Round & Round We Go Update

I should note, I could do that with my Janome because I have a 9mm stitch width and the folded strip and batting fit perfectly under that wider foot.

• Buy the Pattern. It’s the right thing to do. CLICK HERE
• Use Wonder Clips – they rule!
• Lower the presser foot pressure if possible. That will help you when dealing with a lot of rug and the curves.
• Use a Jeans Needle – seriously.
• Pick a good thread. That is all that will be holding this together. I used Intressa Thread from A&E. It’s made in the USA and is a polyester core-spun sewing thread that offers superior strength. You can however use a thicker quilting thread if desired.
• Set your Zig Zag stitch width and length. I set mine to a width of 4.5-5mm and a length of 1.5mm. If you’re zig zag stitch is bunching up – try setting to a 2.0 mm length.
• Keeps your eyes in the right place. (see image below)
• Make sure that you are sewing the strips together correctly. With exception of the first round, the sewn edge will be facing left – and will be sewn to the folded edge of the previous strip. (see image below) Keep the new coil being added to the inside of your machine bed so that your rug “grows” to the outside (left side) of your machine bed.

• Find your speed and set your speed slider/control on your machine – this is especially important on the curves. Slow and steady wins the race.
• Trim threads as you go along. Trust me – they show.
• Keep a stitch ripper handy and use it if needed to keep the zig zag stitching looking good and even.
• Use the Lock stitch option on your machine to secure the start and stop points in the seams. (If you don’t have one, use the reverse at the start and stop points.
• STEAM press from the center out after every 4-6 rows. If you don’t have a good steam iron, get a mister bottle and spritz the rug and then press.
• Starting the inner curves means you need to “ease” the strip into place. The first 2 to 3 corves are the hardest.
• Once you get base the first 3-4 rounds, you need to stop “easing”. This isn’t like easing shoulder seams – This is more like dealing with the center of an embroidered letter “o”. Too much fabric and batting sew into the inner portion of the curve will cause waving.
• Don’t sew batting together – just butt it up against the last strip (if needed) otherwise you get a bump.

Using the right sewing techniques will make sewing a lot easier. When you are sewing keep your “eyes on the prize” so to speak – the area right before the needle sews that seam together.

If you are watching the needle you can’t adjust to curves, you will probably miss the seam multiple times -and it will be frustrating.  If you keep your eye on the place right before the needle or before the presser foot, you will be able to control the placement of the fabric and seam better.

Go slow and enjoy the process.

You can also use material you have on hand – I have plenty of quilting cotton and I have been debating about cutting it up into strips along the bias. I wonder if the curves would be easier.