Rustic Ornament (In-the-Hoop)

Craft a homespun look for the holidays with these sweet and simple ornaments! Burlap and plaid fabric layered together create nature-inspired shapes to bring a warm and cozy look to your Christmas tree. Hand-trimming the fabric edges after stitching creates a soft and rustic look. We'll show you step-by-step how to create these charming quick-stitching ornaments!

This ornament has been specially designed to sew only on a hooped piece of burlap, so there is no stabilizer used of any kind.

After the pieces are embroidered the burlap and flannel fabric will be trimmed down into the ornament's final shape.

Before continuing, cut out a square of both the burlap and flannel fabric that is 6 inches wide by 6 inches high.

These two pieces will be used for the back of the ornament (the burlap) and the applique design on the front (the flannel).

Hoop a piece of burlap firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

As the design of the ornament will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin to match all the thread colors used.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the file. Begin to embroider the design. The first thing to sew out will be the "outline". This marks the area on the burlap to help with placement of the hanger.

To make the hanger, cut a length of ribbon or cord, at least seven inches in length, Fold it in half, tying off one end in a small knot.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the burlap.

Turn the hoop over so the back is facing up, and place the knotted end of the hanger inside the center of the outline. To keep it in place while sewing out, tape down the ribbon with masking tape.

With the hanger in place, spray the back piece with temporary spray adhesive, and place over the back side of the embroidery.

Turn the hoop right side up and carefully pat the burlap square to adhere it in place. To prevent shifting, do not smooth or rub the burlap into place. Then return the hoop to the machine.

Now sew out the "back piece tackdown". Don't worry if it sews over the tape; the tape can easily be torn away from around the stitches.

Again, remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the design.

With temporary spray adhesive, spray the back of the applique piece (the flannel square), and place over the front of the embroidery. Again, pat it into place, and do not smooth or rub the fabric.

Return the hoop to the machine and sew out the front tackdown.

Once the embroidery is finished, remove the hoop from the machine and unhoop the burlap.

Trim away the flannel to shape the applique, leaving about 1/4" of fabric around the "applique tackdown".

Some of the details will be too small for regular scissors. Instead use a smaller scissors to cut around legs, and trim closer to the details.

Then lightly part the front and back half of the burlap to expose the hanger.

Carefully begin to cut away the front half of the burlap, keeping a 1/4" margin of fabric around the outermost outline of the bear.

Repeat for the back piece of burlap, still being careful not to cut the hanger.

To finish, clean up the shapes with a smaller scissors.