Freestanding Fabric (In-the-Hoop)

Stitching combines with your choice of fabric to create graceful and lovely textures. We'll show you step-by-step how to craft this beautiful, unique decoration!

When you download the ITH Freestanding Fabric design, you will find a total of three files. One file is the embroidery file and the other two 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 embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines without software. We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link, learn more about affiliate links here)

Start by spraying the backside of front dieline printout with temporary adhesive and smooth it on top of the fabric. Add medium weight cut-away stabilizer to the back of the front piece fabric.

Cut out the shape and repeat to make the back dieline piece. After cutting, make sure to fold up one corner of the paper dieline to make it easier to remove later. You can also label the paper with a "F" for "front" and a "B" for "back" to keep the pieces in order and prevent them from being mixed up.

Hoop the stabilizer firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

There are a couple of different kinds of water-soluble stabilizer. One is clear and plastic, and that brand is Sulky Ultra Solvy. The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene. Both will work well. Vilene is used in this demonstration.

Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. That means it will make smaller holes in the stabilizer.

Load the main embroidery file onto the machine (not the dieline files), and begin embroidering the design.

The first thing to embroider will be a dieline, or outline stitch. This marks the area on the stabilizer where we'll place the front fabric piece.

Spray the back of the front piece with temporary adhesive. Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Place the fabric piece right inside the sewn dieline.

Reattach the hoop to the machine and continue with the design. A tack down will sew next. This binds the front fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design. All of the inner elements will follow.

Watch the color change sheet, and stop the machine before sewing "back piece tackdown". Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the backside of the back dieline with temporary adhesive, and place it on the back of the embroidery.

The ITH Freestanding Fabric design is seen from both sides, so wind a bobbin with the same thread that you're using in the needle, before returning the hoop to the machine.

Place the hoop back into the machine and embroider the back piece tackdown. An E-stitch will bind the edges, the lace antennae and head will finish the design.

After embroidering, unhoop the stabilizer and cut away the excess.

The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing the excess. For Vilene, soak the freestanding fabric design for a few moments.

Let the Freestanding fabric design air dry, then press using a pressing cloth.