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Candy Huggers (In-the-Hoop)

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.

Gift candy and treats for Valentine's Day, Halloween, party favors, and more with these sweet in-the-hoop candy huggers. The adorable animals hug each piece of candy to their chest (plus, a too-cute pocket helps keep the candy in place!).
 

Project Needs & Notes

- Small pieces of felt (for front and back)
- Small pieces of quilter's cotton (for pocket)
- Tear-away stabilizer
- Medium-weight cutaway stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (Gunold KK100)
- Fabric glue and clothespin, velcro, or needle and thread

Designs used in this tutorial include the Candy Huggers (In-the-Hoop).

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
In-the-hoop candy hugger designs have three files.

One is the embroidery file. The other two are dieline files, marked with the letters DL. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size.

Open the dielines files with embroidery software and print them.

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

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the felt on top.

Spray the backside of the front piece dieline with temporary spray adhesive and smooth onto the felt.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Cut out the shape and remove the paper.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Repeat this process for the back fabric piece.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
To prepare the pocket piece, spray the backside of the pocket dieline and smooth it onto the quilter's cotton.

Cut out the shape -- no stabilizer is needed on the pocket fabric.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Spray the backside of the pocket fabric with adhesive and fold in half as shown, wrong sides together and short ends aligned.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
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. Those brands are more fibrous, less paper-like, and will tear more cleanly.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
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 sew will be a dieline, or outline stitch. This marks the area on the stabilizer for the front fabric piece.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Spray the backside of the front felt piece with temporary adhesive.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Place the fabric piece right inside the sewn dieline.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Reattach the hoop onto the machine and continue with the design.

A zigzag or tackdown stitch will sew next. This binds the fabric piece to the stabilizer.

Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
The inner elements will sew next.

On the color change sheet, look for the note that says "pocket tack down."

When you get to this section, stop the machine and remove the hoop from the machine. Do not unhoop the stabilizer.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Spray the corners of the backside of the pocket piece and place it within the dieline (the fold faces up).
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Continue with the design -- a zigzag tack down and satin border will sew next.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
On the color change sheet, look for the note that says "back piece tack down."

When you get to this section, stop the machine and remove the hoop from the machine. Do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Spray the backside of the back fabric piece with adhesive.

Turn the hoop over to the backside, and place the back felt piece inside the shape.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Since both sides of the embroidery will be seen, wind a bobbin with the same thread being used in the needle.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design -- another zigzag tack down will sew, followed by a satin-stitch border.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
When the design has finished, unhoop the stabilizer and carefully tear it away.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Bring the arms together and overlap them slightly. Add a drop of fabric glue and press them in place.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Hold the arms in place until the glue sets. Use a clothespin to hold them in place until the glue dries.

Or, use small velcro circles to make the arms adjustable. Needle and thread can also be used to hand-sew them in place.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
Insert a piece of candy through the arms and into the pocket.
Free project instructions for embroidering a in-the-hoop candy hugger.
These cute critters are a fabulous way to share candy, money, or other small gifts with friends and family!

They're made almost entirely in-the-hoop, and are sure to put a smile on someone's face.

Candy Huggers In-the-Hoop
This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.

Questions or comments? Let us know! Send an email to us; the address is stitch@emblibrary.com.

Products used in this Project:
Bunny Candy Hugger (In-the-Hoop) $3.99

Available in 1 Size:

4.88" x 5.50"
Monkey Candy Hugger (In-the-Hoop) $3.99

Available in 1 Size:

4.89" x 5.76"
Tiger Candy Hugger (In-the-Hoop) $3.99

Available in 1 Size:

4.88" x 5.75"
Cat Candy Hugger (In-the-Hoop) $3.99

Available in 1 Size:

4.88" x 5.98"
Ghost Candy Hugger (In-the-Hoop) $2.99

Available in 1 Size:

4.89" x 5.25"