How to Make a Candy Cane Holder Stuffie (In-the-Hoop)

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files and some are dieline files labeled with "DL". Dieline files are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape.

Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. We recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchased made through this link.)

If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on dielines.

Spray the backside of the printed dieline with temporary adhesive and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut out the fabric shape following the dieline.

Repeat to cut out all of the fabric pieces and remove the paper.

Hoop a piece of tearaway stabilizer firmly.

Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the first embroidery design. For best results, use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle as it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the dieline. This will mark on the stabilizer where the front piece needs to be placed.

Spray the wrong side of the front piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it in place inside of the sewn dieline on the front side of the hooped tear-away stabilizer.

If using a fluffy fabric, cut a piece of lightweight water-soluble stabilizer, lay it over the front piece, and tape it in place. This will prevent the embroidery from sinking into the fabric.

Embroider the "front piece tackdown". This tackdown will hold the fabric in place for the remainder of the design.

Follow the color change sheet and embroider all the inner details.

Embroider the dielines for the arm pieces. Stop before embroidering the tackdown for the arm pieces.

After the dielines for the arms have sewn, carefully remove as much of the water soluble stabilizer topper as you can.

Spray the wrong side of the arm pieces with temporary spray adhesive and smooth them into place over the sewn dielines.

Place the hoop back onto the machine and stitch the arm tackdowns.

If your design has felt accent pieces, embroider the placement guides for them.

The felt ears and antlers (if applicable) will need to be placed facing inward so they end up correct when the design is turned right side out.

Place them inside the sewn guides. Use masking or painters tape to hold the pieces in place.

Spray the right side of the back piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it into place on top of the front piece with right sides together. Make sure to line up the edges of the fabric pieces.

Place another piece of lightweight water-soluble stabilizer on top of the fabric pieces and tape it into place. This prevents the embroidery from sinking into the fabric piece and also adds stability.

Place the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the back piece tackdown. It will leave a small opening along the edge for turning.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the design and remove the excess tearaway stabilizer.

Also rip the tearaway stabilizer off the wrong side of the embroidery. Removing as much stabilizer as possible will make turning it right side out easier and will make the final stuffie look nicer.

To help the shape of the design look nice once turned, clip the seams around any curved edges or corners. Be careful not to cut your stitching.

Do not trim the seam where the opening is at it will make it harder to sew closed.

Turn the design right side out through the small opening. Remove any remaining tape or stabilizer.

Stuff the candy holder with filler (such as polyester fiberfill).

Then fold the edges of the opening inwards and hand sew it closed.

Create a bunch of candy cane holders to decorate for the holidays or give them as cute gifts to family and friends.