How to Easily Sew Perfect Circles

Circles are an incredibly popular stitching motif. Chances are you have traced a plate or glass to create a circle stitching line on one of your projects. I have a better way to sew perfect circles, each time! Create appliqué shapes or open circle designs easily with Circles Sew Simple and watch the demonstration on Sewing With Nancy.

Donna Fenske, Sewing With Nancy designer joins me on TV, for the Circles Sew Simple episode.

Appliquéd Circles

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

Circles Sew Simple Tool

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 the 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.

Watch Circles Sew Simple  on Sewing With Nancy online.

To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.

For a chance to win a Circles Sew Simple book and tool set, leave a comment below about your next circle project. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Aug 6.

The random winner of a Sew Knits with Confidence book is Mary Wippold. She said: Like someone else here, I also have a hard time finding knits in prints suitable for an adult. There are lots of cute kids knits prints but not so many for adults.

Bye for now,

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