When you download an in-the-hoop bookmark design, you will find two files. One file is a dieline, and ends with "_DL." The other file will begin with the letter "X" or "Y."

If you have embroidery software, open the dieline file, and print it at full size. We'll use this printout to cut the fabric and stabilizer to the right size for the applique piece.

To prepare the fabric for the front of the bookmark, make a "sandwich" of stabilizer, fabric, and the template. To do this, spray a piece of tear-away stabilizer with temporary adhesive

Then, smooth the fabric on top.

Spray the paper template with a quick shot of adhesive, and smooth the template over the fabric. Cut out the shape.

If you don't have software to print the dieline file, you can stitch the dieline directly onto the fabric and cut out the shape. To do this, cut a piece of stabilizer and fabric a bit larger than your hoop. Spray the stabilizer with adhesive.

Then, smooth the fabric on top.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer.

Embroider the dieline on the fabric...

 ...and cut out the shape.

To prepare the back piece, spray a piece of the interfacing with adhesive.

Then, smooth the fabric on top.

Lay the front "sandwich" piece on top and cut around the shape. You can spray the backside of the front piece with a bit of adhesive to help hold it in place while cutting. 

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the exact shape, it's time to embroider the bookmark. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

 Attach the hoop to the machine, load the design (the file that starts with "X" or "Y") and begin embroidering the design. The first thing to sew is another dieline.

After the dieline has sewn, spray the backside of the front fabric piece with temporary adhesive and...

 ...place it directly inside the dieline. Then continue embroidering the design.

A zigzag or tack down stitch will sew next. These stitches will hold the fabric in place during the rest of the embroidery.

Other elements of the design will sew next. On the color change sheet you will see a note that says "back piece tack down."  When you get to this point, stop the machine, and remove the hoop (but don't unhoop the stabilizer). 

Spray the wrong side (interfacing side) of the back piece with adhesive.

Add the back piece to the back of the embroidery by laying the fabric right inside the shape.

The next stitches, which will sew next, will be seen from the front and back, so you will need to change the bobbin thread to match the top thread.

Attach the hoop to the machine, and continue sewing. Another zigzag tack down stitch will sew. These stitches will attach the back fabric piece to the bookmark.

After the tack down stitches are complete, a satin stitch border finishes the edge of the bookmark.

When the satin stitch is complete, remove the hoop from the machine, and unhoop the bookmark. Gently tear away the excess stabilizer.  Your bookmark is complete!