arrow_circle_down In the hoop Embroidery - Hints and Tips

 Excited to get started, or learn by watching?   

Click here to Download our Free In the hoop Flower Coaster

Watch this quick 5 minute video showing Step-by-step How to Stitch our Flower Coaster

WHAT MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

• Sharp Scissors
• Stabilisers
• Batting/Wadding/Pellon

SHARP SCISSORS

• As with any Applique, the closer you can trim your fabric, the better the finish
• Everyone has their preference, BUT whatever type of scissors you use, they need to be SHARP!

Click here to read about the type of scissors used for Applique

STABILISERS

Many In the hoop projects use Cutaway or Tearaway Stabiliser, but some recommend Water Soluble Stabiliser 

• The photo on the left has a Satin Stitch edge, so you will use Water Soluble Stabiliser, so no stabiliser shows on the edges
• The Coasters on the right are made so the seams are hidden - you can use tearaway or cutaway

The specific stabiliser you use with be listed in your design Instructions.

WATER SOLUBLE STABILISER

We recommend using two layers of fabric type Water Soluble Stabiliser

Why?  - Two reasons

• We stitch the designs on Water Soluble Stabiliser, so at the end, you can remove all traces of Stabiliser from the edges of the design.  (Just like Free Standing Lace)
• TWO layers of FABRIC TYPE WSS is strong enough to take the cutting out/zig zag and satin stitches without ripping  

Not sure what we mean about Stabilisers, or where you can purchase the correct type? 

 Click here to read further information on Stabilisers

Can you use other Stabiliser? The answer is Yes, you can, BUT I cannot ensure you will get a great stitchout If you use Cut away Stabiliser, you will see the Stabiliser on the edges – not recommended If you use Tear-away Stabiliser, you need to use 2 or 3 layers, so it doesn’t rip at the edges while you are stitching.   You may have more ‘fluffies; on the edges, but you can use a Sharpie Pen to color them in.

BATTING/PELLON/WADDING

Why do you use Pellon in these Designs?

I Love Pellon – I use it in ALL of my Large Appliques and In the hoop Projects because It gives the designs ‘body’, it enhances the Quilting stitches, and I believe it ensures a really ‘neat’ Satin Stitch edge.   The sample above is our In the hoop Floral Coasters- you can see the Quilted look that the Pellon makes.

The pellon I use (we seem to have different names in NZ) is a thin (maybe ¼ inch) polyester or, a slightly thicker iron on pellon (I rarely iron it on)

Can you use other Batting/Wadding/insul-brite for Coasterss?

Yes – I would opt for the thin versions, just to help your machine.

Can I make In the hoop projects without pellon/batting?

Yes you can – once again – you may find the Satin Stitch edging is not quite as crisp,  I would test it first on fabric of similar weight (you’ll only have to test one section, to see if you like it)

The 3D Flower on the right is our 4x4 hoop size - Helen and Sharon from our Kreative Kiwi Group stitched the design on organza without Batting 

FABRICS USED IN IN THE HOOP PROJECTS

Depending on the item you are making, you can pretty much use any fabric.  We tend to use cottons, but I've seen Coasters made with Vinyl, Denim or Satin.

If you do choose to use a fabric other than cotton, I would recommend to do a test sample first - with vinyl or heavy denim you probably won't need any Batting - with Satin, I would recommend pressing an iron on interfacing on the back, to help stop the Satin fraying.

Free Truck Coaster and Skull Coaster made with Vinyls

BACKING FABRICS

This is dependant on the use of the finished product. 

If you are not going to be able to see the back of the finished product ie stitching the design to a Quilt/Bag etc, then you can use any ‘cotton’ fabric.

For reversable Coasters, I have been using a very thin iron-on  Interfacing on the backing fabric – just makes the fabric easier to cut on the back of the hoop, and no threads peeking out of the satin stitch.

 INSTRUCTIONS

EVERY In the Hoop Design File has a PDF with Step-by-step Photos  - When you unzip the files,  please look for the PDF and have a quick read.

CONSTRUCTION

You must Stitch the designs in the correct order – this ensures your design is stitched together correctly

Similarly, Do Not Color Sort our In the hoop designs – We use different Colors in the designs to tell your machine to STOP at a certain points – once again, to ensure the design is joined in the correct order

If your machine shows a different number of colors, or stitches in a different order than our Instructions,  PLEASE RE-DOWNLOAD your files, and transfer to your machine WITHOUT opening in Embroidery Software.      Similarly if your machine has an option to Smart Color Sort, then PLEASE TURN THAT SETTING OFF - These designs MUST STITCH out in the original order we created them.

 The following information will ensure you get a perfect stitch out  

STOP MOVEMENT WITHIN YOUR HOOP

Many of our Large Appliques are quite stitch intensive, so it's important not only to use the correct Stabiliser, but to also minimise any stabiliser movement within the hoop.  In many of my earlier designs, you will see that I have 'tape' around my hoops - There is a reason for this.

Watch Kay's video showing how you can add tape to your hoop, to minimise any chance of your stabiliser moving while you are stitching your design.

How to hoop stabilizer for in the hoop designs and for floating

Hooping With Pins For Good Stabilizer Tension & For Free Standing Lace

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TRIMMING BATTING -  SATIN STITCH EDGE COASTERS/BOOKMARKS

As you are stitching your In the hoop Projects, ensuring you trim both your batting and fabric as close as possible, will ensure your satin stitch edges look smooth, with no fluffy edges.

Kim wrote a blog for our Large Applique designs to help with triming batting - while this blog does go on into joining which is a Large Applique process,  the first part will be helpful if you have trouble trimming your batting for Coasters

Click here to read - How to achieve Perfect Joins - everytime

FINISHING - SATIN STITCH COASTERS/BOOKMARKS WITH WATER SOLUBLE STABILISER

Once you've completed your Coasters, you cut away the excess Water Soluble Stabiliser, but there will still be a small amount of Stabiliser left around the edge.

Generally I do not completely wash out all the Stabiliser – I use a Cotton Bud/Q Tip and warm water to dissolve the Stabiliser on the edges.

If you use a steam iron, or too much water on the edges, because there is still Water Soluble Stabiliser left inside the design, it will shrink up!

All is not lost - Put the item in the washing machine which will remove ALL the Stabiliser, then you'll be abe to press it back to its right shape