Quickest way to cut 2.5"D circles?
 

I don't need the circles to be exact because I plan to needle turn them to get a 2" finished circle. But I need 156 circles and have tendonitis in my thumb so cutting with scissors gets painful before long.

I've looked at a bunch of different tools -- die cut machines, Olfa circle cutter (though, I think that only cuts 1 circle at a time), 18mm rotary cutter, etc. I'm just not sure which way to go. I'm not really sure I want to invest in a die cut machine for a single quilt; perhaps I could ask if someone in quilt guild is willing to barter for use of her machine.

Cutting is my least favorite part of quilting. Any suggestions on how to make this process easier would be greatly appreciated!

I would check you glassware and see if you have any close to that size. Cut around with your hand on top of the glass upside down. Should be able to do at least a few layers at a time.

Thanks for your reply!

Would you suggest the 18mm rotary cutter to make the cuts?

This is theory, not practice but: take a square that is 2.5 inches or a little more, put a 2 inch circle (cut from cereal, etc box, must be stiff) inside it and mark circle. Do a running stitch around outside of mark, put circle back inside the drawn circle, then pull up thread around circle leaving tails on both ends. Trim inside (the square points) then iron edges. You can starch to keep the edge. Take out circle and gently tie ends but don't pull thread or you will distort circle. Hope I wrote instructions clearly. It should work.

With your thumb problem, I would think about asking at a LQS that has an accucutter how much they would want to cut out a bunch of circles for you. The price might be worth the absence of pain! Good luck. Ann

krafty14, hmm.... never thought to check at my LQSes. I'm not sure if any of them have a die cut machine, but I will definitely ask.

yngldy, if I can't find someone to cut circles for me, that's not a bad idea. I think that would work nicely with my Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Circles. I actually left out the 2 -- I need 2.25"D circles, so I could maybe cut a scant 2.5" square (or generous 2.25" square) and then draw my 2 circles from there. The KBB circles are like washers -- they have the inner and outer circle to show where to cut and where to fold so I can easily draw in my seam allowance & then stitch right between the 2 lines. It's definitely a bit trickier to do with squares, but it's manageable and wouldn't cause my joint to ache. :)

A Go Baby is on sale now. It would be a great tool for you not only for the circles but for other shapes too.

Since you're in a guild, you could ask if anyone would be willing to barter services with you. They could cut your circles, by hand or machine, in trade for you doing something for them (doesn't even have to be quilting related when you get right down to it). I love cutting, even circles by hand, and would be happy to barter with you if I were in your guild. Beats buying a die cutter at any price to my way of thinking. Good luck.

This is how I was taught to applique any circles. This method makes amazing circles.