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Adding Embroidery to Candles

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Add a warm and glowing look to your home with an embroidered candle! Learn how to stitch embroidery onto organza and water-soluble stabilizer, then adhere to a candle for a wonderful look. It's a great way to bring style and personality to your home -- choose designs for any season, holiday, or special event, and let your creativity shine!

Project Needs & Notes:

- Unscented candle (scented candles have oils
  that prevent the embroidery from adhering)
- Organza (choose color to match candle)
- Water-soluble stabilizer
  (Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Permanent multi-purpose spray adhesive

The design used in this tutorial and video include:
D7871, Autumn Fleur de Lis
K7346, Frosty Filigree Snowflake
K3487, Merry and Bright Christmas Bulbs
3 1/2 Inch Damask Alphabet Design Pack 

When choosing designs, choose those that are light to medium in complexity. Designs that are too complex will cause the fabric to curl.

Special Notes:
Either tulle or organza can be used in this project, but we have a slight preference for organza, as it has a tighter weave than tulle. Light designs will work best on organza, rather than tulle.

As a safety precaution, when the candle begins to burn down, peel the embroidery away. Reapply the embroidery to a new candle.

This project was featured in the following:
Gather 'Round the Table Lookbook
Christmas Gift Guide Lookbook

Designs Used

Cut a piece of organza and a piece of water-soluble stabilizer a bit larger than your hoop.

Sulky Ultra Solvy or Vilene are both good choices for this project.

Hoop the organza with the water-soluble stabilizer with organza on the bottom.

Organza has a mesh texture, so placing the stabilizer on top means that you'll have a smooth surface for stitching.

Attach the hoop to the machine and embroider the design.

When the design has finished, trim the excess stabilizer away.

Trim any long threads on the back of the embroidery.

Cut the organza away, leaving a little bit around the embroidery.

Soak to remove the rest of the water-soluble stabilizer. Allow to air dry.

After the piece is dry, spray the back with permanent multi-purpose spray adhesive.

Press onto the candle.

Wrap the candle with wax paper, then use a rubber band to secure the design to the candle.

Adding embroidery to candles is a beautiful way to decorate your home.

Stitch different versions for various holidays, seasons, or decorating schemes.

Personalize your candle by adding a sophisticated monogram. This Damask letter is the perfect way to update the classic home accent.

Designs that are small work best on candles, as they fit into the surface area more easily.

An elegant fleur de lis design is a timeless embroidery accent to add to your candle.

Transform your candle into a wow-worthy table centerpiece by surrounding it with seasonal faux foliage, or in this case, icy beads and twigs. The snowflake design coordinates perfectly.

The candles are fabulous on your holiday tables, on a mantel, or to update bathroom decor. This Merry and Bright design adds festive flair to the candle.