Piecemakers of Oxford

This technique was taught by Broach Winsley, a former member of the Oxford Piecemakers. Many thanks, Broach!

First, get a tuna can – can be empty (well washed!) or full. In fact, as long as the object is a circle, it does not matter what size nor what object you use – the idea is to use something you have on hand around the house all the time. The reason for this is that when you put the project up and don’t get back to it for some time, you’ll know where your “template” is!

Trace around your can on the back side of your fabric and then cut it out. You will need one (1) circle for the center and then six (6) circles for the petals for each flower.

You take your circle and fold it in half and then in half again like so and then finger-press the edges.

Open up your circle and bring one edge up to the middle, matching your lines, and finger-press your new edge.

Then, take the newly former corner and bring it to your center, but do not overlap. As you make these folds, take a stitch to keep everything in place, being careful not to stitch thru to the front of your hexagon. Finger-press your new edge.

Repeat until you come to the last newly-formed corner, which if you have done everything right, will come to a nice point.

Then, fold this last point down and tack into place

Then, sew the petals together.

Then, sew your flower together! My flowers measure 5” across at the widest point using a standard size tuna can.