Hold the fabric tight as you trace to keep it from bunching up and ruining your line.
When you cut the thread, remember to leave a little extra—you’ll be tying the other end around your pencil so you can draw your circle. If you need an exact size, measure it out with your measuring tape and mark the thread with a pen or fabric marker so you’ll know exactly how long it needs to be.
You might want to have someone help you by holding the fabric taut as you draw the circle. If you’re drawing by moving the pencil, it might help to have someone hold the fabric taut or tape the fabric down so that it doesn’t move.
If you want to use the thumbtack as a guide, measure the radius of your circle, then tape down your thumbtack exactly that distance away from the needle of your sewing machine. Pierce your fabric in the same spot you did when you drew the circle and as you sew, the thumbtack will hold your fabric in place. [6] X Research source This also works for hand-sewing or embroidery—just stitch slowly and follow the circular line that you drew on the fabric and your circle will turn out perfect.
If you’re sewing a really small circle, just use 1 or 2 fingers from each hand to guide the fabric. With the thumbtack in place, you don’t have to worry about turning the fabric—it will automatically rotate around the tack. [8] X Research source
Use the pins to keep the circles from shifting off of each other as you’re sewing. Make sure the sides of the fabric that you want to show are on the inside, touching each other. After you sew the seam, you can turn it inside out so the raw edges and stitches don’t show.
If you find it difficult to follow your seam allowance, try marking it with a pencil. You can also use a whipstitch as a guide to keep your seam straight all the way around the circle. [11] X Expert Source Alessio IadiciccoApparel Manufacturing Specialist Expert Interview. 20 May 2021.
If the seam is getting away from you, stop the machine and lift the foot to adjust the fabric and correct the curve. Feel free to take out the pins as you sew around the circle—the stitches will hold them in place.
The size of the notches depends on the overall size of your circle. Generally, they just make it easier for you to trim the excess fabric from the seam allowance.
If you want to make a pillow, fill the fabric circle with foam or polyester, then close the gap.
Sew slowly, turning the fabric a little each time the needle lifts to follow the curve. Leave a seam allowance of about 1⁄8 inch (0. 32 cm) from the edge.
Use the first line of basting stitches that you made as a guide for turning the fabric as you feed it into your sewing machine.
If the fabric tends to bunch up more in one area, just distribute the bunches with your fingers so it looks more even.
While you can use any stitch you like for the hem, the zigzag stitch prevents the fabric from fraying. Since your basting stitches aren’t visible when the fabric is right-side out, there’s no need to remove them.
