Batik Bulls Eye Quilt Block Tutorial

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Bulls Eye Quilt block Tutorial

Batiks are the perfect quilt fabric for a Bullseye quilt block if you would like a raw edge quilt design that doesn’t fray a lot.

Batik Circles precut with AccuQuilt GO! die

Today I’ll share lots of full-color photos to show you how I make my Bulls eye quilt blocks.

Tutorial BullsEye block quartered

Should it be called Bullseye quilt block or Bulls Eye quilt block? I’m not sure but you’ll enjoy this easy tutorial.

Batik Bulls Eye quilt block tutorial

Batiks are one of my favorite fabrics for quilting as the weave is finer, there is usually no right or wrong side, the colors are vibrant and you get very little fraying.

Last week I shared a couple of the Bullseye quilts that I made a couple years ago and then I got inspired to make a new quilt. I mentioned that if you have a AccuQuilt GO! Circle die, it would be perfect for a Bulls Eye quilt and I put both of the circle dies on my wishlist.
Bullseye circle blue
 
I have a template for the 4″, 6″, 7″ and 8″ circles that you can download and use to make your Bullseye quilt blocks.
AccuQuilt GO! Circles die

AccuQuilt GO! Circle die

Would you believe I already had the large AccuQuilt GO! Big circle die! It is huge and only works with the AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Cutter.
AccuQuilt GO! Circle DieAccuQuilt Go Circles smaller 
#55462 is made for the GO! BIG cutter
and is the 4″, 6″, 7″ and 8″ circles.
#55012 is the 2″, 3″ and 5″ circles.

I started out with the GO! Baby die cutter, then bought the AccuQuilt GO! cutter and now use the AccuQuilt GO! BIG electric cutter for everything. Since it is electric, you no longer have to crank the lever to send your dies through the cutter. All of the dies work with the GO! BIG electric cutter so this is the one to buy.

Okay, let’s get on with the tutorial!

Supplies:

I am going to make my batik Bullseye blocks using scraps and fabrics in my stash – I’m also not sure how big I’m going to make the quilt……yet.

  • Fat Quarters work great for getting a complete one set of the 4 circles – if you are using the AccuQuilt GO! Circle – large size.
  • Neutral fabrics for your background block
  • A neutral thread for stitching – I used Aurifil thread
Check out my Batik fabric stash

Need some batiks for your Bulls Eye quilt blocks? Bluprint always has sales going on for their fabrics – you would want the Fat Quarter bundle. I bought the 6″ strips last month and they would work for a Bulls Eye block made with smaller circles.

If you are using the AccuQuilt circle die I would recommend cutting your fat quarters to 14″ wide before running the fabric through the GO! Big cutter.

Using my templates? I would recommend tracing them onto freezer paper and ironing the paper to your fabric before cutting the circles out.

AccuQuilt GO ruler for background

Once you have your circles cut out, use Elmer’s School Glue to hold the circles together and then add to your neutral block. Try not to put any glue in the center of the circles.

Bullseye circle glue

Cut your neutral background fabric into squares. I happen to have several 12 ½” square rulers so I decided to make all of my blocks that size. You could also cut your blocks into 12″ squares. I wouldn’t recommend going any smaller as it is easier to quilt your Bulls Eye quilt when you have a little more room between the circles.

Aurifil Thread for BullsEye

Fold your 12½” square in quarters and press to get a crease that will help you line up your circles. I just eyeballed where I thought the center was.  Choose a thread that is neutral to stitch your circles with.
Stitch about  Â¼” around each circle, I just used a foot on my sewing machine that was close to that.

Quarter inch seam on bulls eye quilt block

TIP: – start and stop your stitching where the crease is on the background – then when you cut your circles that part will be in the seam allowance.

Closeup of where to start stitching:

Stitching here for circles

Once you have the stitching all done you are ready to cut your block into 4 sections. Just use the crease marks as a guide.
Remember when I said – Don’t put glue in the center of the circles?

The reason is that we want to reduce bulk when we sew the blocks together. If you put glue in the center you can still do this part but you’ll have to pull the centers away from the background.

