In-the-hoop designs are specially digitized to be embroidered and completed right in the hoop.

In-the-hoop bottle apron designs have three files. One is a full embroidery file, and the other two are dieline files.

The two dieline files are marked with the letters "DL." They're used to cut the front and back fabric pieces.

Print the dielines with embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program.

Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive, and smooth the bottle apron fabric on top.

Place the template for the front dieline on top, and cut out the shape.

Repeat for the back piece.

Next, hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Choose a good-quality stabilizer, that is soft and pliable. Avoid stabilizer that is stiff or rigid, as that can lead to gapping and misalignment.

A size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle is recommended. Sharp sewing needles have a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, and bring the best results when embroidering on tear-away stabilizer.

Load the full embroidery design to your machine, and begin to embroider the design.

The color change sheet will be your guide.

The first thing to sew is a dieline, or outline, which traces a shape onto the hooped tear-away stabilizer.

Spray a bit of temporary adhesive on the stabilizer side of the fabric for the apron front. Then, place that right in the dieline on the tear-away stabilizer.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to stitch will be a tackdown or zigzag stitch. This binds the apron fabric to the tear-away stabilizer.

Continue embroidering the design. Refer to the color change sheet, and when you reach the step that says "back piece tackdown," stop the machine.

Remove the hoop from the machine -- but don't take the stabilizer out of the hoop. Instead, turn the hoop over.

Spray the stabilizer side of the back piece fabric with a bit of temporary adhesive. Then, place it on the back of the tear-away stabilizer. 

The rest of the stitches will be seen from both sides. Wind a bobbin with the same thread that you're using in the needle.

Attach the hoop to the machine, and continue embroidering the design. The tackdown stitch will sew, which binds the back fabric to the stabilizer. Then, a border and buttonholes will sew.

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

Use a craft knife to cut through the buttonholes.

Thread a large-eye needle with ribbon and make the ties.

Start on the left lower hole, threading the ribbon from front to back. Then, bring the ribbon out of the upper left hole and across to the upper right hole. Leave about five inches for the neck of the bottle. Bring the ribbon down to the lower right hole, threading from back to front.

Leave enough ribbon on the sides to tie around the bottle.

In-the-hoop bottle aprons are a great way to add fun to a hostess or Christmas gift, too.

Use them to dress up bottles of wine and sparkling cider, or even dish soap and olive oil!

This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

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