Embroidery Library Urban Threads The Study

💫Get 10 Designs for $20!

SHOP ELIGIBLE SINGLE DESIGNS

Wear It. Stitch It. Love It. 🌟 Apparel & Accessory designs are 60% off!

Using 3D Organza Applique on Projects

Using 3D Organza Applique on Projects

Give your embroidery unexpected levels of texture and depth by creating a beautiful in-the-hoop 3D organza flower! The colorful 3D applique embroidery is done entirely in the hoop, and is sure to add style and personality to your embroidery projects

Supplies & Materials:

- Small pieces of organza for petals
- Small piece of felt for flower center
- Heavy-weight water-soluble stabilizer (like Sulky Ultra Solvy)

- Temporary spray adhesive (Gunold KK100)
- Spray starch (optional)

The designs used in this tutorial include:

This tutorial shows how to make the  3D Poppy In-the-Hoop design.

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are 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 an embroidery software. If you do not have an 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.)

A white sheet of paper on a wooden surface with a faint printed outline of concentric wavy shapes forming a flower-like pattern and intersecting vertical and horizontal guidelines.

Spray the back of the template with temporary adhesive. Smooth that on the organza.

Cut out the shape for the outer petal.

Scissors cutting around a white paper pattern with concentric rose-like shapes, placed on a square piece of shiny red fabric on a wooden surface.

Peel the cut organza from the template and set it aside.

Place the template on another piece of organza, and cut out the second largest petal.

Repeat until all the petal pieces are cu

Red glittered fabric cut into a flower shape on a wood surface, next to white paper pattern pieces and orange-handled scissors.

Note that two colors of organza are used in this example: black, and red. Black is used for the inner/smaller petals. Choose colors to suit your preference.

Instead of organza, use felt for the flower center (the smallest piece on the dieline). Felt is sturdier than organza, and will do a good job holding the pieces together.

Six organza applique shapes in red and black arranged in two rows on a wooden surface, with each row showing shapes decreasing in size from left to right.

Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer, such as Sulky Ultra Solvy.

Embroidery hoop with sheer organza fabric hooped, placed on a wooden surface; fabric edges extend beyond the hoop frame.

Wind a bobbin with the same thread that is used in the top, so the petals look pretty from both sides.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery file (not the dieline/DL file).

The color change sheet will be your guide. The first thing to stitch is an outline for the center of the flower.

Three sewing machine bobbins on a white surface near the machine's needle plate; one bobbin held by a hand, others have red and black thread.

After the outline has stitched, spray the felt fabric piece (the smallest piece) with temporary adhesive.

Close-up of a small, irregular brown fabric piece on a wooden surface, with a hand holding a white spray can aimed at the fabric.

Place the felt in the outline. Trim any loose threads from the back.

A hand with a silver ring on the index finger points to a small brown star-shaped piece of fabric on a white sewing machine surface. A control panel with a display is partially visible.

Continue embroidering the design, and reference the color change sheet to see the steps.

The next thing to stitch is a tackdown stitch. This binds the fabric piece to the stabilizer.

Then, a satin stitch border will sew and another outline for the next fabric petal.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a layered flower-shaped applique with pink and brown organza fabric under the presser foot on a white machine base.

Spray the smallest organza fabric piece with adhesive and place it in the stitched outline.


Close-up of a sewing machine with a small black and gray organza flower applique positioned under the presser foot. A hand is holding the applique in place.

Continue embroidering the design. Tackdown and satin stitches will sew next, and an outline for the next fabric petal.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a black flower-shaped 3D organza applique on a white fabric or stabilizer, with clear stitch markings on the machine plate.

Repeat this process until all of the pieces have been placed and sewn. 

The last color change will stitch in the center -- this finishes off the design and binds the layers together.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching a red organza appliqué shaped like a flower with scalloped edges and a glittery center on a white flat surface.

Unhoop and trim the excess stabilizer away.

Hand cutting transparent fabric around a red organza flower applique with gold center on a wooden surface, using orange-handled scissors.

Remove the stabilizer according to packaging instructions. For Sulky Ultra Solvy, soak 15-20 minutes in water that is hot from the tap.

A hand holding a translucent red organza applique shaped like a flower with multiple embroidered layers in red and black, showing details on a clear surface.

Blot the finished embroidery to remove excess moisture.

Hand with extended finger near a red layered organza flower applique with black center embroidered on white textured fabric.

Spray starch can be used to give the flower even more dimension and shape.

Hand spraying a clear liquid onto a layered red and pink 3D organza flower applique placed on white fabric.

If using spray starch, spray thoroughly, then pinch the layers together to meet in the center. Allow to air dry.

Close-up of a hand placing or shaping a layered red organza flower applique on a pink fabric base with a stitched red outline, against a white background.

This same technique can be used with other 3D in-the-hoop designs, such as the  butterflies ,  daisy ,  magnolia ,  poinsettia ,  rose ,  snowflake , and  star

Red organza flower applique with layered petals outlined in darker red and black stitching, creating a 3D effect on a white background.

Plant these fun 3D designs on tote bags, flip flops, and other apparel for a stunning, lifelike appearance.

Black tote bag with white handles and trim, decorated with three red and pink 3D organza flower appliques with black centers, set against a neutral background.

These 3D organza poppies are especially beautiful when stitched on our Pretty Poppy Pillow. Find project instructions  here .

Square satin beige pillow with three layered red and black organza poppy appliques with detailed black bead stems, and embroidered gold and gray leaves, on a black leather couch.