This in-the-hoop design has three files. One is a full embroidery file. The other two are dieline files marked with the letters DL.

Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size. Open the dieline files with embroidery software and print them.

If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program to use.

Spray the backside of the paper dieline for the front piece of the stocking with temporary adhesive, then smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut out the shape and repeat the previous step to cut out the back piece. Once you have cut out your fabric, you can remove the paper dielines.

There are a couple of different types of water-soluble stabilizer.

Sulky Ultra Solvy is clear and plastic, and Vilene is soft and fibrous. Both work very well.

Vilene is used in this tutorial. Use a size 75/11 sharp sewing needle. This needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, and it will make smaller holes in the stabilizer.

Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer so that it is taut, almost like a drum. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

Attach the hoop onto your machine and load the full embroidery file (not the dieline files).

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be the "front piece dieline". This will mark the area on the stabilizer where the front fabric piece is to be placed.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back of the front piece with temporary adhesive, and smooth it into place inside of the sewn dieline.

Reattach the hoop onto your machine, and sew the "front piece tackdown, finishing edge" which will hold that fabric piece in place.

Continue to embroider the inner details of the design.

Next embroider the "back piece dieline" which will show where the back piece will be placed on the back of the hoop.

Remove the hoop from the machine without unhooping the stabilizer, and flip it so the back side of the embroidery is facing up.

Spray the right side of the back fabric piece with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it into place on the backside of the embroidery.

Since the rest of the embroidery will now be see from both sides, wind a bobbin with the same thread that is being used in the top needle. Place the new bobbin into the machine.

Place the hoop back onto your machine and embroider the "back piece tackdown, finishing edge" step.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the stabilizer and trim the excess stabilizer away from around the design.

The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing it. For Vilene, soak the embroidered pieces in water for a few moments.

Allow the pieces to air dry, and then press them flat with a pressing cloth and iron.

To add a hanger, cut a piece of 6" long ribbon and make it into a loop. Use a hot glue gun to glue the loop in place in the upper right corner of the design. Cover the raw ends by gluing a button on top.