In-the-Hoop Designs

In-the-hoop designs are a versatile way to bring a vibrant touch to your decor. Use this time of motif to make ornaments, magnets, and anything in between. Project instructions will show you how to stitch this type of design in-the-hoop.

Project Needs & Notes:

- Cotton fabric (lightweight canvas, denim, twill, etc.)
- Tear-away stabilizer
- Medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (Gunold's KK100)
- Self-adhesive magnet strips or button magnets with hot glue and gun (optional)

The design used in this demonstration is X3831, Cherry On Top Magnet.

When you download an in-the-hoop design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and the 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.

In addition to stitching out on tear-away stabilizer, we find that in-the-hoop designs are much sturdier if cutaway stabilizer is sandwiched between the front fabric and back fabric pieces.

Begin the assembly process by spraying a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive.

Then, smooth the front fabric piece onto the stabilizer with the right side facing up.

Spray your printed front piece dieline with temporary adhesive, then place the printed dieline onto your fabric and cut out the shape.

Repeat the previous steps for the back piece dieline, too.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it's time to embroider the design.

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Use a size 11 sharp sewing needle in the machine rather than an embroidery needle.

A sharp sewing needle is the best choice when embroidering in-the-hoop designs.

Load the full embroidery file (not a dieline file) to your embroidery machine.

Attach the hoop, and begin embroidering the design.

Reference the color change sheet for the design as you stitch. That sheet tells you what is stitched in each step.

CC1 is a dieline, or outline stitch, that traces the shape for the front fabric pieces.

After CC1 has sewn, spray the back side of the front fabric and stabilizer piece with temporary adhesive.

Place that right inside the stitched dieline.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to stitch is a tack down or zigzag stitch which binds that fabric to the stabilizer.

Other elements of the design will embroider. Keep referencing the color change sheet as you stitch.

When you get to the note on the color change sheet that says "back piece tack down," stop the machine before stitching this step.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Turn the hoop over.

Spray the backside of the back fabric and stabilizer piece with temporary adhesive.

If you wish to use your in-the-hoop design as an ornament, first cut a piece of ribbon and use masking tape to secure the ends inside the sewn dieline shape. Once the ribbon is placed, or if you do not wish to add a ribbon, simply place your back fabric piece on the backside of the hooped stabilizer, right inside the sewn dieline shape.

The next steps will be seen from both sides, so wind a bobbin with the same thread you're using in the top.

Attach the hoop to the machine and continue embroidering the design. The next step is a tack down stitch that binds the layers together, followed by the finishing border or seam.

After the design has finished, unhoop the stabilizer and carefully tear it away from the design.

If you plan to use your design as a magnet, simply apply self-adhesive magnet strips to the back.

Or, apply button magnets with drops of hot glue.

Give your fridge a bright and colorful look with charming in-the-hoop magnets. With themes including sweet treats, tropical getaways, back to school, and more, there's a perfect option for everyone!