First I determine the size circle needed. I made the circle 7/16ths instead of the 1/2 inch. You can get these wonderful circle templates from any office supply store and come in LOTS of sizes.
I cut one circle out of heat resistant mylar template plastic. Use a small scissor to cut them out and make sure it's round. You can use a finger nail file to get the little pokies off but I don't bother, I fix that as I sew them down.
I then use the green circle template and draw the circles onto the back of the fabric, making sure I have plenty of space around each one.
I cut them apart and then fold over one edge to make sure that my seam allowance is no larger than half as wide as the circle.
Baste around the circle as close to the edge as you can without having the thread fraying the edge. Make sure the tails to the thread are on the right side of the circle.
Now place the mylar template in the center of the circle.
Hold the template with the point of your scissors or your finger tip and gently pull both of the gathering threads. You are not trying to close the circle completely at this point.
DO NOT pull the gathering threads in opposite directions. This will make your thread tear the edge of the circle.
Make single knot in the gathering threads
Now go ahead and tighten up the fabric around the template.
Spritz the back of the circle with water....yes water. No need for starch or sizing as a good cotton fabric has a wonderful memory.
Now iron it dry on both sides
Gently open up the circle by the single knot
Open it enough to slip the template out
Lay the circle back down and gently draw the circle closed again. Pat it with your finger to make it lie flat.
Give it another press
Tie a second knot in the gathering threads. This will make sure your circle holds it's shape. I like to make a whole bunch of circles at one time and then toss them into a baggie.
Trim off the gathering threads
A nice little circle
The act of pinning on the circle will make it a little wonky, but that is easily fixed when stitching. I remove the pin when I have at least a quarter of the circle stitched down.
I start with the roundest edge first. I also use my thumbnail to help locate any points, bumps or flat spots.
I sew one stitch at a time. After the stitch is made, I move the fabric to position for the next stitch. By doing this I can see what corrections are coming up. Uh Oh, a BIG bump is coming up!!
Just slip your needle under the circle and gently pull down so the edge is round. If you have a point showing on the edge it's because the fabric folded underneath. Just take your needle and redistribute the fabric to both the right and left. (Sorry no picture of a point....I didn't have any. THAT hardly ever happens LOL).
A nice little circle sewn down :0)
Next time I sew a larger circle down, I'll try to remember to do a tutorial on it.
Crispy
31 Comments:
Yep! That's pretty much how I do it!
Thank you for sharing:)
Some day I'm going to try needle turn applique. I like the look and now the circles won't scare me. Thanks for sharing.
We do it basically the same way - works great doesn't it!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Great tutorial, Crispy! Many thanks:)
How I do it as well, except I have the Perfect Circle templates in both small and large sizes.
You make it look so easy! Thanks for posting the tutorial with a ton a pics.
Just loved it...thanks!!
You did a great tutorial! This sure makes a much nicer circle than turning with needle. I do it this way too.
Thank you Crispy! It's an greate tutorial - you do explain it so it's easy to understand. Greate pictures, too...... You have done an good job on this.
This is just what I needed!! Thanks:) I pulled out my "old" propellor quilt and must applique a couple of small circles. I only have to go on a search for heat resistant plastic. You have so much supplies at hand where you live. I might use thin cardboard, it worked in the past. I'll let you know how I did and thanks again!
That is just so clever! Thanks for sharing.
I was taught that in a class by Mimi Dietrich but had forgotten some parts of how to do it...guess that means I don't practice enough,huh?? Thanks for a great tutorial!!! LOVE the little writing that said "Big bump" and had the arrow pointing to it...hehehe
Ooh, thanks for sharing. Your circles always look like you've gone the 'extra mile' - and now we can all see that you really DO.
Fantastic Crispy. Thanks so much for sharing. :o)
Wonderful tutorial. Sometimes I use a washer for the template - if it is the size I need - and Don has lots of washers. Just have to be careful not to burn my fingers - those metal washers can get sooo hot. I also use a round toothpick or bamboo skewer to push the bit of a bump down - I don't know why, but the wood works better than my needle.
I use the template - sometimes cardboard too - for the bigger circles also - like for the center of Dresden Plate - it works great. Your tutorial is wonderful - so helpful, because there are always questions about circles. One time I saw a quilt that had grapes on it - zillions of circles - and each one was almost perfect. What a lot of work - but a wonderful quilt.
Another great tutorial, Crispy :) I use this method, too, though I usually have mylar washers in the size I need.
Linda
Funny, I was just using my circle template on Saturday to make 35 circles for needleturn applique. Next time I will try your method. But, I am one of the weird ones that likes to needleturn circles!
Great tutorial! I've heard about people using mylar to do this, but hadn't seen it. For the little bit of applique I still do, if it involves circles I tend to use backbasting.
Great tutorial! I've heard about people using mylar to do this, but hadn't seen it. For the little bit of applique I still do, if it involves circles I tend to use backbasting.
Excellent photos and great tutorial on circles. I do them pretty much this way too and the mylar is nice and thin.
Excellent-excellent tutorial! Thank you! I'm going to post a link from my quilts page on my blog!
Hi - so funny, I have a tutorial on how I do circles in the queue, but your is much better. I do mine a little different as I use light card stock paper.
Crispy you wrote a wonderful tute! So clear and easy to understand with lots of great pictures. I do mine pretty much the same way, but your explanation is the best I've seen!
BTW, if no mylar is handy check with your local radiologist for Xrays. All their 'blurry' ones are just tossed... remember to rinse the silver off first. Most doctors will give these Xrays away for the asking after the patient info in the corner is cut off. Waste not want not, ya?!
Great tute... thank you!
Hugs,
/;-)
Thanks! I need this tutorial just now.
This was awesome! What kind of thread did you use? It looked kind of thick.
Yay! for perfect circles. Great close up photos for the tutorial!
Lovely, I could applique a circle like a pro now, using your instructions! ("could" being the operative word here ;)
Great tutorial!! I use this method also.
I love that mylar. Thank you for the great tutorial on circles.
Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing. I've been gun-shy about trying some tiny circle applique. Maybe your tutorial will make me brave enough to try! I'm usually a big chicken when I'm trying new stuff!
This is just what I needed, my circles aren't great...maybe now??
thanks!
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