Raw Edge Ornaments (In-the-Hoop)

When you download the in-the-hoop 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. Learn more about working with dieline files by watching this video.

Spray the back side of the printed dieline for the front piece with a small amount of temporary adhesive. Smooth it onto a piece of felt or ultrasuede.

Next cut out both a front and back piece using the printed dieline.

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.

Madeira E-Zee Tear 1.5 oz. or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. These brands are more fibrous, less paper-like, and will tear more cleanly.

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.

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design.

A running stitch tackdown will sew next. This holds the front fabric in place for the remainder of the design. Then all of the inside details will be embroidered.

On the color change sheet, look for the note that says "finishing seam." 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.

Cut a piece of ribbon to 7"-8" long. Form the ribbon into a loop, and tape it in place on the backside of the back fabric piece. Make sure to center it along the top edge.

Spray the back side of the back fabric piece with adhesive, and place it inside the shape on the backside of the embroidery. Tape the looped ribbon to the side of the hoop so that it will not be sewn over in the remaining steps.

Since both sides of the ornament with 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).