perfect circles
08-14-2011, 11:56 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I cannot make circles either. This is my method for the center of my Dresden plates that may work for you too.
First I find a cup, bowl, saucer, lid, etc. to use as a pattern for the size I want.
I trace it on the smooth side of light non-woven interfacing with a colored 'sharpie' to match the circle fabric (just in case it 'shows' through).
I then layer interfacing and fabric, (right side to bumpy side) then stitch the circle slowly, following the line I drew.
When finished sewing, trim fabric about 1/8 from stitching around outer edge.
Make a slit in the interfacing near the center. Turn right side out.
Now you have to decide if you need to trim most of the center away, or work with it in place. For hand applique I leave it in, then trim it CAREFULLY away from the back after sewing, but for machine applique I trim most of it away leaving about 1/4 inch around. Iron in place, than stitch using method of my choice.
I learned this from Eleanor Burns. Works for any circle size.
First I find a cup, bowl, saucer, lid, etc. to use as a pattern for the size I want.
I trace it on the smooth side of light non-woven interfacing with a colored 'sharpie' to match the circle fabric (just in case it 'shows' through).
I then layer interfacing and fabric, (right side to bumpy side) then stitch the circle slowly, following the line I drew.
When finished sewing, trim fabric about 1/8 from stitching around outer edge.
Make a slit in the interfacing near the center. Turn right side out.
Now you have to decide if you need to trim most of the center away, or work with it in place. For hand applique I leave it in, then trim it CAREFULLY away from the back after sewing, but for machine applique I trim most of it away leaving about 1/4 inch around. Iron in place, than stitch using method of my choice.
I learned this from Eleanor Burns. Works for any circle size.
08-14-2011, 11:56 AM
#52
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Originally Posted by mariebaker
Originally Posted by cmrenno
Make a template the size of the finished circle (from cardboard.) Cut a fabric circle one inch larger. Sew a running stitch around the fabric circle. Place the template inside the fabric circle and draw up the thread. Knot it off. Lightly spray with starch. Press. Remove basting thread and cardboard and there you have a perfect circle. You may want to press again. When you get to where you do a lot of these I recomend heat proof template plastic from the quilt shop. You can use it over and over. Good luck with your project!
08-14-2011, 12:04 PM
#53
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 3,519
08-14-2011, 12:54 PM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Leesburg, Florida
Posts: 817
Best way - get the circle templates and use them. Walmart has a 1/2 circle template set. I am sure you can get the full circles from any quilt shop or online at one of our catalog places. It will make a difference using the circle!
Originally Posted by sisLH
HELP please! I CANNOT make ggod circles by hand or by machine. I can cut out good circles but how can I attach them and still have them look circular?! I want to do a Mariner's Compass. While I have seen them with no circle in the center, that is the pattern that I prefer. I skip other patterns because of this circle problem. How do you get yours the best way?
08-14-2011, 01:28 PM
#55
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 243
The quickest way I have found to do circles is, take a thumb tack and some blue painters tape. Decide how big you want your circle, lets say 3", then you put the thumb tack, pointed side up, 1 1/2 inches from needle(1/2 of circle size). Put the center of the fabric on the thumb tack, take a cork (from the wine bottle) and put on top of the tack, sew slowly with short stitches. Do a little guiding and you get a circle.
08-14-2011, 04:37 PM
#59
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bay Area near San Francisco
Posts: 1,213
Originally Posted by sisLH
To cmrenno and bluteddi --- I like your ideas on them and will try both as making them those ways sounds much easier. When I am doing the actual attaching of mine is when I have the most difficulty. I pin them nicely and think I am sewing them nicely but they look more like alien circles or weird ovals when I'm done. Any hints there??
If you're inserting a circle into the center of a Mariner's Compass, you can cut a circle the correct size in a sheet of freezer paper. Place that carefully on the back of your mariner's compass, iron it in place, and then clip the circle and press the seam allowance out over the freezer paper. Then put glue on the seam allowance, place the fabric you want in the circle and let it dry. Take off the freezer paper and sew the circle down.
I'm making DH a Yin-Yang quilt and it's all seamed - no applique.
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