Tool Time Tuesday...Applique Circles With Washers

I'm back at the hardware store again to bring you...

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WASHERS

Not the kind to clean our clothes, the kind we sew with.

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There is also a bonus twofer TTT at the end!

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These little beauties come in so many sizes and thicknesses, but cost only pennies a piece. I think the largest one I have was 31 cents and some were even free, because...let me hear it ladies...I stole (borrowed) them from my husband!! Remember when you borrow anything from your hubbies, please wash the grease off first.
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These little circles are great templates for making yo yos, especially the thicker ones, because they are easy to trace around.
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The thinner ones make wonderful circles for applique. I will try and attempt a tutorial below, but bare with me on some of the photos...they're a little blurry.
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Here is just a small selection of the washers I found. Isn't that smallest one the cutest thing. I think it's 1/4".

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These next 2 (very dark) photos show the thickness. This is great for tracing.
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and the thin one on the left could be for tracing or making circles for applique.
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Circles for applique tutorial

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Choose the size washer that you want your finished circle to be. Try and make it a thin one. Then pick a larger one for your template. My template is a 1/2" larger than the size I want my circle to be.

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Place large template washer on wrong side of fabric.

Trace with marker or pencil.



Cut out circle...I know simple so far.



With matching thread that is knotted at the end (I used black so you can see it), sew a running stitch around the circle about a 1/4" from the edge. Leave the thread long. You will need this to pull up the gathers.

Place the thin washer that you want the finish size to be on the fabric.

Pull the long thread to gather the fabric around the washer. Yikes that's blurry. Sorry

Press with a hot (steam) iron. You may want to use a spray starch to really set the shape.

Let it cool for a second (it's hot metal), then carefully open up the gathers just enough to pull out the washer. Reposition the shape of the circle again. This is where the starch will help.

Set with iron again.

and here you are...a cute little circle all ready to applique on your favorite quilt!

Now for the bonus Twofer Tool Time Tuesday

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The holder for all your washers...a shower curtain ring!!

Have a great Tuesday everyone and I'll see you in the hardware store...I'm the one with thread hanging off the back of my pant leg wearing my fancy little apron!!!

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~Karen~