FAQs

How do I create perfect circles with APPLIPOPS?

Decide on the size circle you want.
Find one ring that matches that size.
Find the next larger size ring.
Find a scrap of fabric large enough to cover the hole in the larger ring.
Place the fabric right side down on the larger ring.
Place the smaller ring on top of the fabric and press together. The inner ring should sit a hair below the outer, not flush. This will prevent a thick ridge around your circle.
Cut around the edges of the larger outer ring. Leave a scant 1/4” or less for smallest sizes. The less fabric in the SA, the easier it is to coax it down.
Moisten the seam allowance showing with undiluted liquid starch and move/push/coax it toward the center of the inner ring with your fingers. Press with your fingers so that the diameter of your inner ring is SMOOTH, with no folds or pleats. If you see folds, you will end up with a pointy circle. If your inner ring’s diameter is smooth, your finished circle will be, too.
Press the seam allowance toward the center, not sideways, with a hot dry iron. Notice how even the gathers on the underside are. If you see a bulky pleat, distribute it now. If everything looks perfectly eased in on the back, with no points protruding beyond the inner ring, you are guaranteed to have a perfect circle applique when you pop it out.
Allow to cool completely. You must do this. (We know it is hard to wait!)
Pop out your perfect, turned edge, fabric circle and reshape with your fingers if it has gone wonky at all with the popping out.
Then press straight down from the BACK SIDE FIRST to flatten. You can then flip over and press again from the front to flatten even more.

**Check out some of my mom’s APPLIPOPS tutorials on YouTube:

What’s the best type of starch to use with APPLIPOPS?

Concentrated, undiluted starch works best.

We recommend using STA-FLO by Purex. This will work better than Best Press or Niagara. You can also make your own homemade starch. In fact, in a pinch my mom made her own homemade starch recipe and it works great! See Ellen’s recipe below…

Ellen’s homemade starch recipe:

Dissolve 1 teaspoon cornstarch in 1 Tablespoon cold water.
Add 2 Tablespoons boiling water, one Tablespoon at a time to the mixture.
Stir after each Tablespoon. Let cool.
**Always stir before using.
**Homemade starch will separate. No problem - simply shake it up before using.

Alternate Option: Use glue instead of starch to create perfect fabric circles with APPLIPOPS. Here’s how:

Are APPLIPOPS just washers?

No. That would be too easy! APPLIPOPS rings have been fabricated from the highest grade stainless steel, cut to a +/- .001 tolerance, beveled, and are part of a concentric system of graduated diameter rings from 3/8" up to 2 1/2" in quarter inch increments. They slide in and out of each other and off their hook conveniently, enabling you to only remove the specific rings you need.

APPLIPOPS are thinner than a dime, but substantial enough to hold the material. The thinness ensures that you end up with a very flat circle - no thick edges here. The bevel ensures a close fold on the seam allowance side, and the flat side ensures a crisp perfect smooth edge on the applique. The deburring and polishing guarantee a smooth release that won't damage your fabric.

APPLIPOPS were painstakingly tested with quilt weight cottons for the perfect fit that holds the fabric "sandwich" just right. The heat from the rings sets the crease, the undiluted starch maintains the shape, and your circle will stay intact until ready to be sewn down by hand or machine. You will be pleased to note that the inner and outer diameters always differ by 1/4" thus enabling you to use the outer ring as a guide to always cut the perfect seam allowance with no measuring or templates ever.

How exactly do they work?

APPLIPOPS are a ring SYSTEM. It takes TWO to make ONE. It takes two APPLIPOPS to make ONE perfect circle. These are custom fabricated for us to the +/- .001 tolerance level of precision which is 5X more accurate than industry standards.

The rings are designed as a template-free applique system to be used with quilting weight cotton, not wool or upholstery fabric or silk. They are made by a quilter, for quilters who understand cotton fabrics, weaves, thread count. APPLIPOPS are a precision tool that will always work when used according to directions. And they will work in 90 seconds, freeing you up to get on with the business of quilt making, not quilt preparing!

I only want one size, can I just buy multiples?

Absolutely. Just write to jillian@applipops.com and we’ll get you your custom order. Any multiples of five (that’s TEN rings in total) will be $39.99 and you’ll get our multiples discount of 10% off.

Help! My rings are too tight!

There is a flat side of the ring and a beveled side, which gives you a range of options when it comes to making your “fabric sandwich.” As quilters cotton has a range of thickness, you will have to experiment with which sides to use of your rings. If you make your sandwich flat side to flat side, you will get a snugger fit. Bevel to bevel gives you the loosest grip. We want a tight fit so your fabric won’t slip. Sometimes you’ll use flat to bevel, sometimes, flat to flat, etc. Play with it, you will figure out the way it works best!

How to print APPLIPOPS patterns on freezer paper?

Download this document for notes on printing patterns on freezer paper.

Do you offer international shipping?

We do, however you’ll notice the extraordinarily high shipping rates. We understand how frustrating this is and we are trying to figure out a better way to make our applipops available to everyone. If you look under “Find Stores” on our website, scroll down to your country; perhaps another retailer closer to you can ship to you! If you would like to discuss international shipping, please email family@applipops.com.

Where can I buy APPLIPOPS?

We have a growing number of affiliate partners who sell APPLIPOPS in retail stores in the USA as well as abroad. Go to our “Find Stores” page for details.

What payment methods are accepted?

APPLIPOPS accepts payments made with the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. We also accept payments via PayPal. All payments are to be made through the applipops.com website.

Are APPLIPOPS on Amazon?

No, APPLIPOPS are not on Amazon. Good news is you can buy them directly from applipops.com and enjoy free US shipping for orders over $30.

Are APPLIPOPS priced in USD?

Yes. All APPLIPOPS pricing is in USD.

Who invented APPLIPOPS?

My mom, Ellen Rosenbach, is an incredible quilter. She invented APPLIPOPS to make quilting with circles faster, easier, more enjoyable, and more perfect.

You can see her magnificent work on her Facebook and Flickr pages.

A note from Ellen :

APPLIPOPS are a patented, innovative tool I invented for all of us quilters who love little circles and berries but have been discouraged from using them because the old methods have just been too hard.

My rings provide a system that overcomes these deficiencies, thus making sewing and quilting more accessible to everyone, regardless of skill or experience.

Quilters over time have always shared methods and techniques. I want to give back to all you quilters, past and present, who have taught me so much and have helped shape me as a quilt-maker.

I want to thank my online WIProducers group in particular for their dedication, passion, spirit, and advice. I never feel alone when I’m at work. I am inspired by each of you every day.

I promise that APPLIPOPS will save time, improve accuracy, be more fun, and save money because any scrap of fabric can be used to create beautiful appliqués!

APPLIPOPS may be hung on the clip provided and stored easily in your sewing box or drawer. They are easily transportable and will go with you easily to retreats. Because they are concentric, you only have to remove the ring sizes you need (rather than everything on the hook) to make the size circle you need.

Happy APPLIPOPPING and quilty hugs,

Ellen

Shop Now