How to Double-Hoop Wreath Designs

Learn how to use two hand embroidery hoops in different sizes to double-hoop your machine embroidery wreaths! The end result is an open center, creating a fun and modern effect. Project instructions below will show you how to make your own.

A wide variety of wreath designs can be used for the process of double-hooping. In this demonstration we used the largest size of the design. We recommend using the larger sizes of these designs for the best results.

A template (also called a print out) of a design is an excellent tool to help with placement and accurately measuring the design after its sewn out. Print off a template of your design using embroidery software. Then cut out the template very close to the design. Cutting it out this closely will make placement easier.

Use temporary spray adhesive on the back of your heavy cotton or linen. We chose a white linen for this demonstration. Smooth your fabric onto cutaway stabilizer. We used Soft n' Sheer cutaway stabilizer.

Use your printed template to draw the center point guide with a ruler and marking pen. Make sure that there is about 2"-3" extra inches around the template on all sides. This excess fabric will help with adjusting the design later in your hand embroidery hoops.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer taut, lining up the center point lines with the markers on the hoop.

Stitch out your selected wreath design.

After embroidering, remove the design from the hoop.

Trim away the excess stabilizer as close to the design as possible. Be careful not to cut the stitching or fabric.

Press the design, removing as many wrinkles as possible.

Using a ruler, measure the diameter of the embroidery design using the previously drawn center point lines. This determines the size of the larger hoop needed. Do the same for the center, as this will determine the size of the smaller hoop. In this example, we used an 8" hoop for the outer hoop and a 3" for the inner hoop, leaving some space around the outer and inner parts of the design.

Now, start with the smaller center hoop. With the embroidery facing down, center the wreath and slide the outside of the embroidery hoop over the inside, then tighten the screw until the fabric is taught. It does not matter which direction the screw on the outer part of the hoop is facing as this will be hidden on the finished project.

Flip the design so it's now right-side up.

With a small pair of scissors, cut an X into the center of the inner hoop. This will release the tension and make it easier to work with the outer hoop.

Slide the inside piece of the larger hoop under the fabric and position it so that the wreath is centered.

Make sure the top of the outer part of the hoop (where the screw is) is lined up with the top of the design, then loosely hoop the wreath.

Tighten the screw about halfway. While working clockwise, go around the hoop pulling on the edges of the fabric to smooth out the wrinkles and evenly distribute the fabric.

Tighten the screw as much as possible, then repeat to work around the edges of the design, adjusting until the design is free of any remaining wrinkles.

Be sure to leave a 1/2" to 3/4" edge, but use the smaller scissors to trim away the excess fabric from the center. Snip small vertical cuts on the remaining fabric.

Turn the design over so that the back of the embroidery is facing up. Wrap the edges around the back of the smaller embroidery hoop. Use a stick of craft glue or a hot glue gun (as shown here) to secure it in place.

Now repeat the process of cutting the vertical slits and gluing them for the outer embroidery hoop.

Remove the pen marks on you fabric per package instructions. If you'd like, cut a matching ribbon, cord, or twine to the desired length and create a hanging point for your wreath.