I do no have a Computer on my longarm machine so if I want to make a consistent design then I need to use a template to stitch around. I wanted to stitch small circles on the inside of these appliques. My extended base on my machine is 15" x 18" so a lot larger than what I needed for a 2 1/2" template. So I made myself a small one out of the matt board you put behind tapestries before framing them. I then used Duct tape to stick it to my machine. Can peel it off and put it back on quickly and it doesn't hit the roller.
I then centre the template on the piece to be stitched. I start my stitching with the needle half way between 6 and 9 on a clock face.
I then hold the template with my left hand coming to the right of the needle. I am also holding onto my threads here so that they are tight.
I stitch in a clockwise direction keeping my fingers on the template. As you approach where you start stitching you need to move your hand around. Here is where my fingers end up as I finish stitching around the template.
The finished circle. Hope this visual helps the friend that needed to see it :)
Thank you! Visual explanation always makes the idea crystallise better. Going to give it a try this week.
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