Cuddle-Up Bunny

Add a three-dimensional look to your projects with embossed machine embroidery. These designs tamp down the fabric nap, and the negative space allows the design element to stand out for an eye-catching and textural look. These project instructions will show you how to tackle your own embossed machine embroidery project step by step.

Supplies & Materials:

Project Materials or Supplies
- Terrycloth towel
- Medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer
- Water-soluble stabilizer for topping

The designs used in this tutorial include: OR more materials & supplies

- D5474, Block Letter A (Embossed)
- M11808, Rose Medallion (Embossed)

The designs used in this tutorial include:

- D5474, Block Letter A (Embossed)
- M11808, Rose Medallion (Embossed)

Gather Materials:

To get started, print the PDF of the pattern pieces. The pattern for this bunny can be accessed by clicking the link above. For each size, there are seven pattern pieces that will print on seven pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper. The seven pattern pieces are the following:
- Four pieces for the body
- One piece for the ears
- One piece for the inner ears
- One piece for the belly

Hands hold several printed paper pattern pieces, including one labeled "Large Size Section 4," on a wooden surface. Only part of the pattern outlines are visible.

Cut out the pattern pieces of the body portion and tape them together. Then, cut out the other pattern pieces.

Hands holding and aligning paper sewing pattern pieces on a wooden surface, with black printed text and lines on white paper.

Pin the body pattern pieces onto the faux fur fabric and trace the shapes.

Close-up of hands tracing a sewing pattern onto white furry fabric with a purple marker; pins secure the paper pattern in place on the fabric.

A template, or printout of a design, is an excellent tool to help with placement. Print a template of the design from your embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, you can use a square of paper in the same size. Center the template inside the head section as shown. Mark the center point and horizontal and vertical axis lines.

Hands hold a small white paper with a printed cartoon animal face divided into four squares, showing eyes, eyebrows, nose, and smiling mouth on a gray-speckled surface.

Remove the template. Place the faux fur fabric on top of one piece of cutaway stabilizer, and add a piece of heavy-weight watersoluble stabilizer as a topping. This tutorial uses Sulky Ultra Solvy. This topping will keep the embroidery from sinking into the faux fur fabric. Hoop all the layers together, aligning the marks on the hoop with the marks on the fabric.

Hands pressing an iron on a piece of white fuzzy fabric with a purple heart outline drawn on it, placed on a wooden table.

Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is right over the center point on the fabric.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and presser foot stitching white fabric with loose white thread. The machine has a white and blue plastic body.

Start Embroidering:

Embroider the design.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a light pink fabric heart onto white fabric, with some purple markings visible underneath.

When the design is finished, carefully tear away the watersoluble stabilizer.

Hands smoothing a clear plastic bag on a white fluffy fabric with a faint purple circle drawn on it, person wearing a blue top, wooden surface below.

Then trim away the stabilizer on the backside of the embroidery.

Hands are cutting a paper bunny face template placed on white fabric. The person wears a royal blue top and black pants. Shelves with baskets are in the background.

Cut out the shape.

Person cutting around a fluffy white fabric piece shaped like a bunny with embroidered eyes and mouth on a wooden table.

Pin the belly pattern piece onto faux fur and trace the shape. Cut out the shape.

Hands pinning a paper pattern labeled "Large Size Belly Piece" onto a pink textured fabric, with pins holding the pattern in place.

With the right side facing up, place the belly fabric on top of the embroidered piece and pin in place.

Hands are placing pink fabric on the chest of a flat, white plush bunny with embroidered face details, lying on a wooden surface.

Zigzag stitch around the outer edge of the belly shape.

Close-up of hands guiding pink fluffy fabric under the presser foot of a sewing machine with white fuzzy fabric beside it.

Next, pin the ear pattern pieces onto the fabric, trace the patterns, and cut out the shapes. Cut two pieces of each pattern piece, one for the front of each ear, and one for the back. For the back fabric piece, flip the pattern pieces over before tracing and cutting out the shape.

Close-up of a hand holding a piece of white, fluffy fabric with purple stitch outlines in the shape of a rounded object and a curved segment on a wooden surface.

Place the inside ear pattern on top of the felt, pin in place, trace, and cut out the shapes.

Hands trace paper pattern pieces pinned to beige fabric using a white marking pen on a wooden surface.

Place the felt pieces on top of the front ear pieces, right sides facing up. Pin in place.

Hands sewing a pink felt ear piece with a yellow bead onto a white furry fabric piece on a wooden surface.

Zigzag stitch around the outer edge of the felt shapes.

Close-up of a sewing machine presser foot stitching a piece of light pink fabric with a yellow-headed pin secured in place, held by a person's fingers with light pink nail polish.

Place the front and back pieces right sides together and pin.

Hands arranging two white fabric cutouts with yellow straight pins on a wooden table next to a white sewing machine and a small clear container of pins.

Sew a 1/2" seam along the side edges only. Leave the bottom open for turning.

Hand holding a partially sewn white fabric piece shaped like an ear with pink stitching, positioned over a white sewing machine.

Turn the ears right side out and stuff them with polyester fiberfill.

Hands holding and shaping white fluffy fabric with a pink fabric insert, next to a sewing machine on a wooden surface.

Place the ears on top of the embroidered front piece, the right sides facing down. Angle the ears in towards the face so the center of the ears are aligned with the eyes. Allow the raw ends of the ears to extend about 1/2" over the outer edge of the fabric. Pin in place.

Hands are sewing or stuffing a white plush bunny with pink and black embroidered details on a wooden surface near a sewing machine.

Use the body pattern to cut another piece of faux fur. This is the back of the bunny. Place the back piece on top of the front piece, right sides together, and pin.