Do a sample. I think I would draw the long circle, like putting an inch in the center. If you are going to do the embroidery by machine, I would not cut out the circles, just draw them on your fabric but keep the fabric large enough to maybe make 4 circles. That way it would fit into your hoop. You would have more room to work with and you could embroidery the full circle and not work with halves, it would go easier this way. You then could cut out the emb. pieces, sew it to the half circles only so that would be easier too. It will be beautiful!