When you download a door hanger design you'll find two files.

One file is marked with "_DL." That stands for "dieline." The dieline is what we'll use to cut the fabric to the shape to make the hanger.

Print the "DL" file from your embroidery software. This is a "template" that we'll use to cut the fabric to the shape to make the  hanger.

If you don't have embroidery software to print a template, then you can make a template by embroidering the dieline file onto a piece of paper.

Hoop two pieces of paper.

Load the "_DL" file to your machine, and embroider right onto the paper.

Then, unhoop the paper and cut on the sewn line. You'll have two templates.

Spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer with a bit of temporary adhesive.

Place the fabric for the front of your  hanger on top of the stabilizer, and smooth it flat.

Place the paper template on top of the fabric and stabilizer.

Cut out the shapes -- cut directly on the dieline.

Repeat this with a piece of fabric for the back side of the hanger.

Also, if your hanger uses multiple pieces of applique fabric, make a fabric and stabilizer piece for each fabric piece, too.

Remove the paper template and set it aside. Save it for the next time that you'll make this hanger!

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the right shape, it's time to make the hanger.

Hoop a piece of tearaway stabilizer.

Load the full embroidery file into your machine -- that's the file that is named only with an "X" followed by 4 numbers.

Embroider the design. The first thing to sew will be another dieline. This traces the area on the stabilizer for the front of the hanger.

Place the fabric for the front of the hanger on the stabilizer, right in the shape from the dieline.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to sew will be a tack down stitch. This will bind the fabric piece to the stabilizer so that it's nice and stable during the rest of the embroidery.

Your hanger might use multiple fabric pieces. Add them along the way as indicated by the color change sheet.

On the color change sheet you'll see a note that says "back piece tack down." When you get to this step, stop the machine and remove the hoop.

Spray the back side of the back fabric piece with a bit of temporary adhesive.

Place that fabric piece on the back of the embroidery, right in the shape from the dieline.

Attach the hoop to the machine and continue embroidering the design.

The next thing to sew will be a tack down stitch which binds the back fabric to the stabilizer and front fabric. And finally, a satin stitch border.

Remove the hoop from the machine, and unhoop the stabilizer. Gently tear the excess away.

Then, slip onto a doorknob for a lovely greeting!

Click here to find the door hanger designs
at the Embroidery Library!