squares: For the background, cut squares that will frame your circles. These squares should be slightly larger than your circles, such as 6” x 6” squares for 5” circles, 8” x 8” squares for 7” circles, and 10” x 10” squares for 9” circles.
Cutting with precision ensures that the circles will align properly when piecing the quilt together. Make sure to press all fabrics before cutting to avoid any wrinkles or stretching during the cutting process.
Piecing the Circles into the Background
Now that your circles and background fabrics are cut, it’s time to sew them together. Piecing circles can seem intimidating, but with the right technique, it’s easy to achieve smooth curves.
Sewing Curves
- Pin the Circle to the Background: Place a circle on top of a background square, making sure it’s centered. Use pins to secure the edges of the circle to the background.
- Sew Slowly Along the Edge: Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew the circle to the background square, following the curve carefully. Sew slowly to maintain even stitching.
- Trim Excess Fabric: After sewing, trim any excess fabric from the circle’s edges to create a clean finish.
Piecing curved seams can take some practice, so don’t worry if it’s not perfect on the first try. Take your time, and if needed, you can hand baste the circles in place before sewing to ensure they stay secure.
Assembling the Walking in Circles Quilt Top
With your individual circle blocks complete, it’s time to assemble the quilt top. Arranging the blocks in an eye-catching layout is crucial for this design, as it enhances the circular motion effect.
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Arranging the Blocks
- Play with Layouts: Lay out all your blocks on a flat surface or design wall. Experiment with different arrangements to see which layout creates the most dynamic effect.
- Add Sashing (Optional): For a more spaced-out look, add sashing between the blocks. Cut sashing strips 2.5” wide and sew them between each block.
- Sew the Rows Together: Once you’ve finalized your layout, sew the blocks into rows, then sew the rows together to complete the quilt top.
This step allows you to get creative with how you arrange the blocks. You can create an organized grid or place the circles in a more random fashion for a playful look.
Quilting the Walking in Circles Quilt
Quilting your Walking in Circles quilt adds texture and depth to the overall design. Since the pattern features curves, quilting motifs that follow the circular shapes will enhance the visual flow of the quilt.
Quilting Techniques
- Echo Quilting: This technique involves stitching around the circles at regular intervals, creating an echo effect that accentuates the curves.
- Free-Motion Quilting: For a more intricate design, use free-motion quilting to add swirls, spirals, or even floral motifs around the circles.
- Stitch in the Ditch: For a simpler approach, stitch in the ditch along the seams where the circles meet the background fabric.
Quilting in a way that complements the circular design will make the finished quilt more cohesive and visually appealing. Choose a quilting method that suits your skill level and the look you want to achieve.
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Finishing the Walking in Circles Quilt
Once you’ve finished quilting, it’s time to add the final touches that will bring your Walking in Circles quilt to life. Binding and labeling the quilt are the final steps in completing this project.
Binding and Labeling
- Cut Binding Strips: Cut binding strips 2.5” wide from your chosen fabric. Sew the strips together to create one long piece, then attach it to the edges of the quilt.
- Attach the Binding: Sew the binding to the front of the quilt, then fold it over to the back and hand stitch it in place for a clean finish.
- Label Your Quilt: Don’t forget to add a label to your quilt with your name, the date, and any special notes about the project.
Binding your quilt gives it a polished look and helps protect the edges from wear and tear. Adding a label is a great way to personalize your quilt and commemorate the effort you put into creating it.
Conclusion
The Walking in Circles quilt pattern is a modern and playful design that is sure to impress. From selecting bold fabrics to mastering curved piecing, this quilt offers plenty of opportunities to grow your quilting skills while creating a visually stunning piece.
By following this step-by-step tutorial, you can create a quilt that not only showcases your craftsmanship but also stands out as a unique and artistic design. So, grab your fabrics and start walking in circles—happy quilting!
