Stuffed Multi-Layer Applique Ornaments (In-the-Hoop)

Bring layers of dimension to Christmas trees, gifts, and more with a stuffed multi-layer applique ornaments. Simply choose felt, cotton, and coordinating thread, then follow along with step-by-step project instructions to learn how to recreate your own.

Supplies & Materials:

Project Materials or Supplies
- Small piece of felt (for 3D applique flower)
- Small pieces of fabrics like cotton or flannel (for other main fabric and flat applique flower)
- Embroidery thread
- Temporary spray adhesive (such as Gunold KK100)
- Medium weight tearaway stabilizer1/4" Ribbon (for hanger)
- Polyester fiber fill
- Scissors
- Hand sewing needle & thread
- Fabric marking tool

The designs used in this tutorial include:

- EMP81362-1 , 3D Multi-Layer Poinsettia Ornament (In-the-Hoop)

Gather Materials:

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are the embroidery files, and others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print each dieline file using embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

We also 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 purchases made with this link.)

Stacked white and red fabric pieces beside printed embroidery pattern sheets on a gray surface, organized for a sewing project.

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

Square piece of light-colored fabric with a printed white circle outlined in black and marked with red cross lines, on a dark textured background.

Cut the dieline shapes out of the fabric. For the 3D applique flower, make sure to cut it out of something that does not fray (such as felt). The edges of the other applique pieces get covered by embroidery, so they can be any standard thin fabric (we used quilter's cotton in this example).

Two white circular fabric pieces, two red layered flower-shaped appliques, and a pair of gray-handled scissors on a gray fabric background.

Start Embroidering:

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Make sure it is nice and taut with no wrinkles.

Rectangular embroidery hoop with white stabilizer fabric hooped and secured, placed on a dark gray surface. No embroidery or stitching visible yet.

Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the embroidery file (not the dieline files). Use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle instead of an embroidery needle. The sharp sewing needle has a finer point, and it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer. Embroider the design.

The first thing to embroider will be the dieline (or outline stitch) for the front fabric piece. This marks the area on the stabilizer where the fabric piece will be placed.

Close-up of an embroidery machine hoop with fabric and tear-away stabilizer, stitching a large red circle outline on white fabric under the needle.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the front fabric piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the front fabric piece onto the stabilizer inside of the sewn dieline.

Embroidery hoop holding stabilizer and fabric with a stitched white circle in the center, set against a dark surface background.

Place the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the tackdown for the front fabric piece. The tackdown will hold the fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.

Close-up of an embroidery machine stitching a red circular border on white fabric secured in an embroidery hoop with stabilizer underneath.

Then any inner details will embroider as well as the dieline for the next applique piece. Stop before sewing the "tackdown" for the next applique piece.

Embroidery hoop with white fabric showing a stitched red circle border and red star outline; five green stitched leaf shapes inside star points, sewing machine needle visible.

Remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the applique piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the fabric piece onto the front fabric piece inside of the sewn dieline

Red and green embroidered poinsettia design centered on white fabric inside an embroidery hoop with a red stitched circular border.

Next, place your hoop back on the machine and a tackdown will sew the second fabric piece in place. If there are any inner details on this petal they will sew. A "guideline" will also sew for the 3D applique piece. This will show how to place the 3D fabric piece on the design. Stop before sewing the next tackdown.

Close-up of an embroidery machine stitching a red poinsettia flower with green leaves and yellow accents on white fabric framed by a red decorative circle.

Remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the 3D applique piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the fabric piece onto the design over of the sewn guideline.

Each guideline is unique depending on the fabric shape. Look at how the lines match up to the fabric piece carefully when placing it. Usually the guidelines will point to the edge of the fabric at corners or indents. Guidelines can also indicate where the center of a petal or piece should line up. In this example, the short lines match up with the indents between the petals, and the long lines show where the center of each petal should be.

Hand holding the top red fabric layer of a multi-layer poinsettia applique ornament in a white embroidery hoop on white stabilizer fabric.

After the 3D applique piece is placed, load the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the tackdown for the 3D piece as well as any remaining inner details. Stop before sewing the "back piece tackdown" step.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a red poinsettia flower applique with green leaves on white fabric, framed by a circular red border in an embroidery hoop.

Before sewing the "back piece tackdown" step, remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. To add a hanger, cut a piece of ribbon or cord to 5"-7" long and fold it in half. Center the ribbon on the back of the hoop at the center top of the ornament. Tape the two ends on the back of the embroidery and tape the folded end to the stabilizer above the design.

Embroidery hoop holding fabric with stitched circular applique design of a poinsettia flower in red, green, yellow, and brown thread on white fabric.

Then spray the wrong side of the back fabric piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the back fabric piece into place on the back side of the embroidery.

White fabric circle with a subtle snowflake design stitched inside, hooped for embroidery on water-soluble stabilizer with tape at the top, on a grey background.

Once assembled, both the front and back sides of each piece will be visible. To make both sides look nice, wind a bobbin with the same thread that is being used in the top needle and use it for the remaining embroidery steps.

Close-up of a spool of shiny deep red thread lying on gray fabric next to a small clear bobbin wound with matching red thread.

Load the matching bobbin into the machine, place the hoop back onto the machine, and embroider the "back piece tackdown" step. This will adhere the back piece in place on the back side of the hooped stabilizer and finish the outer border of the design.