Lesson 6.

1
Piecing: Embroidery Hoop
Base & Button Blocks
Lesson Introduction
In this lesson we will be practicing inset
piec-lique again. We will be making simple
circles this time, which will be a lot easier
than the jar shape from last month. Piec-lique
is a technique that takes lots of practice to
get comfortable with. You may not like the
process much the first few times you try it,
but give it a chance and practice it on other
projects. Once you get the hang of it, I think
you will really like it. Here are some tips to
remember:
In the directions, I call for one sheet (layer) of
freezer paper. If you want, you can double up the
freezer paper for each template, creating card stock
thickness. This can help you achieve smoother
edges. Just lay one sheet of freezer paper waxy
side to the paper side of another piece and iron
them together. Then, peel the paper up from your
pressing board and cut your template out.
When you get to the step where you snip
the seam allowance (before you starch and fold
the seam allowance over), when snipping, try to
stay at least away from the paper template.
If you snip too close to the template, you may
get holes, bumpiness, or puckering.
Try to keep the starch off the edge of
freezer paper template when youre folding
your seam allowance over. The starch will
soften the edge of the freezer paper and you
wont get a smooth curve shape.
Watch the video included with Lesson
6 where I will demonstrate Piec-lique on
the eEmbroidery Hoop Base Block.
1
2
#7 Embroidery Hoop Base
Notion and Suppl y List
12.5 x 12.5 Piece of Freezer Paper
Iron
Starch (regular or medium preferred)
Stencil Brush
Embroidery Hoop Base A1 Template
Elmers Washable School Glue w/ Tip
Scissors
Water Soluble Pen
Rotary Cutter and Ruler
Piecing Thread (I prefer
50wt Aurifl in #2024)
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate APPROX.TIME: 45 minutes TECHNIQUE: Inset Piec-lique
Cutting Chart
Color Qty Size Label
Curry
1 13 x 13 A1
Pewter
1 11 x 11 B1
A1
B1
FIG. 1
3
Piecing the Embroidery
Hoop Base
In this lesson, we are just making the
Embroidery Hoop Base in preparation for the
hand embroidery lesson next month, when
we will finish the block.
STEP #1:
Fold a piece of freezer paper (12.5 x 12.5)
in half twice to mark the center point. Cut
out the A1 quarter circle template. Lay the
template on top of the folded freezer paper,
lining up the corner of the template with the
center point of the freezer paper. Trace the
quarter circle onto the freezer paper with a
pencil or pen.
STEP #2:
With your scissors, cut on the solid line and
discard the paper from the inner circle.
STEP #3:
Fold fabric piece A1 in half twice and press a
crease at the center. Now center the freezer
paper template (waxy side down) onto the
wrong side of piece A1, and press into place
with a hot, dry iron.
STEP #4:
With a water soluble pen, mark seam
allowance inside the edge of the freezer
paper circle on the wrong side of your fabric.
Cut directly on your marked line and remove
the fabric from the inner circle.
#4
#3
#2
#1
4
#8
#7
#6
#5
STEP #5:
Snip into the seam allowance (staying at
least an away from the paper), about
apart, all the way around the circle cutout.
Spray a little starch into the lid of the starch
can. Dab your stencil brush into the starch
and apply a thin, even coat inside your
seam allowance (try to keep the starch off
the freezer paper). With a hot, dry iron, press
your seam allowance over the edge of the
freezer paper.
STEP #6:
Gently remove the freezer paper template.
Place a thin line of glue directly along the
folded edge on the wrong side of the circle
template.
STEP #7:
Center the 11 x 11 (B1) piece of fabric for
the center over the circle and gently press it
into place with your fingers. With a hot, dry
iron, press the glued circle to heat set it.
STEP #8:
Now lift up piece A1 so you can see the
crease between A1 and B1. With a water
soluble marking pen, mark on the crease that
has been created in the seam allowance. Try
to mark directly on the line! This will help you
to see the crease better when you are at the
sewing machine.
5
#11
5
#10
#9
STEP #9:
Sew directly on the crease around the
entire circle. You will need to stop and go as
you sew, lifting the presser foot as needed,
moving the pleats, and continuing. After it is
sewn, press the block flat and trim the seam
allowance to using a pair of scissors.
STEP #10:
Press the seams inward toward piece B1.
This will help your seam to lay flat. It also
helps to dab a little glue with a glue stick
under the seam and heat set it with a hot, dry
iron.
STEP #11:
Trim the finished circle Embroidery Block
Base to 12.5 x 12.5. You can set this block
aside until next month when we will be adding
hand embroidery.
6
6
#8 Button
Notion and Suppl y List
(1) 12 x 10 Freezer Paper (A2)
(1) 8 x 8 Freezer Paper (B2)
(1) 3 x 3 Pellon Ez-Steam II
Button Templates printed
Starch (regular or medium preferred)
Stencil Brush
Elmers Washable School Glue w/ Tip
Water Soluble Pen
Monoflament Thread
Rotary Cutter, Scissors and Ruler
Piecing Thread (I prefer
50wt Aurifl in #2024)
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate APPROX.TIME: 1.5 hours TECHNIQUE: Inset Piec-lique
Cutting Chart
Color Qty Size Label
Pomegranate
1 12 x 10 A2
Storm
1 8 x 8 B2
Pewter
1 6.5 x 6.5 C2
Storm
1 3 x 3 D2
A2
C2
FIG. 2
B2
D2
7
7
#4
#3
#2
#1
Piecing the Button
PIECING THE FIRST CIRCLE
STEP #1:
Cut out the A2 circle template printed from
your computer. Fold a 12 x 10 piece of
freezer paper in half twice to mark the center
point. Trace the circle template centered onto
the freezer paper with a pencil or pen. Cut out
the inner circle and discard.
STEP #2:
Fold fabric piece A2 in half twice and press a
crease at the center. Now center the freezer
paper template (waxy side down) onto the
wrong side of piece A2, and press into place
with a hot, dry iron.
STEP #3:
With a water soluble pen, mark seam
allowance inside the edge of the freezer
paper circle on the wrong side of your fabric.
Cut directly on your marked line and remove
the fabric from the inner circle.

