Layered Applique Trivet (In-the-Hoop)

Craft cozy and classic accents to complement any kitchen decor! These trivets feature layered applique to create a patchwork look -- without all the piecing. These in-the-hoop designs are simple to stitch -- follow the step-by-step instructions below to create your own!

When you download the in-the-hoop layered applique trivet design, you will find multiple files. One is an embroidery file, 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 each dieline file with embroidery software, and print it. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom TrueSizer is a free program to use. Print enough copies so you can cut out each shape.

First, spray one side of a piece of Insul-Bright with temporary adhesive. Smooth the Insul-Bright onto the wrong side of the back piece fabric.

Then spray the back side of the printed back piece dieline with temporary adhesive, and smooth it onto the right side of the back fabric.

Cut the back dieline shape out of the adhered fabric and Insul-Bright. Then remove the paper dieline.

Next spray the back of all of the remaining paper dielines with temporary adhesive. Then smooth them onto the right side of the appropriate fabrics.

Cut out all the remaining dieline pieces. These should only be fabric, and should not have Insul-Bright on the back.

Once all the fabric pieces are cut to the correct shapes, it's time to embroider the design. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Madeira E-Zee 1.5 oz. or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. Those brands are more fibrous, less like paper, and will tear more cleanly.

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

Use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle instead of an embroidery needle. The sharp sewing needle has a finer point, and it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline, sometimes called an outline stitch. This marks the area on the stabilizer where the fabric will be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the first fabric piece (here it is the front piece) with temporary adhesive. Place the fabric on the stabilizer inside of the sewn dieline.

Then place the hoop back onto the machine, and embroider the tackdown for the previously placed fabric piece. A tackdown holds the fabric piece in the place for the remainder of the design.

Follow the color change sheet until you reach the next dieline step (here it is the star piece).

Repeat to remove the hoop from the machine, spray the wrong side of the star piece, and place it inside the sewn dieline. Then embroider the tackdown step.

Continue again to follow the color change sheet until you reach the next dieline step (here it is the diamond piece).

Repeat again to remove the hoop from the machine, spray the wrong side of the fabric piece, place it inside the sewn dieline, and embroider the tackdown step.

Different trivets have different fabric pieces, so look at the color change sheet carefully.

Once all the front fabric pieces are tacked down into place, embroider all of the inner details. Make sure to stop before sewing the "back piece tackdown" step.

Spray the wrong side of the back piece (the Insul-Bright side) with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it inside the shape on the back side of the embroidery.

This is also where you can place a fabric or ribbon loop to add a hanger to your trivet, if you choose.

As all the bobbin stitching from here on out will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin to match the remaining thread color use in the design.

Return the hoop to the machine and embroider the back piece tackdown and finishing seam.

Once the embroidery is finished, carefully tear the excess stabilizer away from the outside of the trivet.