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Heirloom Applique Ornaments
(In-the-Hoop)

Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop trivet.

Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments

Make the holiday season warm and cozy with these in-the-hoop ornaments! Cute patchwork details and an heirloom stitch edge create classic charm that will be treasured year after year. Follow these step-by-step instructions to stitch your own!
 

Project Needs & Notes:

- Small pieces of quilter's cotton (one fabric for each applique color)
- Tear away stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (such as Gunold KK100)
- Ribbon for hanger, if applicable

Design featured in this tutorial is:
- X14357, Heirloom Applique Snowflake Ornament (In-the-Hoop)
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
This in-the-hoop design has three files. One is a full 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. Certain heirloom quilt ornaments may have more or fewer dielines.

Open each dieline file with an embroidery software, and print it. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom TrueSizer is a free program to use.

Print five copies of the front dieline file. This will allow you to have all the paper dielines separate from one another, and make them easy to use.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Make sure to print five copies of the front dielines, so each can be cut separate from the others.

Spray the back side of the paper dieline for the main front piece with temporary adhesive. Then smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Cut out the shape. Then repeat to cut out all the front applique pieces and the back piece.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
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 to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the full embroidery file (not the dieline).

Use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle rather than an embroidery needle. The sharp sewing needle has a finer point, and will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be the "front dieline". This will mark the area on the stabilizer where the front fabric piece is to be placed.

Not all heirloom quilt ornaments have the same shape. Follow the color change sheet for your specific ornament to know when to place your fabric pieces.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back of the front piece with temporary adhesive, and smooth it into place inside of the sewn dieline.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Then attach the hoop back onto the machine, and sew the "front piece tackdown" which will hold that fabric piece in place.

Next, embroider the "inner square dieline" on top of the fabric.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Remove the hoop without unhooping the stabilizer again. Spray the back side of the inner square with temporary adhesive, and smooth it into place inside of the sewn dieline.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Then embroider the "inner square tackdown" to hold the fabric in place. Next, embroider the "star dieline" on top of the inner square.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Place the "star" fabric piece, and then embroider the "star tackdown" to stitch it into place.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Follow the color change sheet, and repeat to add the rest of the applique pieces. Make sure to stop and place the correct fabric piece before sewing each tackdown step.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Once all the front fabric pieces are in place, the inner details will embroider.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Stop the machine before sewing the "finishing seam". Remove the hoop without unhooping the stabilizer, and flip the hoop over so the back side is facing up.

To add a hanger for the ornament, cut a piece of ribbon 7" long. Fold it into a loop, and tape it in place on the back of the embroidery with the raw edges inside of the shape.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Then spray the back of the back fabric piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it into place on the back side of the embroidery.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
As the embroidery for the "finishing seam" will be seen on both sides of the ornament, wind a bobbin with the same thread that is being used in the top needle.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Place the bobbin into the sewing machine, and embroider the "finishing seam" step.
Free project instructions to create In-the-Hoop Heirloom Quilt Ornaments
Once the embroidery is finished, tear away the excess stabilizer from around the ornament.
Heirloom Quilt Ornaments (In-the-Hoop)

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Products used in this Project: