Must-Try Trends: Quarter Circle Unit & Quilts

At American Quilter’s Society, we’ve always got an eye on quilting trends. From innovative techniques to returning classics, there’s a trend for everyone. This month, we’re trying the Quarter Circle unit and quilts.

This simple unit is made using curved piecing, or applique, and can be used in near endless configurations for really stunning quilts.

How to Try This Trend

Click Here to download 3″ finished size Quarter Circle Templates.

Click Here to download 6″ finished size Quarter Circle Templates.

Quarter Circle Units

Use the paper template (or trace them onto a reusable plastic template material like we did) to trace the concave shape onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut out the shape.

Repeat for the convex shape.

Press the concave shapes in half, right sides together. Press the convex shapes in half, wrong sides together.

Place a convex piece on top of a concave piece, right sides together, matching the center creases. Pin the center in place.

Gently bend the concave shape to match the corner of the convex shape and pin. Repeat on the other corner.

Gently pull at the fabric so the edges of the concave and convex shapes match, pinning as needed.

Sew with the convex side down, at a slow speed. It’s helpful to use a quarter inch foot and set the needle to end in the down position, if possible. Remove the pins as you sew.

Check the seam allowance and the smoothness of the curve and make any desired corrections now. For a small Quarter Circle unit, it can be helpful to clip the seam; do what works best for you.

Finger press first to ensure no fabric is left folded into the seam, and then set with a press of the iron. Press yours as best suits your plan.

Applique Alternative:

If you would rather applique the convex shapes, either turn under the curved seam allowance using the freezer paper method or trim off the seam allowance and fuse applique. Topstitch the convex shape to squares to make a Quarter Circle unit.