Animal Eye Masks (In-the-Hoop)In-the-hoop wearable masks use fabric to fill open areas and add a back to their designs. The result is a fun and friendly mask that is fabulous for dress up, birthday parties, Halloween, and more. Follow these tips and tricks to learn how to embroider an in-the-hoop mask. SuppliesProject Needs & Notes Large: 3 3/16" Products Used
|
Steps To Complete
In-the-hoop masks from Embroidery Library have dieline files. |
To prepare the front fabric piece, spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Spray the baskside of the front piece dieline printout with a quick shot of adhesive; smooth that on top of the fabric. |
Cut out the shape. Also cut out the back fabric piece and any other added fabric pieces (I used stiff felt for the additional pieces). |
Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Load the full embroidery file and attach the hoop to the machine. Embroider the design. The first thing to stitch is another dieline. |
After the dieline has stitched, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the backside of the front fabric piece with adhesive. |
Place the fabric piece right inside the shape. |
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design. A tackdown stitch, also called a zigzag stitch, will sew next. This will bind the fabric to the stabilizer. |
Other elements of the design will sew. Watch for a note on the color change sheet that says "back piece tackdown". When you reach this step, remove the hoop from the machine and turn it over to the backside. |
Spray the backside of the back fabric piece with adhesive and place it right inside the shape on the backside of the embroidery. |
Some masks will have additional fabric pieces (like the beak on the owl mask). |
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue sewing. Another tackdown will stitch. This binds the back piece (and any other additional pieces) to the front piece. |
For the remaining steps, since both sides of the mask will be visible, I wound a bobbin (or bobbins if there are more than one color remaining) with the same color I am using in the needle. |
Satin stitch borders will sew next to finish off the mask. |
After the design has finished, tear away the stabilizer from inside the eye holes and around the outer edges of the mask. |
Using a small sharp scissors or craft knife, lay the mask on top of a cutting pad and poke holes in the center of the ribbon holes on each side of the mask. |
Thread one end of the ribbon through a large eye tapestry needle and work the ribbon through one of the ribbon holes. Tie that end of the ribbon in place with a knot and trim the ribbon. |
Cut the ribbon to the desired length (see above) and repeat for the opposite side of the mask to finish. |
These wearable masks are the perfect addition to your dress-up collection, Halloween costume, or birthday decorations. Kids and adults alike will love wearing the fun masks. |