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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.
Project Needs & Notes
- 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)
This tutorial shows how to make the 3D Poppy In-the-Hoop design.
Find even more 3D in-the-hoop designs here.
The method described below will work with 3D in-the-hoop designs. If you are working with a 3D design that is not marked with the words "in-the-hoop," reference a different tutorial here.
Designs Used
3D applique in-the-hoop designs come with two files. One file is marked with a DL, and that is a "dieline" file.
Use the dieline file to cut the organza to the right shape and size. Open the DL/dieline file with your embroidery software, and print it. This is called a template.
If you don't have software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program that can print templates.
Spray the back of the template with temporary adhesive. Smooth that on the organza.
Cut out the shape for the outer petal.
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 cut.
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.
Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer, such as Sulky Ultra Solvy.
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.
After the outline has stitched, spray the felt fabric piece (the smallest piece) with temporary adhesive.
Place the felt in the outline. Trim any loose threads from the back.
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.
Spray the smallest organza fabric piece with adhesive and place it in the stitched outline.
Continue embroidering the design. Tackdown and satin stitches will sew next, and an outline for the next fabric petal.
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.
Unhoop and trim the excess stabilizer away.
Remove the stabilizer according to packaging instructions. For Sulky Ultra Solvy, soak 15-20 minutes in water that is hot from the tap.
Blot the finished embroidery to remove excess moisture.
Spray starch can be used to give the flower even more dimension and shape.
If using spray starch, spray thoroughly, then pinch the layers together to meet in the center. Allow to air dry.
This same technique can be used with other 3D in-the-hoop designs, such as the butterflies, daisy, magnolia, poinsettia, rose, snowflake, and star
Plant these fun 3D designs on tote bags, flip flops, and other apparel for a stunning, lifelike appearance.
These 3D organza poppies are especially beautiful when stitched on our Pretty Poppy Pillow. Find project instructions here.
