Sew circles around past methods of making circular shapes in this week’s Sewing With Nancy online video feature, Circles Sew Simple. Stitching perfectly symmetrical circles is extremely simple. Watching online will give you all the tips you need!
To inspire you to add circle motifs to home décor or quilting projects is Donna Fenske, Sewing With Nancy designer. Donna is a “sewing in circles” expert and joins me on TV, for Circles Sew Simple.
This 13″ x 35″ table runner features the basics of circle stitching. Satin stitched and appliquéd circle accents are the ideal point to begin. What a great project to practice and perfect your perfect circles. All the instructions and the tool are included in the Circles Sew Simple book and tool set.
Supplies List
1/2 yd. light blue cotton quilting background fabric
1/4 yd. purple cotton quilting fabric for large circles
1/8 yd. medium-blue cotton quilting fabric for medium circles
1/8 yd. dark-blue cotton quilting fabric for small circles
3/4 yd. green cotton quilting fabric for half-circles border
1/2 yd. flannel backing
3/8 yd. Fusible Easy Knit Interfacing
Prep the fabrics as detailed in the Circles Sew Simple book. The book’s included with the tool!
Here’s the Circles Sew Simple Tool!
The Circles Sew Simple Tool easily attaches to your machine with double-sided tape—included with the tool!
- Stitch perfectly symmetrical circles with this unique tool.
- Create straight stitched, satin stitched, or appliquéd circles in 26 sizes: circles range in diameter from 2″–27″.
- The tool includes the Circle Gauge Base, Cross Bar Attachment, Tack and Guard in two sizes, double-sided tape, and Circles Sew Simple book with step-by-step instructions for attaching and using the tool, plus 6 projects.
- Back fabrics with interfacing and mark center circle placement on the wrong side of the fabric.
- Position table runner background fabric over Tack point at center circle marking.
- Position appliqué fabric over Tack point. Cover Tack with Guard.
- Thread machine with rayon thread and set machine for a straight stitch; stitch circle.
- Trim close to stitching line.
- Change machine settings for a satin stitch. Stitch with the satin stitch to cover the straight stitching.
- Stitch open circles using the same method—just leave out the appliqué fabric.
- Repeat the process until you’ve created all the circles you desire.
- Learn how to create the half-circles for the border and finish the table runner following the instructions included in the Circles Sew Simple book.
Also in this week’s Sewing With Nancy online video feature, Circles Sew Simple, you’ll learn how to make the Crazy for Circles Quilt. Incorporate appliquéd circles and a quilt-as-you-go technique to make super-sized blocks for a bed quilt. Designed by Donna, this queen-sized quilt features 13 fabric coordinates and gives you permission to go crazy for circles!
Quilt a Scrappy Orange Peel vintage-inspired pattern with an updated twist. What’s different? Circles are stitched to perfection with the Circles Sew Simple Tool. We’ll show you how to create a circle envelope that uniquely transforms into a reversible quilt.
For a chance to win a Circles Sew Simple book and tool set, leave a comment below about your next circle project.
The random winner of a copy of Sew Knits with Confidence is Berenice. She shared: My biggest knit issue is definitely hems that do not ruffle or roll. Seams go together fine, but hems drive me crazy!
Watch Sewing With Nancy online
There are 52 programs to watch online, or on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone. Have you downloaded the app?
Bye for now,
Scrappy Orange Peel Quilt
Nancy,
I love the Circle and Orange Peel show. However, I do need to get the tool to make accurate circles. This quilt is a MUST MAKE. The quilting as you go seems quick and easy.
Thank You for sharing your time and talent in sewing.
I have tried and failed with circles in the past, but as a mathematician, love the geometric look. Now that I know this tool exists, I am thinking my next project has to be a wall hanging that maybe mimics the geometric constructions we used to do in school (yes, I am that nerdy).
My BFF purchased this tool so cool. Can’t wait to get the circle tool for myself. Thanks for the great ideas
I love this circles project. I am thinking about making a quilt for my granddaughter’s first baby, sometime in the future. She is not even married yet, but I am 90-years-old and may not live to see it, but she will have something to remember me by. This circles motif would seem to be a great “either gender” quilt using lots of color. Thanks for always being an inspiration.
can’ wait to try this…………imagine this on the side of a tote bag–and it might be a great way to use some of those smaller pieces of fabric in the “collection”
My daughter surprised me with this. It’s so much fun, and so EASY. I was at the Beaver Dam retail store yesterday, and they have a quilt that was made with “Circles Sew Simple” It was great. Ladies, don’t be afraid of this, it’s very simple to use. Enjoy!
