How to sew perfect circles
 

That is VERY smart! I'll be using that. thanks!

My sewing machine extension table has little holes drilled in it just for this very purpose. The up side it the business end of the thumb tack points down. This method works just as well, just watch out for that pointy tip, an eraser or cork will help with the safety issue.

Wow gonna try that!
Love this board, it makes me smart!

Great idea Where do you put the tack to determine the size of the circle? Thanks

Wonderful idea. Can't wait to try it.

What a great tip this was. Thanks so much for sharing. Definitely going to try it.

fran you measure out from the needle half the size of the circle you want ( if you want a 3" circle you would measure over 1 1/2") to the tack and sew your decortive stitch. Hope you can understand this, much easier to show than to type insrtuctions.

I'll have to try this. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks. What a great idea.

Super Duper idea.

Thank you Luannh I will try it

Thanks for this inexpensive and valuable tip!!

What a GREAT tip!!!

Okay now it makes sense. Couldn't see how sewing around a tack would give you a circle., lol. Thanks for explaining it to those of us who are circularly challenged.

now that is a great idea.

I have a circle maker attachment for my Singer 301. I have been planning on using it to make a mock cathedral window quilt.

I saw this demonstrated on PBS tv last week on Martha's show (not Stewart.) Very clever and I intend to try it soon.

What a good idea, will definatly give that a go

Nancy of Nancy's notions showed this method. She called it the low tech version. It works.

I first saw this "tack" trick in the early 70's. I thought every one knew this idea. I have used it several times. Singer has a flower foot, I have seen it on HSN. Not sure if I would buy one since I know the tack trick.

Tack in sewing machine
 

I guess I am pretty thick headed but I don't understand how you can put a tack in your sewing machine.

tryitall, you don't put the tack in your machine. You need for your machine to be in a cabinet (or at least that's the way I do it). And, no, the tack doesn't go IN the cabinet either. I used masking tape or painter's tape and taped the tack straight out to the left of the needle - with the point facing UP. Then you put the middle of a piece of fabric on the tack, the edge of the fabric under the foot, and start sewing. The fabric spins in a circle as you sew. I put a rubber eraser over the tack to keep the fabric from slipping off.

Hope this is makes it more clear.

Tate

Clever idea , thanks.

What a neat idea. Thank you for sharing.