After you make the circle, you can baste the shape before permanently attaching. It will keep the placement and shape without getting distorted. I use 1/2" and 1" applique pins - they are wonderful! I couldn't live without them.

I make a template out of freezer paper. I then cut out the circle out of fabric with seam allowance. I then iron the freezer paper onto the wrong side. I then apply glue and press the seam allowance down, works great for me.

I go one step further, by actually using a square pieces of fabric (right sides together), drawing my circle on the lighter piece, stitching the circle through both pieces of fabric and than carefully cut a slit in the side that is not going to show.

It is easier to sew a circle on a square and not have it come out mis-shapped than trying to sew around a circle piece of fabric.

I than cut a scant fourth of inch around the circle with pinking shears and than I do not have to clip around the circle.

Cherry in Texas

This is the way Eleanor Burns does it, but she uses fusible as the second fabric. Then she irons it in place before she sews it down. Works great.

Here is a tutorial that may be helpful. This is how I do them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ChE9UBWA8A

Iron the circle onto the fabric. Then blind stitch by hand or machine stitch around the edges.

I do mine just like cmrenno.

Use a coffee filter for the circle

Hey Gals, great tips for doing circles. I've just gone from being afraid of cirles to can't wait to do some...lol

thanks for the instructions. I have used freezer paper in the past, but this sounds even more precise :-D

This might be expensive for one project but if you happen to have a Babylock or Brother machine, they have a "circular" attachment that sews perfect circles and the sizes are adjustable.

You would sew the circle, then cut just beyond the stitches. Apply as normal.

I bought it cause I thought it was cool. Been playing around with different ideas. Kinda fun tool.

Other than that, I just find something in my kitchen approx. the size I'm looking for and use that.

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.

I like your method also.

Hi,

I have one of these!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=180NDoeRGDU


Hugs

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!

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.

That's what I use - they are great!

I've seen lots of Mariners Compass patterns done with paper piecing. I totally agree about circles, they scare the crap out of me. When I do them by the pin method it never works.

Great suggestions! Thanks to everyone that replied. I too have been "circleless". Maybe now I will try them!

Elmer's Washable School Glue is the best if you're appliqueing. After you have made your circle, simply glue it down. When the glue dries (ironing helps), simply sew the circle down.

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.

Here are the instructions I drafted for making the Yin-Yang Block.

Thank you for all your responses. Now I have lots to practice.

If you have not seen the "Easy Circle Cut" template by Sharon Hultgren...google it. It goes from 2" to 10" Perfect circle every time. The 1/4 seam allowance is figured in also. And it comes with the small blade cutter. So quick and easy. I love it

Maybe once you stitch them together, before clipping and turning...you need to clip the curves to be sure it turns out all the way when you turn it right side out? Use a skewer or something to push the seams all the way out to the edge of the circle. Good luck!

I did not read thru the whole thread but Anna Maria Horner has a really good tutorial that I love on making circles. Here it is:

http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/...r-circles.html

I do it this way too but use lightweight iron on interfacing instead of the muslin so you can iron it on and then stitch around it. That is how I did my avatar.

I have tried and tried but I still can not FMQ a circle. I haven't tried applique but would be very happy if I could FMQ a good circle!

Instead of using fabric on the back, I use very lightweight small mesh (bridal) tulle. Nowhere near as bulky at the seams and doesn't fray.

I have used different size plates and saucers and they make perfect circles. Have also used the compass tool but it's rather small for the circles I wanted to make.

If you don't have a ruler to cut circles, use anything round that will give you the desired size circle. You can use a compass, lot cheaper than the circle ruler. Then make another circle about 1/2" smaller. If appliquing, use this circle to trace on the right side of the circle your stitching line, folding under as you go. For machine sewing, use bluteddi's method. Mostly its just practice, practice. You'll do good.

Love to cut circles now that I have the Accuquilt cutter. They have a die cutter with 3 different sizes of circles on it. Very fast.

Sis
Have you tried karen Kay Buckley's perefect circles. Her method is the best. Go to her website www.karenkaybuckley.com

Margaret