2/12/13 – I’ve ordered book and DVD. Can’t wait for pkg to arrive! Great video.
Circles are great! How wonderful that they can be so easy too. Keep the ideas coming!
Thanks Nancy I learned a lot from you Thank you want to start a draft new owned store Tailoring and I want to work in embroidery something new I want to question how I can carry a new design of my design or painting Costumes we have in Saudi Arabia and I carry on Alalared assistance should Tamly me design and buy it and carry Aaljhaz I will send youimages and graphics, Thanks
I watched this show 2/9/2012 on Pioneer Public TV and was amazed at how easy you have made circle stitching…THANKS!
The Circle Sew Simple Tool looks like a fun thing to use! I would love to see what other ideas are in the book! Watching the video has already gotten me excited about trying something new. I plan to start out small and make a table runner.
Wow! I love circles but usually shy away from them. The ideas to using circles sew simple tool are endless. I really, really like the scrappy orange peel quilt . . . especially that it is reversable. Thank you for the opportunity to win this great tool.
Id really love this tool to make some quilts with circles. Most of the quilts I make are for kids here in our community through a church here in Lakeland, Fl.,so I think they would really enjoy this.
Love this tool. Just spent quite a bit of time making templates for circles of different sizes for another project I hope to do. I have an old (over 30 yrs), but very good Elna sewing machine. I am not sure how the tool really works, does the machine have to be computerized in order for it to “automatically” sew in a circle?
I have a quilt pattern that I have been putting off due to not sure how to quilt around them. Now, once I order this, my problem will be solved!
I would love to make the orange peel quilt. The circle tool looks very easy to use.
OMG that quilt brings back memories, growing up I had a set of sheets that had very similar circles on them. I just love them for several reasons first they were bright and wild (70′s), they were picked out by me, they were the first percale sheets, no little fuzz balls and I finally got to have a full size bed no more twin size! Ahh, the memories…
The orange peel quilt has made its way to my “Must Do” List. It’s always fun to try something new.
I’d love to try this – I find circles quite intimidating but I’d love to start small with the tablerunner.
I would love to have this book and tool to use for my Asian Circle quilt. I would make it easy to make my innovative circles. I also like the orange peel quilt. Thanks for sharing and hosting this giveaway, I hope I win.
Outstanding looking! Also liked the other quilt on the video that was made from 4 blocks, made into a circle. Then sewn to another , flipping over the edges to the other side. Looks like just squares on one side and partial circles on the other. How clever. I just love it when a quilt is reversable. The orange peel quilt would not open for me. Sigh , old computer.
The circle tool sure would be a great tool to have in the sewing room that is for sure!! I would love to make this quilt. It will be on my to do list!! he he
The quilt is beautiful! I love the circles!
Interesting way to make circles. That would be quite a neat tool.
The girls love polka dotties right now! The youngest is looking for fabric for a snuggle quilt and she wanted me to make numerous circles on it… How cool would be that tool to help! HHmmmm…. circles around the hem of a summer dress…. Would like to try that orange peel quilt some day too!
I like to do something different each time I sit at my sewing machine. Circles are different I would like to give it a try,I think a table runner is what I would start with.
I have some home decor items I wanted to have circles on but have not made them due to circles needing to be perfect. Thanks for showing me that they can be! I would love to have this tool…so many possibilities!
I saw a quilt made up of circles – very colorful – and I loved it. It’s been on my to-do list for awhile now, maybe soon!
I’d love to try circle quilt for my daughter who wants one.
My next project involves snowflakes and circles. Would love to win.
I would love to win this for my friend, the Notions Queen! ( She adores curves and circles.)
This circle tool looks easy…kind of when I was learning to ride a bike without holding the handles and I’d say, “Look Mom, no hands!”
Thanks for the opportunity to win a book and tool set!
Looks like yet another “must have” tool for the sewing room! I am all ready envisioning so many uses and fun projects I could create for my grandsons! Circles can be so much fun! Thanks Nancy for all the opportunities you present to your faithful fans, which I have been for over 30 years!!
I’d like to try this tool on a smaller project first — possibly a table runner. Looks like a really neat tool!
