Quilt Blocks (In-the-Hoop)

Create a classic patchwork look in no time with embroidered quilt blocks stitched entirely in the hoop! See how to stitch traditional patchwork styles (think Winding Ways, Sunbonnet Sue, pinwheel shapes, and more) with your embroidery machine in this project tutorial!

When you download an in-the-hoop quilt block design you will see three files. One is the embroidery file, one is the dieline file (marked with the letters DL, and one is the printable planning sheet (marked with .PDF).

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

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

Cut around the dieline shapes leaving a bit of space around each piece.

Label the paper dielines with "front" and "back", as well as "left", and "right" to show their order on the quilt block.

This will keep the pieces in order and prevent them from being mixed up while embroidering.

Spray the backside of the paper with temporary spray adhesive and smooth it onto the fabric.

Then, cut out the shapes but do not remove the paper.

For another option, add one piece of double sided fusible web to the fabric before cutting out the shapes.

Add the fabric to the fusible web and press it with an iron.

Follow the instructions on the fusible web packaging for best results.

Then, add the paper dielines on top, cut out the shapes, and remove the back of the fusible web (but do not remove the dieline paper).

Next, hoop a piece of fabric with one piece of sheer mesh cutaway stabilizer.

Sheer mesh cutaway stabilizer works great with in-the-hoop quilt blocks because it keeps the blocks nice and light.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design.

Move the hoop so that the needle is directly aligned with the center point on the fabric.

Embroider the design -- a dieline, or outline, will sew first.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the fabric.

Spray the backside of the fabric with adhesive, remove the paper, and place the fabric piece right inside the dieline shape.

If you are using fusible web, remove the paper and press the fabric in place (no need for adhesive).

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and match the top thread to the fabric piece color.

Continue embroidering the design. A tack down stitch will sew next, this binds the fabric piece to the bottom fabric.

The dieline for the next fabric piece will sew next.

After each dieline sews, remove the hoop from the machine (but do not unhoop the fabric)

Add the fabric piece, attach the hoop back onto the machine, and continue with the design.

Match the color of the top thread with each fabric piece as you sew.

After the fabric pieces have sewn, a cutting line will sew last.

This line will be used to cut the quilt block.

When the design has finished, unhoop the fabric.

Print a template of the full embroidery file at full size to place the next block.

Position the template on the fabric leaving about 1" of space between the edges of the design and the first block.

Mark the center point with an air-erase pen.

Hoop the fabric and attach the hoop to the machine.

Move the needle over the center point of the next block, and embroider the block.