Conquer Your Fear

Why do we seem to shy away from circles? Are sewing curves really that difficult or is it all in our heads? I admit, I've avoided circles. I think it reminded me of those days as a kid trying to learn to put in a sleeve, until one day I put my mind to making pieced circles and low and behold, I found it wasn't impossible, in fact, it wasn't that hard at all.

I've tried all kinds of methods to make circles and they all seem so complicated. And then there is the glue, starch, freezer paper or fusible web. None of those methods have worked for me. I don't enjoy hand sewing so applique really isn't my thing and I don't really like the look of machine appliqued circles. So what's a girl who loves circles to do? Piece circles the old fashioned way. All it takes is a couple of pieces of fabric, a few pins, a little patience, some practice and a big dose of determination. I'll bet you can do it too.

Here's how it works for me. For the quilt I'm working on now I'm using half circles to make a circle in a square block. If you're doing circles for the first time, I'd recommend you work big. Start with a large template and when you get some practice move to making smaller circles. The template I'm using makes a 14" block. I made my own templates.

Getting Started:

*Find a template for a circle block. Lots of books have quilts that require pieced circles.

*Get some delicate pins, small and short. I have special small pins that I use for piecing circles. The long pins I use for quilting don't work well when piecing circles.

*Choose your fabric and use your templates to cut your pieces.

Repeat this to yourself:

I'm working with a curve, don't try to make it straight!

This should be your mantra for working with curves. Folks have trouble with curves when they try to treat them like they do straight lines. Let your fabric curve.

Here are my pieces cut and ready to go.

To help me pin my pieces accurately I fold my pieces into fourths and press in those lines to use as registration marks.
The folds on each piece will be matched up to help you pin the two pieces together.
Start by placing the half circle right side down lining up the center fold and the edge. Put in a pin at the center fold. After you have all your other pins in, make sure to change this pin to the other side when you're ready to sew.
Pin the edge of the half circle to the edge of the square as shown below. Place your pins on the solid fabric side. You're going to be working from that side from now on.
Now pin at the other folds matching up the folds and the edges. One hint about pinning. Pin close to the edge of the fabric. This will allow the fabric to give.
Now it's time to pin the areas between the folds. Allow the fabric to form a curve as you pin. The two pieces will nest together, sort of like the curve of an amphitheater. I pin about every inch or so.
Don't worry if you have a little extra fabric. You can ease it in as you sew. Don't panic now! Here it is all pinned and ready to sew.
I use a 1/4" foot and the dual feed on my machine. It helps move the fabric evenly as I sew. Sort of a walking foot, light. My walking foot is too bulky for this, but you might want to give yours a try. Drop your presser foot, take a couple of stitches, backstitch and take out your first pin. Sew slowly from pin to pin. Stop with your needle down in front of each pin. Don't sew over your pins. It's bad for you and for your machine. Notice how I'm not trying to make the fabric go straight. The only part of the fabric that needs to be straight is what's under the presser foot and about a 1/4 inch in front of the presser foot.
How you use your hands will help you sew this curve effectively. Use your right hand to keep some tension on the fabric. Don't pull or jerk, just gentle tension will help keep the fabric flat in front of the presser foot and will help you ease in extra fabric if you need to. Use your left hand to adjust the fabric. When you've stopped with your needle down, use your left hand to pull the top fabric back and to the left. You'll find the rhythm of sew, stop, remove pin, adjust...sew, stop, remove pin, adjust.
Notice in the picture below how I'm allowing the fabric to curve. I'm stopped ready to take out my pin. Then I'll use my left hand to pull the top fabric back and to the left. That will make those folds you see almost disappear. Remember, the only area that needs to be flat, without puckers is right under the needle. If there's a pucker above the quarter inch mark it won't matter a bit. It won't be a pucker in your seam. Continue sewing from pin to pin until you reach the end. Slow and steady wins this race!
When you're done, press. Make sure you press your seam toward the square. If you have any little puckers, use that steam and maybe some Best Press to make them disappear.

Sometimes the bottom of my circle gets a little wonky. Line up the bottom of your circle and trim. I make the square part of my template just a tish bigger than I need it to be so I can trim worry free.
Here are two half circles joined together, ready to be part of my quilt.

Do you make pieced circles? What works for you?