My latest embroidery design is releasing today and it has so many techniques in it. I think for a small project you will love trying all of the different things I have packed into this design. It is the In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper. Lets take a look at it.
The inspiration for this embroidery design started here. I purchased this decorative towel from my local Dollar Tree so it begins with an inexpensive item. Even better, you can cut the towel in half and make two towel toppers.
The towel topper has many different parts. There is a tab that will be used to attach it to your oven or dishwasher handle. The body of the topper has quilting and also notice the nicely hemmed edges. Applique is laid down and then decorative text is sewn. I used a variegated rainbow thread to add to my St. Patrick's Day Theme. Keep in mind that you can be "Lucky" any time of year so this project could be used with plain towels and other fabrics. I see all kinds of cute items in my local stores and the word "Lucky" is sprinkled all over the place.
You can embellish your towel with RicRac and buttons also. I used my sewing machine and a needle and thread for this part of the project. Let your imagination run wild and use up some of those smaller bits and pieces in your stash.
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A 5x7 hoop with tearaway stabilizer is used for the topper portion of the project. Then a second embroidery design is included so you can install the towel inside the topper with wash away cutaway stabilizer. The design sews a placement line that tells you where to place the finished topper and then sews across to secure your towel. If you have a sewing machine you can quickly sew with that instead. Cutting that towel in half reduces the bulk so your embroidery machine foot can handle it.
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One of the neat techniques you will use is creative folding and pressing on the tab. The In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper download includes a graphic you can print out that has instructions for the tab piece of fabric. Hem tape and your iron will morph this fabric into a nice tab with a finished edge and enclosed seam. You won't have to pull out your sewing machine for this part.
Iron on Hem tape will also help you create finished hems on the front and the back of the topper fabrics. It is a nice detail that keeps your project looking professional. It also makes it ready to insert your towel with minimal effort.
Fusible fleece is a fun product used on the front fabric that will give your project a nice quilted look. The appliqued front will give you a chance to do some trimming with your scissors or an SVG cut file is included in the design download that you can use with your cutting machine.
Here is the topper once it has been completed and pressed. All of that happens in your 5x7 embroidery hoop. It is ready for the towel to be slipped into it. You decide how long you want your project to be. So put the towel just inside the topper or move it into the upper area for a shorter finished product.
Here is a view of the second included embroidery design attaching the towel to the topper. Masking tape is used throughout the project to hold your pieces in place while they stitch. Of course if you have a sewing machine and it would be quicker for you to just sew the towel into the topper with a seam across, that is another option.
This view shows the wash away cutaway stabilizer removed and you can see the fabric is damp around that seam line. Marks for the snaps can also be seen in the tab. It is generous in length and you can adjust that with the placement of your snaps depending on where you will be hanging your In The Hoop Lucky Towel Topper.
Once you have finished all of your embellishments, you will have a cute and unique finished product. You can see that this little design has a lot going on. So you will have an opportunity to try different techniques and products. I love having fun and learning while I create.
If you are interested in watching this project come together, I have an instruction video below. It takes you through the entire process so you can follow along as you create your topper. I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you learn and are generous with what you create. Someone will appreciate your hard work.
