Adorn pencils, cupcakes, and more with sweet and charming in-the-hoop toppers. Learn how to embroider the eye-catching toppers with our helpful tips and tricks for the absolute best results.
Supplies & Materials:
Project Needs & Notes
- Felt (for front and back of topper)
- Tear-away stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (like Gunold KK100)
- Pencils, skewers, sandwich picks,
- Fabric glue
The design used in this tutorial include:
- X11813, Woodland Owl Topper (In-the-Hoop)
- X11814, Woodland Raccoon Topper (In-the-Hoop)
The design used in this tutorial include:
- X10633, A Funny Farm Toppers (In-the-Hoop) Design Pack
- X12819, A 'Tis the Season Toppers (In-the-Hoop) Design Pack
Gather Materials:
When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.
We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchases made with this link.)
To prepare the front fabric piece, spray the backside of the front piece dieline print out with a quick shot of adhesive and smooth that on top of the fabric; cut out the shape.
Cut out the back fabric piece.
Start Embroidering:
Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Load the full embroidery file and attach the hoop to the machine. Embroider the design. -The first thing to stitch is another dieline.
After the dieline has stitched, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the outer edges of the backside of the front fabric piece with adhesive.
Place the fabric piece right inside the shape.
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design -- a running stitch tackdown will sew next. This will bind the fabric to the stabilizer.
Other elements of the design will sew. Watch for a note on the color change sheet that says "finishing seam". When you reach this step, remove the hoop from the machine and turn it over to the backside.
Spray the outer edges of the backside of the back fabric piece with adhesive and place it right inside the shape on the backside of the embroidery.
For the remaining steps, since both sides of the topper will be seen, I wound a bobbin with the same color I am using in the needle
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue sewing. The finishing seam will stitch next. This binds the back piece to the front piece.
After the design has finished, gently tear away the stabilizer. The dieline will be removed as well.
Get Inspired:
To create a cupcake topper, add a drop of fabric glue to one end of a toothpick (I used sandwich picks), insert it through the opening, and press in place.
Wooden dowels and a bit of ribbon transform these toppers into sweet fairy wands. Great for birthday parties, or toys for kids!
For a pencil topper, insert the eraser end of a pencil through the opening at the bottom edge of the topper.
A Mason jar filled with candy cane adorned with festive toppers brings a crafty look to your Christmas.
