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Completing the circle smoothly (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 7/1/21 2:49 PM ET
I’m trying to practice making circles with the circle attachment on my Bernina machine. I can’t seem to complete the circle. I either under shoot or over shoot and start going into where the circle started. Please any tips on how to end the circle smoothly and meet the beginning stitch without stitching into it or missing it completely. Thank you!
Posted on: 7/1/21 9:46 PM ET
In reply to sewington
Which Bernina model and circular attachment do you have ?
I have a vintage Bernina circular attachment, it came with my Bernina 730 Record sewing machine.
I have a vintage Bernina circular attachment, it came with my Bernina 730 Record sewing machine.
Posted on: 7/2/21 9:39 AM ET
It is the nature of the circular sewing attachment, for any brand, to have some amount of overlap or space between the beginning and ending stitches.
To try and get very close, you can measure the circumference of your circle, then adjust the stitch length of the stitch you are using to create a number of whole stitch motifs to fit the circumference. E.g., your circumference is 10 mm, and the stitch motif is .75mm, lengthen the stitch to 1mm and you should be able to stitch 10 of them and get fairly close.
Conversely, you can adjust the circumference of your circle to match your motif length, or, choose a motif whose length divides evenly into the size circle you want.
Please keep in mind, none of these methods would be fool-proof – you are stitching on fabric, and it can move, stretch or bunch, even when well stabilized. Stitching in a circle will only exacerbate these tendencies of fabric. Additionally, where you measure the motif – top, middle bottom – will also affect how they fit into a circle of a certain length, especially if it’s a very large or wide motif.
The best way to get “perfect” circles, if available to you, is to use or create an embroidery design and have the embroidery machine do the work. Which to me is not nearly as fun as using my circular attachment!
So, either lots of math and acceptance that it may still not be perfect, or accept that there will be a tiny bit of overlap. In any of my projects, I’ve never really noticed the overlap, and no one looking at my work has ever noticed either.
Quick tip: my Baby Lock circular sewing attachment comes with a sort-of demi-compass to help with measuring circles and stitches; does your Bernina also have this? (It’s item 4, page two of the linked manual.)
To try and get very close, you can measure the circumference of your circle, then adjust the stitch length of the stitch you are using to create a number of whole stitch motifs to fit the circumference. E.g., your circumference is 10 mm, and the stitch motif is .75mm, lengthen the stitch to 1mm and you should be able to stitch 10 of them and get fairly close.
Conversely, you can adjust the circumference of your circle to match your motif length, or, choose a motif whose length divides evenly into the size circle you want.
Please keep in mind, none of these methods would be fool-proof – you are stitching on fabric, and it can move, stretch or bunch, even when well stabilized. Stitching in a circle will only exacerbate these tendencies of fabric. Additionally, where you measure the motif – top, middle bottom – will also affect how they fit into a circle of a certain length, especially if it’s a very large or wide motif.
The best way to get “perfect” circles, if available to you, is to use or create an embroidery design and have the embroidery machine do the work. Which to me is not nearly as fun as using my circular attachment!
So, either lots of math and acceptance that it may still not be perfect, or accept that there will be a tiny bit of overlap. In any of my projects, I’ve never really noticed the overlap, and no one looking at my work has ever noticed either.
Quick tip: my Baby Lock circular sewing attachment comes with a sort-of demi-compass to help with measuring circles and stitches; does your Bernina also have this? (It’s item 4, page two of the linked manual.)
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