Cardboard Creations - Perfect Circles

HOW-TO Cut a Perfect Circle Out of Cardboard

The simple answer is to trace something that is a circle; a cup, a plate, a pot, etc.  But what if you don't have something the right size to give you the circle you need?

Here is a simple tip I have used without fail many times over.

 

Tools

TOOLS:

Pencil

Measuring tape (flexible/fabric - not metal)
       - with an eyelet at the end
         (see the Tools picture)

Straight pin
Utility knife (not shown)

Cardboard :)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Determine the radius of your circle. (The radius = 1/2 the diameter.  The diameter is the measurement from one side of your circle to the other - see figures 1&1.1.)  For example: If you want a circle that is 6" across, the radius would be 3".

For this How-To I will use a 15" diameter (circle measures 15 inches across), so the radius will be 7 1/2". (see Figures 1&2)

Figure 1

Figure 1.1

2. The eyelet in my measuring tape is 1/4" from the end of the tape, so I add 1/4" to my radius measurement of 7 1/2" to get 7 3/4" and put a straight pin through the measuring tape at 7 3/4". Then, push the pin through the cardboard where the center of the circle is to be. (see Figure 2)  Insert the pencil into the eyelet and draw the circle.  NOTE: Be sure to keep the tape measure taught as you go around. (see Figures 2.1 & 2.2)

Figure 2

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

3. Cut out the circle with the utility knife.  NOTE: I usually make two cuts, going around twice. The first time I keep the cut shallow so I have better control cutting the contour around the circle. The second time I cut all the way through. (see Figures 3 & 3.1)

Figure 3
Shallow cut

Figure 3.1
Deep cut

FINISHED!

A perfect 15" circle
(ok, well nearly perfect :D)

-Jill