I trimmed off the corner of the 3 larger circles. I left the background fabric for stability (you don’t have to). If I hadn’t trimmed the sections there would have been a total of 5 layers at the corner and when I stitched 2 sections together……that would be 10 layers! Very bulky.

Bulls Eye blocks trimmed

Continue making more of the Bullseye blocks. Right now I have used the same fabric for the background but I will be adding more neutral colors to give my quilt a scrappy look.

Bulls Eye sections

I hope you have enjoyed this fast and easy Batik Bulls Eye quilt block tutorial. I updated this post to include a photo of the Bulls Eye quilt that I made and you can read more about it on the post I did about it.

Bulls Eye Quilt tutorial

Batik Bulls Eye quilt block tutorial

Update: Check out my finished little Bulls Eye batik quilt!

If you like working with circles, you’ll want to grab this FREE quilt pattern for the Retro Circles.

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Connie with her dogs

About Connie

Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.

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77 Comments

  1. Thank you for the cool tutorial. Getting ready to attack my scrap bin tonight!

  2. Linda Hill says:

    Thank you so much for the inspiration!!!!! I have been in a bit of a funk about Quilting but as soon as I saw saw your design I knew exactly what I want to do with my brand new circle cutter I just bought when visiting my sister in Washington at Wal mart for over have the price off ( including the exchange) ! I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I was looking for a different block and you have given it to me so now I can finish up one of my quilts! Thanks again and Happy Quilting!

  3. Winning these circles would be the lottery for me. My next quilt is a comfort quilt for my daughter’s coworker recently diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer. She loves tie dye, and I thought batiks in bullseye blocks would be perfect. I’ll be making a throw to take to chemo sessions. Thank you for the opportunity!

  4. No, I’ve never made a bulls eye quilt before. After seeing yours, I will be making one. I would use bright colors like yours, orange, pink, turquoise, and yellow.

  5. It might be fun to try a Bulls Eye Quilt in yellows, oranges and browns. Fallish colors.

  6. Denise V. says:

    Never made a bull eyes quilt but love to give it a try. Love batik fabric. Thanks for the giveaway.

  7. Very pretty quilt pattern and fabrics. Thank you for the tutorial 🙂

  8. I have never made a bulleye’s quilt but this looks like so much fun I want to do one soon. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Jean McKinstry says:

    Those circles are such fun, and batiks are my favourite fabric, so little fraying, and finely woven. Purple, blue and green, my fav colours.

  10. Jacqueline Frances says:

    Hiya Connie!
    LOVE your colours!
    I have the smaller Accuquilt circle die and love it! I don’t have the Accuquilt Go Big machine so can’t get the Big dies….BUT it’s my birthday in September and I’ve already started lobbying for the Go Big…LOL!
    Thanks & quilty Huggs!

  11. Judith Crespo says:

    Thanks for the free template, Connie! And of course the tutorial. I’m looking forward to trying this out.

  12. I’ve never made a bullseye quilt, but I would love to make one in bright rainbow colors. Thanks for the great tutorial and for the chance to win.

  13. I have never made one of these quilts, how pretty! I would love to make this quilt in greens and blues!

  14. A hex on you Connie. Everytime you post a new quilt, you make me want to make one. I have been saving circled fabric for over a year to make a baby quilt. I might have to make an appointment to visit you and your GO!

  15. I have been wanting to make a Bull’s Eye quilt. Thank you for these instructions! Scrappy batiks will make a pretty one! I like all colors. The ones you used here are pretty and happy!

  16. Susan the Farm Quilter says:

    Bright and cheerful colors to create a colorful rainbow quilt would be my choice! Love the quilt! Thank you for the giveaway!

  17. CHARLOTTE KEY says:

    I just bought the large die yesterday and now one of the first emails I have seen today is about the die. Timing is everything. Thanks for your tutorial.

  18. Carol San Diego says:

    What a great way to make such a colorful quilt! Although any fabric will be good I like the batiks best.

  19. I made a bulls eye wall hanging many years ago using scraps, so if I win, I’ll take any color of batiks. Thanks for the giveaway!

  20. carolyn montgomery says:

    i would love to make the bulls eye in shades of blue, green, and yellow. thanks for the chance to win.

