I’ve had some comments from participants about piecing in the center A circle of the sunflower block on the mystery quilt. I’ve taught piecing the sunflower hundreds of times so you just have to trust me that this will work.
First, sew all your pieces together to make a circle. (See the blog about piecing the sunflower sequentially.)
Then position your center circle under one of the C triangles, matching the reference marks. Pin the far left corner to one of the reference marks on the circle. (Lefties would put their pin in the right hand corner.) See how the C triangle wants to slip down where my pointer is pointing. You need to push the triangle UP so it will match the circle underneath. You can place a pin in the middle if it helps. (For me, it just gets in the way.)
Pin is inserted from the top to the bottom reference mark.
Placing a pin on the center of the line can help to keep the pieces lined up.
Sew this little section, then backstitch at the left pin, pop the seam allowance up and go through. Continue sewing the entire center in this way. I DO check the stamped line of the circle in the back to make sure I’m hitting it with my stitching.
When you are finished, lay the block face down on the ironing board and press the seams around in a circle.
Press the seams counterclockwise or clockwise if you are left handed.
Trim off the dog ears.
When you turn the block over, you will have a lovely sunflower, ready to baste in the edges and applique into the embroidered block.
I’ve had questions about whether it is easier to APPLIQUE the circle on top. If you think about it, it would be harder, as you have no “ground” for it to hold onto. And, getting that circle to line up EXACT over the C triangles is no trick I’m ready to master. I had an expert appliquer friend that told me she was going to applique it in. I asked her later what was the verdict and she told me it was easier to PIECE it in. I agree. So as I said in my last sunflower blog post, get a mocha, relax and piece the circle in! 
Pretty!
LOVE THIS BLOCK!
Happy Stitching!
The post Sunflower Piecing Tips appeared first on CindyBlackberg.com.