In-the-hoop purse designs have one full embroidery file and two dielines. One dieline is for the front, and the other is for the back.

Dieline files are marked with the letters DL. They're used to cut the fabric to the proper shape and size.

Open the dieline files with embroidery software and print each twice.

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

Spray a front dieline printout with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Smooth that onto the fabric that you've selected for the outside of the purse.

Cut out the shape. Leave the printed dieline on top of the fabric piece.

Spray the other front dieline printout with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Smooth that on top of the lining fabric.

Cut out the shape. Leave the printed dieline on top of the fabric piece.

Spray a back dieline printout with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Place the printed dieline for the back onto the fabric for the outside of the purse.

Cut out the shape. Leave the printed dieline on top of the fabric piece.

Spray the other back dieline printout with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Place the printed dieline for the back onto the lining fabric.

Cut out the shape. Leave the printed dieline on top of the fabric piece.

Some in-the-hoop purse designs have rounded flaps.

If working with a design that has a rounded flap, you may notice notches around the top of the back dieline. These are areas that should be cut.

Cut along the markings, and cut out the notches.

Do this for both the outside fabric, and the lining fabric.

The next step is to press the seam allowances on the fabric.

Fold the printed dieline down to the marked line.

Turn the piece over so the fabric side is up, paper template side is down.

Fold the fabric down toward the wrong side until it equals the paper's fold.

Press with a warm iron.

Remove the printed dieline

Follow these steps to press the seam allowances (including notched areas) for all four fabric pieces.

Remove the printed dielines from the fabric pieces.

Spray the wrong side of the front lining piece with temporary adhesive.

Smooth that onto the wrong side of the outer fabric piece.

Spray the wrong side of the back lining piece with temporary adhesive.

Smooth that onto the wrong side of the back fabric piece.

Cut a piece of cord for the strap, 42" long.

Slip the ends between the upper corners of the back fabric and lining.

Wind a bobbin with the same thread that will be used in the needle.

Use this in the first two steps of the design.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it's time to embroider the design.

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Use a size 11 sharp sewing needle in the machine rather than an embroidery needle.

A sharp sewing needle is the best choice when embroidering in-the-hoop designs.

Load the full embroidery file (not a dieline file) to your embroidery machine.

Attach the hoop, and begin embroidering the design.

Reference the color change sheet for the design as you stitch. That sheet tells you what is stitched in each step.

CC1 is a dieline, or outline stitch, that traces the shape for the front fabric pieces.

After CC1, the dieline, has sewn, lightly spray the corners of the lining side of the front piece with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Place that piece, lining side down, in the stitched dieline.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to stitch is a seam that stitches the front and lining together.

After the seam has stitched, you may change to a regular bobbin.

Continue embroidering the design, referencing the color change sheet as you stitch.

Other elements of the purse will sew - in this case, flowers.

When you get to the section on the color change sheet that says "back piece dieline," stop the machine before embroidering this step.

The remaining steps will be seen from both sides, so wind a bobbin with the same thread used in the top.

Lightly spray the corners of the outer fabric side of the back fabric with temporary adhesive.

Remove the hoop and place that fabric, lining side up, inside the sewn dieline as shown.

Attach the hoop to the machine and continue embroidering the design. The final steps are a finishing seam for the flap, and a buttonhole.

After the design has finished, unhoop the stabilizer and gently tear it away from the purse.

The dieline threads will tear away with the stabilizer. Clip any loose threads that remain.

Turn the purse right-side out.

Use a craft knife on a cutting pad to slit the fabric in the buttonhole.

Bring the flap over and mark where to stitch the button.

Sew a 5/8" button at that mark.

Create your own in-the-hoop purse to carry your wallet, keys, and any other necessities.

A fun and fashionable accessory for any outfit!