Sewn Concentric Circle Tutorial

As you probably saw in my last post I made a bunch of super neat quilted flags.  Some of said flags were made with sewn concentric circles.  Sewing perfect circles can be tricky especially is you have no idea where to start.  Look no further for I am going to give you a tutorial for making these layered sewn circles!

The best part about making these circles is that you can layer up as many as you want with whatever fabric you want making them easily customizable!

Start with your base fabric which will be the outermost circle.  You can use an already finished garment to repurpose or a new piece of fabric, the possibilities are endless!!

Cut a smaller piece of fabric in the same color big enough to fit whatever size circle you want to make with about an inch and a half on the edges.  Fold the fabric in half side to side (press the folded center with your finger & unfold) and then top to bottom (repeat) This will give you the exact center of your cut piece.

Draw a circle using a compass for that perfect circle (you have the center so you know exactly where to place your compass point).  Remember: the closest to perfect you draw the circle will make it that much easier to achieve a finished perfect circle.  I like to serge along the edge of the circle to make sure it won't fray during construction or in the future.

Place the cut and serged circle on top of your original fabric.  You can do the fold trick on the original fabric to make sure you place it exactly in the center.  Head over to your sewing machine and sew right along the circle line all the way around.

When you're done cut out the middle of the circle 1/4" from the sewn edge using a rotary blade or a scissors.

Using a sharp pair of scissors (all of your scissors should be sharp you crafty sewer!) cut slits all the way around the 1/4" edge to minimize pulling when you rotate the circle (you'll see).  The closer to the seam the better, but make sure not to cut your perfectly sewn seam!

Now the fun part! Turn the sewn circle underneath the original fabric to create that finished circle seam.  Try to get it as close to the sewn edge as possible and press.

Look at you sewing awesome circles!  That wasn't so bad was it?

If you're doing more than one circle, repeat the process you just did in another color (I did yellow).  Set aside your first sewn circle and cut out the same 2 pieces again.  Make sure your new original piece (yellow) is big enough with extra room to sit underneath your first circle (red).

Draw your circle on your smaller cut piece (yellow) any diameter smaller than the circle you drew on the first circle (red) and serge the edge.

Place the circle in the center of the larger piece and sew around the circle edge.  Cut the inside of the circle out and snip the seam allowance and then turn and press the circle.  (I know you didn't have to read the directions again because you just did this!)

Now you have your big circle and your little circle!  Cut a smaller piece of fabric to fit inside your smaller circle, don't forget to leave extra room!

Place the fabric piece inside the small circle and top stitch on the edge all the way around.

Then place your larger circle on top of your finished smaller circle and top stitch again.  Make sure it's exactly in the center or the circles will look wonky.

You're done!! Finish the edges of the sewn piece however you like and stand back to marvel at your hard work completed!  Now... make another!!

Did I miss something?  Ask your question in the comments below!  Thanks!