In the Hoop Project - Applique Banner

In the Hoop Project - Applique Banner

Once you learn how to make your own applique banner you'll never purchase a banner again.

(Ok, so you might for the rare occasion, but it's truly so simple). I also love how you can customize size and fabric for each customer.  The possibilities are endless!  Pair it with a frame, a monogram, a full name, a birthday design for a high chair - you name it, you can make it with this design. It’s also so easy and a show stopper to boot! I can’t wait to see what you’ll make with this!

What you'll need: 

  • This design!
  • Fabric – enough for the front and back of the banner, with Heat and Bond Lite ironed on the underside of the fabric. I find that small patterns or solids work best
    for this - and it’s fun to do the back of the banner a complimentary different fabric!
  • Sheet of white craft foam OR white stiff craft felt – your choice here, I lean towards felt on this one for the sturdiness/bulk) but it’s up to you!
  • If you're going to float this project, something to float it on - sulky sticky is my favorite product.
  •  Sharp scissors (all the scissors - applique, fabric cutting, rotary blade, and exacto knife)
  • Iron 
  • Spray adhesive

*note: there are so many methods for doing projects like this, so disclaimer - there is no one perfect method!  You'll find your own favorites as you go.  Play around and see what you like best - there is no wrong way to do this!

Let's get started!

  • Step 1: Float or hoop your felt on your embroidery machine. If I float, then I clamp it within an inch of it’s life! If you’ve got magnetic hoops, or prefer a traditional hoop - then this project just got easier, directly hoop the felt/foam and pop it on the machine!
  • Step 2: Run the placement stitch around the project.
  • Step 3: Spray your fabric lightly with adhesive spray, and then place your fabric (Heat and Bond Lite side down) on top of your felt/foam. Clamp these layers together!
  • Step 4: Run the tack-down stitch. 

    *note - if you're just stitching the plain single layer banner, skip to step 5!*

  • Step 5: Run the placement stitch for the accent fabric.  This will be the smaller banner shape!
  • Step 6: Place your fabric (Heat and Bond Lite side down) on the banner and clamp/pin/sewtite the layers together.
  • Step 7: Run the tack-down stitch for the accent fabric.
  • Step 5: Now is the time to personalize! Add a name or phrase or design or Bible verse here!

    The bean stitch for the accent fabric will run now, and it’s a good idea to wait and trim your accent fabric until AFTER your bean stitch outline has ran.

    also!  If you're stitching the designs with the cross or birthday cake or back to school designs, those designs will stitch now!
  • Step 6: TRCKY PART! Grab your background fabric again and slide it (Heat and Bond Lite side UP!) between your hoop and the bed/arm of your embroidery machine. I like to take my hoop off the machine first and spray the fabric lightly with adhesive spray and stick it to the back side of my project to help keep the backing fabric from sliding around. You can also add binder clips, fabric clips, or sew tites to help hold it in place!  Run the last applique step. 


  • Step 8: Run your the bean stitch outline around the whole project! The design is programmed to add the button holes here for your ribbon or string, and it’s important that they run now so they can go through both the top fabric, the bottom fabric, and the felt/foam.

  • Step 9: Pop your whole project out of the frame and trim! I use a quilting ruler with a ¼ inch line and a rotary cutter to make sharp, clean sides on this project. 

  • Step 10: Use an exacto blade to slice through the button holes and run your ribbon through.

  • Tie a pretty bow and....Done!

There are so many ways to make this unique, custom, and fun! 

I love that you can customize the fabric to match your customer's vision (or yours!).  There are a few tips that I think make this even more fun: 

  • Pick one color for your thread - my favorite machine to do this on is my single needle, and even when I use my multi-needle I change all of the thread colors to the same thread so it will stitch quickly.  
  • Don't skimp on ironing with this project.  I try to make sure my fabric is as crisp as possible before I put the heat and bond lite on the back, and then I press it before I use the rotary cutter and after I finish cutting!  
  • You can hang this with a bow on each side or a single bow in the middle!  Play around with this (multiple ribbons, ribbons with tails, etc) until you find a style that's all you!

Hope this helps!

Beth

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