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Circular Stitching Table Mat - Tips
This embellishment, using only a portion of a circle shape for each row of stitching, is quick to do because you simply sew on and off the fabric edges without having to join the beginning and ending of your circles.
Your PFAFF® admire™ air 7000 coverlock machine comes with an extension table that is specially designed to allow you to sew circular stitching - a technique that can be used in all sorts of projects. You can create interesting surface
embellishments by stitching concentric circles, intersecting circles, or even varying
sizes of circles.
These instructions begin with some tips for sewing partial circles, such as those shown in the table mat (above). Following this are tips for how to successfully sew full circles.
Table Mat Embellished with Rows of Wide Coverstitches
This embellishment, using only a portion of a circle shape for each row of stitching, is quick to do because you simply sew on and off the fabric edges without having to join the beginning and ending of your circles. The table mat shown has a finished size of 17” x 17”.
There is a possibility of 13 rows that can be stitched because your extension table has a series of 13 pinholes, spaced ½” (12.7cm) apart. These pinholes
accommodate the Pivot Pin, which can be found in your machine’s accessory box.
This table mat project features coverstitch rows sewn in each of the four corners. Stitching was done working in one corner at a time, with the largest partial circle sewn first, then stitching using every other pinhole (skipping a row in between each pinhole). The pinholes used for this project are #2, #4, #6, #8, #10, and #12, for a total of 6 coverstitch rows at each corner of the table mat.
Select “Coverstitch, Wide” which is Stitch #24 on your machine screen. Your PFAFF® admire™ air 7000 coverlock machine will set the optimum thread tension, stitch length, and differential feed for your selected stitch.
For stitches with a bold appearance on the fabric surface, use 12 weight cotton or topstitching thread in both needles - in place of regular overlock thread. When using thicker threads like these, be sure to use size 90/14 needles, which have a larger eye than the 80/12 needles, to accommodate the thread thickness. It is also recommended to increase stitch length.
To help the fabric feed smoothly as you stitch your circles, it is helpful to use a
lightweight tear-away stabilizer on the underside of the fabric. This will help
prevent distortion as your fabric rotates around the pivot point. If your fabric is
light to medium weight, you might also consider applying a lightweight interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric for added stability.
Mark the circle “centerpoint” of the partial circles on your fabric. Place the Pivot Pin into the marking, pushing it through the fabric and stabilizer layers. Put the end of the Pivot Pin into the desired pinhole on the extension table, then secure the Pivot Pin with its clasp, from the underside of the extension table.
To check your stitch after initial threading, it is helpful to leave the tails of the
needle threads fairly short - about 2” (5cm) long - so they can quickly pass through the needle holes of the presser foot before you start sewing your main fabric. Bring your main fabric in front of the presser foot and continue stitching.
Sew until you come to the end of the row of stitching, then sew off onto a scrap
fabric here as well. This is because the coverstitch does not “chain off” the same way that an overlock stitch does. By sewing off onto a scrap fabric, you’ll keep your stitching intact and won’t potentially need to rethread the machine before you start sewing the next row.
Continue with this process until all rows have been stitched in all four corners.
Remove any excess stabilizer.
Thread your PFAFF® sewing machine with construction thread and select a straight stitch. Pin the table mat backing fabric and embellished top fabric together, with right sides facing. Sew the four sides of the table mat, leaving an opening along one side seam for turning.
Clip the corners to reduce bulk. Turn the table mat right side out and press. Use a hand sewing needle to stitch the opening closed, or if desired, topstitch around the mat to finish.
Sewing a Full Circle with the Coverstitch
Here are some tips for successfully sewing coverstitches in full circles. You can use Double Coverstitches (Narrow or Wide), as well as the Triple Coverstitch. You can create interesting surface embellishment on a wide range of projects by stitching concentric circles, intersecting circles, or even varying sizes of
circles. The choice is yours!
When sewing stitches in a full circle, the goal is to have the beginning of the stitching and end of the stitching to meet, and for the “join” to be as tidy as possible. Here, the “Coverstitch, Triple” is selected, which is Stitch #23 on your machine screen.
When threading the machine, first thread the coverstitch looper. The thread tail
only needs to be about 4” (10cm) long. The needles are threaded starting with the left thread, then center, then right. For a smooth start, place each thread into its corresponding hole on the presser foot, so that all threads are under the presser foot before you begin stitching.
When threading the machine, first thread the coverstitch looper. The thread tail
only needs to be about 4” (10cm) long. The needles are threaded starting with the left thread, then center, then right. For a smooth start, place each thread into its] corresponding hole on the presser foot, so that all threads are under the presser foot before you begin stitching.
When you get most of the way around your circle, stop momentarily. Use a hand sewing needle and bring each needle thread to the back side of the fabric, tie off and trim the thread tails. Resume stitching. As you approach the beginning stitches, slow down and look through the holes in the presser foot to watch when the stitches you are currently sewing meet with the beginning stitches. Stop, with the needles down in the fabric.
Raise the presser foot lifter, which will release the needle thread tensions. Use
your tweezer to reach behind the needle threads and pull them forward and trim. Remove the fabric from the machine, bring the needle threads to the back side of the fabric. Tie off and trim the tail ends.
For a printable pdf copy of this project, click the button below.