  21. I did this with squares some years ago… This looks like fun. I have the small circle set of dies

  22. Brenda Hulsey says:

    I like the bulls eye pattern. Also did a roses like this!

  23. Michele T says:

    These Bulls Eyes are so cool!!! I’d love bright colours!!

  24. Thanks for another great tutorial

  25. Melissa Latter says:

    I have never made a bulleyes quilt, for the same reason you mentioned. Im afraid of fraying. But batiks are a perfect choice!!
    Hoping I win the circles so I can try it. Thanks for the giveaway.

  26. Melissa Latter says:

    Love the idea!! I din’t think I have come across a batik that I didn’t like. But if I have to choose I would pick bright prints as my fav.
    Thanks so much for the chance at a give away.

  27. Lorene Holbrook says:

    Love your idea here! When it comes to batiks ANY color is drool worthy!

  28. Lynda Morrissette says:

    No I haven’t. Sure like yours. I always like pinks

  29. That really looks great, Connie. You DO have an amazing stash of batiks. I’d probably do mine in blue, yellow and green. Nice tutorial on it too.

  30. I have never made a bull’s eye quilt, but after seeing your, I would love to. I was thinking, as I was reading your tutorial, how much I’d love to find a place that would cut the circles out for me, as I don’t have a Go machine. This would make it so nice to win these!! I love any color combo, so I’d be very appreciative of any that I gt. Thanks for a great tutorial and giveaway!!

  31. Beth Stanfield says:

    Thanks for such a wonderful tutorial. I love batiks and this is a great use for them since the variety within a single fabric would contribute to the design nicely.
    I love blues, purples and greens. But I love them all.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Beth Stanfield

  32. I love bright colors and great contrasting fabrics. Thanks for the give away

  33. I just bought myself the big circles die for my Go Big. This looks like fun! I make donation quilts so anything goes. What would it look like if you staggered the circles? Or even just did single circles? Hmmm now I have to go play…

  34. Janine A. says:

    The bulls eye quilt is so colorful–perfect for baby!

  35. Julie Averill says:

    Never made a bullseyes quilt. Right now I am into brights….and love those batiks too 🙂

  36. I not made a bullseye quilt, however, should I get that opportunity, I’d love to do so in purples and teals!

  37. A bullseye quilt in purple, turquoise, aqua and lavender would be perfect! Maybe add in some bright pinks for interest.

  38. I love the look of the quilt but no I haven’t made one.

  39. I love the retro looking quilt. I never made anything with circles, but I would love to start doing so. I love turquoise, and green. Thank you for having this giveaway!

  40. Nancy sietz says:

    I haven’t made one, but looks like a great way to use up some fabric.

  41. Inge Lise Hansen says:

    Har lavet en pude med teknikken for mange år siden.
    Ville elske at sy et tæppe til sofaen i grønne farver.
    Tak for din tutorial

  42. This is so much fun. I made a bulls eye quilt a number of years ago but was not thrilled with the bulk I encountered in the middle. Your solution method reduces that and is perfect. Thanks!

  43. I’ve never made a bullseye quilt but I love yours. I’ve never met a batik that I don’t love!

  44. Toni Anne Potter says:

    I have the Go Baby and the small circle die, thanks for the great pattern (I’ll be following for the rest) I think this would make a wonderful baby quilt with the small die. I would be thrilled to win some batik circles, the colors are so vibrant. I’m so envious of your batik stash, I have some blue, purple and pink I’ve collected and some scraps. Your stash blew me away! Thank for throwing a spark into my lack of creativity, I wish I were able to design that that. ;-> Tpott

  45. No, I’ve never made a bulls-eye quilt, but I am very interested in making one now that I see yours! The tutorial makes it very clear and simple to do. Mine would be a rainbow of colors! Purple would definitely be the boss!

  46. No, I have not, as yet, made a bull’s eye quilt. I like yours though!

  47. Nancy Myers says:

    This looks like a fun project to make. I did not know Accuquilt had a die with 4 circles. It’s on my wishlist now.

  48. Gaila Gilliland says:

    I love your circles quilt concept! I’d love batiks in blue, purple, soft red, and orange . . . or whatever you w9 choose. Thanks for the opportunity for a lucky soul to win your beautiful batiks!

