There are a few ways to finish a circle weaving – that is, if you want to cover up the back in the first place. Quite honestly, you really don’t need to. BUT, if you prefer to hide all those yarn ends – or cover up the mess! – you can give your piece a cleaner finish. Today, I’m sharing just one way to finish the back of a circle weaving using fabric. This method works well for circular weavings where the hoop frame has already been covered with fabric, macrame cord, or another material on which to attach the backing. If you’ve got a piece that you’d like to finish this way, then you’ve arrived at right place – let’s get into it!

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MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

• Thick felt, canvas or laminated canvas
• Curved Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Pen or marker
• Spare embroidery hoop
• Clips to hold the backing in place
• Optional: Silicone thimbles to help grip the curved needle

*For this tutorial:

• I’m using this laminated canvas from Michaels (craft store) because it’s thick, stiff and holds its shape well. IMPORTANT TIP: Check in person if you can! Some laminated fabrics have a layer of lamination left on one side. Make sure both sides still feel textured so the needle can pass through easily.
• For my own circular weavings, I wrap macrame cord around the embroidery hoop (which consists of 2 hoops tightened together to create a single frame). You can find the tutorial for this method of framing a circle weaving here: How to Warp and Wrap a Hoop for Weaving

 

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STEPS

👉To watch the video tutorial, click the video below.

👉To review the step-by-step photo tutorial, scroll past the video below.

 

VIDEO TUTORIAL

 

 

PHOTO TUTORIAL

Step 1: Trace and Cut Your Backing

Using a spare embroidery hoop the same size as the one used for your finished weaving, separate the outer and inner hoops.

Place the inner hoop on the canvas backing and trace around the outer edge.

Cut out the circle.  

Below: After cutting out the circle, I also added my label to the back since this weaving will be sold in my Etsy shop.

 

Step 2: Secure the Backing

Centre the backing on the back side of the weaving.

Attach it using strong craft or kitchen clips. This will keep the backing centred as you stitch around it.

Thread your curved needle.

Tie a double knot at the tail end.

 

Step 3: Attach Backing Using a Blanket Stitch

Attach thread to Macrame Cord

Lift the edge of your backing and guide your needle under a few threads of the macrame.

Push the needle through the macrame and back up. Continue pulling on the thread until the double knot catches the macrame cord.

Tuck the loose tail under the backing and place the cover back over the hoop. This will hide the double knot.

Make Your First Stitch

If using silicone thimbles, place them on your thumb and forefinger – this will help grip your curved needle (which can be a bit finicky!).

To make your first blanket stitch, move the tip of the needle slightly to the right and down the backing – approx 0.5cm to the right and 0.5 cm down.

Push the needle through the backing and catch a few threads of cord, just beyond the fabric edge.

Pull the needle through.

As you pull up, a loop will start to form and close around the thread (see below).

Continue pulling up until the thread has been tightened, forming your first stitch. 

Your first stitch should have a squared-off edge forming a number “7”.

Forming Your Next Stitch

Repeat the same steps for your next stitch.

While holding the thread taut with one hand, move the tip of the needle to the right and down with the other hand.

Push the needle through the backing, making sure to catch a few threads of macrame cord.

Continue pulling the needle up until the thread catches and forms your next stitch.

As before, you should have a second number “7” – the second stich.

Continue Stitching Around the Hoop

Repeat the same method, spacing your stitches approximately the same width (in this case, approx. 0.5cm apart).

 

Step 3: When Your Thread Runs Short

When your thread is running short, pass the needle underneath the corner of the last stitch, catching a few threads of the cord, and bring it back up on the other side.

Pull the needle and thread all the way through and up, securing the corner of that stitch to the frame.

Next, you’ll need to knot the thread to secure it. Pass the needle underneath the open stitch.

Then, pass the needle through the small loop being formed, pull and tighten to form a knot. 

Repeat and tie a second knot directly onto that same stitch.

To hide the excess thread, pass the needle underneath the backing.

Make sure not to catch any yarn from the weaving itself. Go down a couple of inches and push the needle back up through the backing.

Trim the thread close to the surface.

This hides the end of the thread below the surface of the backing.

 

Step 4: Start a New Stitch and Continue

Thread a new length of thread and tie a double knot, as before.

Near the corner of your last stitch, guide the needle under a few threads of the macrame cord. 

Pull until the double knot catches.

Tuck the tail under the backing and prepare to make your next stitch.

Begin your next stitch close to where the previous section ended to avoid leaving a gap.

Continue stitching around the circle, securing and replacing your thread as needed, until you reach the end.

 

Step 5: Finish the Last Stitch

Once you’ve stitched all the way around, create and secure the final stitch using the same method described in Step 3.

First, pass the needle through the backing and macrame cord, in the same hole (or near) of the starting stitch.

Pull up, as before, to complete your final stitch.

Next, pass the needle underneath the corner of the last stitch, and out the other side. This will ensure your final stitch is squared off.

Pull the needle and thread through and up, tightening to secure the corner of the stitch.

To secure your thread, you’ll need to knot it to the open stitch. Guide the tip under the last stitch, as before.

Pull through to form a loop. Then, guide the needle through the loop.

Pull and tighten to form a knot.

Repeat for a second knot to secure it.

Finally, hide the excess thread underneath the backing and trim close to the surface, as before.

 

Final Piece

And that’s it! You now have a neatly finished backing that hides the back of your circle weaving.

This is just one way to finish a circular weaving, but it’s a simple option if you’d like a cleaner look and have a covered frame that you can stitch into.

Happy weaving 🙂