I would love to use this on my granddaugthers projects.
they love circles
I would like to try this table runner. It looks like a good way to try out the new tool and have something pretty when I’m done.
The circle tool looks like so much fun and very functional. There are times that I would like to have a large perfect circle and this looks so easy. I could use it to create ruffles for my granddaughters clothes and even though I haven’t made quilts before the orange peel one looks like so much fun to do.
looks interesting, especially the orange peel quilt
looks great for Christmas napkins to fold like a Christmas tree.
Thanks for all the inspiration.
Sandy
I will be making a duvet cover for my granddaughter and the circle motifs will compliment her curtains which are bright pink with bright pink embroidered circles. This would be a great way to introduce other colors into the decor!
This looks like the PERFECT way to construct the Christmas napkins that fold like a Christmas tree. I’ve been MENTALLY making those for YEARS!!
I ALWAYS take knowledge away from your programs and blogs.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Sandy
This video and tool kit will come in so handy to finish the curtain panels I promised to make for my grandaughters bedroom….she requested embroidered circle designs to match the designs in her bed covers…now I know a quick and easy but professional looking way to finish the project. Thank you.
WOW! You make this look so easy. I want to try this when I finish my Tree of Life Quilt. I will bookmark this page. Thanks
I would love to try this method, which I have not been brave enough to try so far.
thanks ….always looking for something new and fun to do …. think I would try pillows and/or a runner! Can’t wait to tackle this project!
Love these circles – I’d love to try them as applique/embroidery on a dress for my 2 year old daughter!
all ready have mine , I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but want be long. good luck every one and enjoy I know I will mine
This is clever! It’s inspired me to make a tablerunner for my next circle project.
looks like a great tool Question : will it work OK on machine that is not in a bed. IE; on a table?
I enjoy your programs and everything I have ordered from you
I am trying to make a baby circle quilt as we speak….freehand…I have tried every stabilizer I have…that is why I am currently looking for help on your website and found this little gem!
I have wanted to try sewing circles forever. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love your blog Nancy. I have 4 quilt patterns that I could use this with. I have a lot of ideas I could use this with. Thanks for the chance.
So great your tool is – love your video
I would try making a sircel piece on a rusty wall hanging – that would be cool.
Have a great and kreative day.
Quilthug
I guess I would like to start out making a runner… Then would love to do a quilt this way….
I love circles. I just knitted a polka dot cowl. I would love to make a quilt covered in circles. Thanks.
Oh, I REALLY like that Scrappy Orange Peel quilt! Looks like something I could have loads of fun with.
I would like to use this method to make pillows!
I plan to try making an Art quilt. I can already see using circles in the design.
I don’t have a project using circles, but I sure will if I win the Circles Sew Simple tool! Love your blog and tv show.
Looks very helpful, I think it would look great on a tote bag too.
Thanks
I love learning new tricks to sew neater! Do you draw a circle to follow with the straight stitch? I would have to to get it truly even.
I want to sew circles on a jacket I have been planning
I can just envision doing this to a purse or tote, circle shapes used in the corners, as a flap and as accents.
This would be totally different to try. Love the Runner. A good way to keep me from running in circles
That looks so easy! I’ve never been able to sew circles (they turn out wonky)! I saw a circle quilt in a recent Quilts & More magazine…would love to use the tool to make the quilt!
I have always wanted to try circles but have been afraid they would turn out all Wonky…and I would have to saw that was a new ‘design’ element. LOL. My Grand daughter wants a circle quilt and this might help me be brave enough to try it!!!
I keep meaning to try this… maybe now is the time!
This would be perfect for a project I have – I finished a quilt top that has polka dot fabric, as well as fabric with flowers, and I’ve been thinking of a way to incorporate the circles and/or flower shapes in each of the 10-inch white blocks of the quilt, but I’ve never tried circles before. I’m using white flannel as the backing. Thanks for the chance to win
I’ve just learned I’m going to be a first time Grandma in August. I think the circles would make a great quilt for this new baby. It could be made to suit any theme.
Thanks for another great idea!!!
I love the idea of sewing circles. I have never tried it. It looks so easy.
I make art quilts and love to do undersea adventures with fabrics. This would make awesome bubbles! Both appliqué and just circles without fabric! Love your ideas, Nancy!
I love the orange peel quilt. Donna you are very clever! I can’t wait to start that project.