I find a shallow, round object that is about 1⁄2 inch smaller in diameter than the circle I want to sew. Depending on size, the top of a vitamin bottle often fits the bill, as do flat-topped lids or mint tins. I cut a circular piece of fine sandpaper to fit the tin and attach it with double-sided tape.

I then position my fabric with the needle on the circumference where I want to start sewing. I lower the presser foot, hold the tin (sandpaper-side down) against the outer edge of my presser foot, and start sewing. The tin acts as a template, the sandpaper holds the tin to my fabric and causes it to rotate as I sew a very nice circle. I sew slowly and stop with the needle down and lift the presser foot to ease the fabric if it begins to pucker. I’ve even achieved excellent results using a decorative stitch.

-Judith Long, Cranberry Township, Pa.

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