  49. I like the Batik bull eye version. It is going to be a awesome quilt.

  50. I’ve never made a circle quilt but if I did, I would want it to be scrappy with bright saturated colors of all kinds!

  51. Sadie looks very comfortable riding on the golf cart. She is such a cutie!

  52. I have not made a bulls eye quilt or even block before. Batiks are my favorites; currently I am very partial to turquoise, lime, and purple. However, I am open other colors. Thank you for the chance to win.

  53. I love your tutorials, I new to quilting an gosh am I having FUN. Thank you for helping enjoy my newest addiction. If I win, any colors you want to send will, I am sue, will be awesome.

  54. I would love any bright colors of batik. I made a bullseye quilt about 20 years ago from flannels. A die cutter really would speed it up. I have a studio cutter but not any big circle dies. The pattern I used had you remove the background after the first big circle was sewn down then sew down the next size an cut away the back of first circle. The cut aways could be used for smaller circles and it was 3 circles deep.

  55. I recently discovered you and your site and am making the River Whirls quilt using your tutorial. What great instructions are given and I thank you for making things so easy to understand. Just saw the Bulls Eye quilt and love it. If I’m lucky enough to win this give away, I would love the circles in bright happy colors. You choose. Many thanks.

  56. I ‘ve not tried bulls eye circle. I have worked with batiks love the colors you used in this quilt..

  57. I haven’t done anything with circles yet. I would love bright colors.

  58. I’m making wheelchair quilts for the health center where I live. These would be great on a quilt like that.

  59. I tried one block years ago and then quit-not sure why, it’s been so long ago! I think any colors would be wonderful.

  60. Susie Galasso says:

    Love the batick bullseye! I have made a bullseye quilt before, very scrappy, and I would love some colorful Natick circles to make another !
    Susan in NE PA
    susie.galasso@gmail.com

  61. Susan Spiers says:

    I’ve never tried bullseye circles before-very interesting and unique! Thank you for sharing, Susan

  62. Lisa Marie says:

    I haven’t made a Bulls Eye quilt. I am partial to blues and greens, especially the bright ones. I also like to add in orange or yellow sometimes. I think an assortment of these colors would make a lovely Bulls Eye quilt.

  63. Well if I sewed quilts this would be one to try. I thought you worked with narrow curved strips of fabric and that would be sooooo difficult. I like your circles method and how much easier it is. I always love your beautiful Batik fabrics. Happy to see you are able to sew. Sweet Connie. <3

  64. Carol Nelms says:

    I have not made a Bulls Eye, something to look forward to. I love cool colors, thanks

  65. Interesting tutorial! I’d probably use greens, that seems to be what I’m doing this year, and would you believe that’s what my stash has the least!

  66. I have never made a bull’s eye quilt, but would like to do so.
    It really is hard to go wrong with batiks. Any colors are fine. They are my favorite fabrics.

  67. Debbie Clarke says:

    Great tutorial……thanks for your technique.

  68. Never made a bullseye quilt. I usually avoid circles but this looks fun

  69. Love the circles- have always wanted to make a circle quilt- very nice to have dies that cut so accurately- I love all the bright colors you choose so I am sure that what ever you choose will be brilliant..
    Thanks for the chance to win these batik circles.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

  70. Joan Sorensen says:

    Have never made a bulls eye quilt. I lean towards warm reds, deep purple, chartreuse, mustard.

  71. Gill Moore says:

    I’ve never made a bulls eye quilt, but it looks great fun! I’d love to make one in turquoise/purples

  72. No, I’ve never made a Bull’s Eye Quilt before. Beautiful! Love the pops of colour! I probably would choose blues and purples.

  73. Joyce Carter says:

    I really like your quilt. When I first saw it, I thought you had used the Drunkards Path quilt pattern. So I was worried about curves. But your method is very simple. I have never made a Bulls Eye quilt, but I using your method would be easy for me to make one. I love the fabrics that you had in the picture. They would make a beautiful quilt. Thank you for the giveaway.

  74. Sandy A in St. Louis says:

    I have some bulls eye blocks in 30s repros that I got from a swap several years ago. This has inspired me to get them out and see how many more I need for a quilt!