When you download a Cottage Applique Bookmark design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and the others 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 an embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

Spray the backside of the printed dielines with a small amount of temporary adhesive, and smooth it onto the chosen fabric. For the front piece and applique pieces, we used cotton. For the back piece make sure to use something sturdier like felt so the bookmark does not become too floppy.

Cut out all the fabric shapes and remove the paper.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it is time to embroider the design. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery design (not the dieline files). Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, rather than an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, so that will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer. Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline or outline. This marks the area on the stabilizer for the front fabric piece.

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

Place the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the tackdown for the front piece. The tackdown holds the fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.

If your design has applique pieces, embroider the dieline for the next applique piece. In this example it is the roof.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back of the roof applique with a small amount of temporary adhesive. Place the fabric right inside the sewn outline.

Place the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the tackdown for applique piece.

Follow the color change sheet to embroider any remaining front dielines and tackdowns for any additional applique pieces. Make sure to spray and place each front piece inside of its dieline before sewing its tackdown.

After all the front fabric pieces are tacked down in place, embroider the inner details if there are any. Stop before sewing the "back piece tackdown" step.

On the color change sheet, look for the note that says, "back piece tackdown." When you get to this section, stop the machine, and remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Flip the hoop over so that the backside is facing up. Spray the backside of the back fabric piece with adhesive and place it inside the shape on the backside of the embroidery.

Since both sides of the bookmark will be seen, wind a bobbin with the same thread used in the needle.

Attach the hoop back to the machine and continue embroidering the design. A tackdown and the final border will sew around the outer edge of the fabric. This binds all the layers together.

Once the embroidery is finished, remove the hoop from the machine. Unhoop the stabilizer, and carefully tear the excess stabilizer away (the dieline will be removed with the stabilizer).

Use a craft knife, awl, or small scissors to open the eyelet at the top of the bookmark.

Cut a piece of ribbon to 7" - 8" long, thread it through the eyelet, and tie it into the knot.