Wagon Wheel Tutorial

After making about forty something of these circles, some of you asked me how are they made. Well, the technique that I use is a mix of techniques, tricks, and templates that I found along the way. I  refined some of the steps to make them my own way. I tried really hard to follow some tutorials I found; but to tell you the truth, I needed to find a way to make it simple in order to make so many of them. Here is how I make my wagon wheels.

First you need your download these templates, print them, and cut them out in card stock. If you are planning to make more than nine circles I suggest you cut a few more. They do wear out after so much tracing and ironing.

Each wheel has twelve spokes. Choose your fabrics in three groups of four: dark colors, mediums and light. This will give your wheel a nice color balance.

Trace your twelve spokes and cut them along the lines.

Organize the spokes into two half circles of six spokes each.

 

Now you're ready to start sewing your spokes. Leaving a quarter of and inch seam allowance, sew six spokes to make a half circle.

You should end up with two half circles like this. Don't forget to press all your seam allowances in the same direction. Don't let any folds "eat" away part of your half circle when pressing. You'll need all the fabric in your spokes to make a perfect circle.

This is the step that will make your circles perfect. Place the middle line of your square ruler in the middle seam of your half circle, align the as perfect as can be. Then cut any remaining fabric (if any) outside of your ruler. It may be a thin wedge of fabric or a bit more. Do the same with your other half circle.

Put your two half circles right sides together, place the pins and sew them together to make a whole wheel. Remember to leave a quarter inch seam allowance.

Press your seams all in the same direction.

And there you have your wagon wheel.

Now take a 13 by 13 inch square of fabric to make your block. Fold it in fourths so that you get two crossing lines in the middle of it. Press it and then put it aside.

Put your finished wagon wheel facing down on your ironing board and center your card stock template. You can make it by eye since there is no more that a quarter of an inch left out side the big circle template. As even as possible spray a bit of light starch at the edge of your wheel.Then press the edges over the template with your warm iron. The edge of your wheel will feel a bit hard and it will stick to the card stock. That's why you only need a bit of starch, you don't want to rip your template.

Un-stick the template from your wheel, and there it is: a prefect circular edge for an easy applique

Unfold your 13in by 13in fabric. Align the crossing lines in your square of fabric and the crossing lines in your wheel and pin the wheel to your square like so, and put it aside.

Now take your small circle template and trace it onto a piece of fabric for the center of your wheel. Cut it leaving a quarter of an inch allowance.

Spray some light starch on the edge of your circle and press the edges over your template like you did with your wheel.

Un-stick your template, fold your fabric circle in half and press...

fold it again like a cheeky beak.

 Then opened and center your small circle by aligning the crossing lines in the middle with the rest of the crossing lines in your block

You can either hand stitch or machine sew with an applique stitch. I personally prefer to hand  stitch....

and there you have it.

It wasn't too hard, was it??

Let me know if I need to explain better any of the steps.

Enjoy!!

PS: I want to thank my dear Jose, for helping me with the PDF file for this tutorial.

Edit: Here's the husband typing... If you have trouble printing (the images are too light) try to download the "dark" version at "www.threekitchenfaires.com/WagonWheelTutorialDark.pdf". Both versions printed OK on my machine, hopefully this will solve your issue...

Comments

[Rita]

you're so so soooo awesome! thanks for this fantastic tutorial! I love your wagon wheel quilt and your tutorial is really great! I totally look forward to trying this this weekend! thank you!!

[libbyQ]

what a great job you've done with this tutorial and i can hardly wait to give it a go~!!!~

thank you~!~
:)
libbyQ

[Ladybelle]

Very good directions and easy to follow. I think I can do it. Thanks

[caroll]

Wow! What a great job. I just got my computer back and found this tutorial. Love it. Very clear directions.

[mami]

Que barbara!!! que divinura de proyecto y las instrucciones mas claras imposible.
You are soooo good!!
TQM
Mami

[Lisa]

What a great tutorial, thank you for sharing it! As soon as I saw your beautiful Wagon Wheel quilt, I knew I wanted to make one!

[Lois/Laurel]

The template pieces did not print out, Just the printed matter. What happened? Do you need to make the template marking darker?
Thanks.

[Paloma]

Oops!! I'm going to check with my technical manager( husband). It print just right last night.
Let me check and I will send you the templates.
I apologize.

Paloma

[Jose]

Here's the husband typing... If you have trouble printing (the images are too light) try to download the "dark" version at "www.threekitchenfaires.com/WagonWheelTutorialDark.pdf". Both versions printed OK on my machine, hopefully this will solve your issue...

[kendall micayla]

oh thank you! i spent the longest time looking at the block you made for one of the ATWQB trying to figure out how you did it! :)
also, where on earth did you get that darling fabric with the houses on it? its positively lovely. i must get more prints like that :)

[Mini]

Great tutorial, and congrats on being featured on Whip It Up!

[aneela]

Right that's a definate on the to do list and your instructions are making me not too ill about confronting my fear of curves in quilting!!!!
Love the pic of you and your little sis and the fairies on vacation!!!!

[Amy - parkcitygirl]

Great tute Paloma!!

[Patri]

Gracias a vos Paloma! Soy Patri de El Almacén de telas, y te doy mil gracias por un tutorial tan lindo y bien explicado!! Por enseñarnos este bloque precioso!!! (siempre digo a la gente que visita mi blog que quienes lo hacen posible son uds.! los que se ocupan y se toman el tiempo de compartir cosas tan bellas

besoss

Patri

[Keti]

Thanx for the wonderful lesson:)

[ของขวัญ]

Thank you for tutorial.

[Holly]

Thanks for sharing your method. I can't wait to try this!

[martha gonzalez]

PALOMA ESTO ESTA SUPER, EN LA FORMA EN QUE LO PRESENTAS LO HACES PARECER TAN FACIL, QUE REDUCES A ALGO MUY CIERTO ALGO QUE NO ES TAN FACIL. QUE BUENO QUE HAY PERSONAS COMO TU TAN INTELIGENTES Y PRACTICAS, GRACIAS POR HACERLO.
TIA MARTHA.FELICIDADES.

[Cheryl]

Great job explaining your technique!

[Anna]

Hey there, lady! Thank you so much for the templates. I've been bouncing around ideas for a new quilting project. It's almost autumn here in Pennsylvania and time to start putting more blankets on the beds at night...brrr. I also have to say that I loved the music you chose. I was actually a bit sad when I clicked on "template" for the download and one of my favorite songs switched. Would you be able to send me your playlist? -Thank you

[Elaine]

Thank you very much for this tutorial, is this the same as a Dresdan Plate, if it is the Tutorial I was looking at said you had to use some sort of special ruler, but they were very expensive. Will definitely have a go with this.