STEP #4:
Snip into the seam allowance (staying at
least an away from the paper), about
apart, all the way around the circle cutout.
Spray a little starch into the lid of the starch
can. Dab your stencil brush into the starch
and apply a thin, even coat inside your
seam allowance (try to keep the starch off
the freezer paper). With a hot, dry iron, press
your seam allowance over the edge of the
freezer paper.
8
8
#7
#6
#5
STEP #5:
Gently remove the freezer paper template.
Place a thin line of glue directly along the
folded edge on the wrong side of the circle.
STEP #6:
Center the 8 x 8 (B2) piece of fabric over
the circle and gently press it into place with
your fingers. With a hot, dry iron, press the
glued circle to heat set it.
STEP #7:
Now lift up piece A2 so you can see the
crease between A2 and B2. With a water
soluble marking pen, mark on the crease that
has been created in the seam allowance. Try
to mark directly on the line! This will help you
to see the crease better when you are at the
sewing machine.
STEP #8:
Sew directly on the crease around the
entire circle. You will need to stop and go as
you sew, lifting the presser foot as needed,
moving the pleats, and continuing. After it is
sewn, press the block flat and trim the seam
allowance to using a pair of scissors.
#8
9
#12
9
#10
#9
#11
PIECING THE SECOND CIRCLE
STEP #9:
Cut out the C2 circle template printed from
your computer. Fold an 8 x 8 piece of
freezer paper in half twice to mark the center
point. Trace the circle template centered onto
the freezer paper with a pencil or pen. Cut out
the inner circle and discard.
STEP #10:
Fold the current block in half twice to mark
the center point.
STEP #11:
Now center the freezer paper template (waxy
side down) onto the wrong side of piece B2,
and press into place with a hot, dry iron.
Note: Make sure that this is truly centered, if not it will look
very uneven later.
STEP #12:
With a water soluble pen, mark seam
allowance inside the edge of the freezer
paper circle on the wrong side of your fabric.
Cut directly on your marked line and remove
the fabric from the inner circle.

10
10
#15
#14
#13
STEP #13:
Snip into the seam allowance (staying at
least an away from the paper), about
apart, all the way around the circle cutout.
Spray a little starch into the lid of the starch
can. Dab your stencil brush into the starch
and apply a thin, even coat inside your
seam allowance (try to keep the starch off
the freezer paper). With a hot, dry iron, press
your seam allowance over the edge of the
freezer paper.
STEP #14:
Gently remove the freezer paper template.
Place a thin line of glue directly along the
folded edge on the wrong side of the circle.
STEP #15:
Center the 6.5 x 6.5 (C2) piece of fabric for
the center over the circle and gently press it
into place with your fingers. With a hot, dry
iron, press the glued circle to heat set it.
STEP #16:
Now lift up piece B2 so you can see the
crease between B2 and C2. With a water
soluble marking pen, mark on the crease that
has been created in the seam allowance. Try
to mark directly on the line! This will help you
to see the crease better when you are at the
sewing machine.
#16
11
11
#19
#18
#17
STEP #17:
Sew directly on the crease around the
entire circle. You will need to stop and go as
you sew, lifting the presser foot as needed,
moving the pleats, and continuing. After it is
sewn, press the block flat and trim the seam
allowance to using a pair of scissors.
STEP #18:
Trace template D2 onto the paper side of a
piece of Pellon Ez-Steam. Peel the waxy
paper backing off a 3 x 3 piece of Pellon
Ez-Steam. Stick the fusible to the wrong side
of fabric piece D2. Rub the fusible generously
with your finger to make sure it is stuck on
evenly.
STEP #19:
Using small scissors, cut out each circle and
remove the paper backing.
Note: The paper can be a little difficult to peel off on small
pieces. Try using needle-nose tweezers.
STEP #20:
Cut each D2 circle out of the C2 template.
With the block right side up, lay the template
down centered on top of fabric piece C2.
Using a water soluble pen, trace the D2
circles, marking their position.
#20
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#23
#21
12
STEP #21:
Position each D2 circle into place on the
block and press them with a hot, dry iron.
Set your machine to a zig-zag stitch with a
width of 1.0 and length of 1.5. Thread your
machine with clear monofilament thread (use
a small needle like a 70/10). As you learned
in Lesson 5, stitch around the edge of each
D2 circle.
STEP #22:
Finally, press the outermost seam inward
toward the center circle. It helps to snip into
the seam allowance once more, then use
a little dab of a glue stick under the seam
allowance to keep it flat and heat set it with a
hot, dry iron.
STEP #23:
Trim your finished block to 11.5 x 9.5.
#22
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Lesson 6: Coloring Sheet
13
14
Lesson 6: Embroidery Base Template
Embroidery
Hoop Base
Templates
1
Print template
at 100% no
scaling.
Measure the 1
guide box to
be sure your
template is
the correct
size.
A1
15
Lesson 6: Button Templates
Button
Templates
1
Print template
at 100% no
scaling.
Measure the 1
guide box to
be sure your
template is
the correct
size.
C2
D2 D2
D2 D2
B2