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I was taught to use a thumbtack, but, I got tired of that trick so I bought the circular attachement for my machine.
I see you're in Kentucky. If you're near Paducah English's Sew & Vac has them. They're wonderful people to deal withl. Even if you're not near Paducah they'll ship it to you. |
circles
Originally Posted by DonnaFreak
(Post 4765800)
OK.....somebody has GOT to know what the secret is to sewing a circle without it being more jagged than a shark's teeth! I just wanna know who's holding out on filling me in?!?!? HELP!!! *grumble* LOL!
Donna |
Hmmm. That's odd. But if you get junk, just go to the bottom of the email and unsubscribe. :c)
Donna
Originally Posted by amyjo
(Post 4768562)
yeah, just went there. had to sign up to use the site and then couldn't get the pattern anyway. will probably be getting a bunch of junk now.
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You also want to lighten up the tension on the pressure foot a bit to help go around. Go slow and shorten the length of the stitch a bit.
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Donna, those eyes on the owl are adorable. Thanks for sharing.
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So cute!!!
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Set in Circles
Originally Posted by RugosaB
(Post 4765831)
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Donna,
This is a good video reveals the secret and shows you how to handle inner and outer curves and points when machine appliqueing them. http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/videos...ideoId=4585294 |
Ricky Timms, in one of the Quilt Show episodes said to make sure to lift the presser foot every 4 or 5 stitches and turn. Also...on my presser foot is a little arrow that marks the location of the needle when centered. I keep that right on the edge of the circle...that way the zig zag is centered half on and half off the edge of the circle. One of the main problems with small circles is that we tend to try to just sew around without lifting the presser foot at all...think of the circle as a continuous corner ...and you have to constantly turn that corner.
Originally Posted by DonnaFreak
(Post 4766403)
I'm making these little stuffed owls to give as gifts to the kids in my family. The pattern calls for you to set your machine to a short zig-zag stitch to go around the eyes, around the white of the eyes, and around the beak and wings. I can't get the !)@(#*$&%^ machine to go where I want it to go around those tight little circles for nothin'! :c(
Donna |
I can't think of anything to add except that when doing a circle that small, I just go slow and every couple stitches stop and re-align the fabric.
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I have a method using an embroidry hoop and the zipper foot. It works well but you are limited to the size of hoop you can get. 4" 6" etc. If you are interested in learning this method let me know and i will make up a tutorial.
Pat |
Originally Posted by DonnaFreak
(Post 4766522)
April, it's the Kooky Owl pattern from FaveCrafts. Here is the URL for it. :c)
http://www.favecrafts.com/Sewing-for...ky-Stuffed-Owl Donna |
You are a riot! I just love your little sentence at the bottom - "Some days it's just not worth it to chew through the leather straps" That will have me chuckling all day. I hope I can remember that saying if I am ever in the right situation to use it, cuz that's how I feel most of the time. By the way sometimes I have trouble with a straight line- not going to try any circles anytime soon!!!!!!
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Nancy Zieman just had a demo with one of those machine accessories I think you are referring to - can't think"exactly" what it is called - but I think you could adapt a method also if you are clever.
Marysewfun |
Originally Posted by one-and-only
(Post 4767009)
Seeing what you are making, I would be tempted to straight stitch about an 1/8 in from the edge of the fabric circles and let it ravel out on both circles for the eyes and the same for the nose. Would make it look like lashes.
There are attachments that you can purchase for your machine to sew circles. I have also seen where someone used a thumbtack through a piece of tape, then taped to the bed of the machine so it is set up so the center of the circle is positioned on the pointed part of the tack and taped to the machines so the needle goes through the fabric an 1/8 in from the edge or what ever seam allowance you want. Hope this makes sense. I must have been typing the same thing at the same time Tartan was. Marysewfun |
I lthink the eyes are just fine. looks adorable.........would have thought that was what you wanted if you had not told me different. Besides, it is the mistakes that make it personal. I leave an "oops" in everything I make. LOL....
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Originally Posted by RugosaB
(Post 4765831)
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Do you have an open toe foot (also called applique foot) for your machine? It is so much easier to see where you are heading and easier to adjust as you go there using that foot. I have a plastic one - what a difference.
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Maybe you need to do the stitch by hand.
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Originally Posted by LindaR
(Post 4768312)
we had a lesson in guild that really works for applique circles...cut a circle out of heat proof template plastic and then cut fabric at least 1/2" bigger all around. use HEAVY DUTY aluminum foil and put fabric and plastic circle in the middle and then bring foil up around circle and fabric tightly....works like a dream. set your iron on the whole thing for about 30 seconds and let cool...neatest circle you can make...will not work with thin foil as it doesn't hold up. plastic may wrinkle a little but still useable and you can trim all the way around after it is cool...try it
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Please do make up a tutorial! I'd love to see it! :c)
Donna
Originally Posted by Paattt
(Post 4771201)
I have a method using an embroidry hoop and the zipper foot. It works well but you are limited to the size of hoop you can get. 4" 6" etc. If you are interested in learning this method let me know and i will make up a tutorial.
Pat |
Personally, I would free motion stitch those circles and wouldn't worry about whether they were straight or not! The owls are adorable, by the way.
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