Embroidery Instructions – Dog with Towel Corner
In-the-Hoop Project
This design is stitched as usual and includes a special step where you add a real towel corner to create the playful effect of the dog chewing on the towel.
Colors
- Stitch Colors 1-4 and stop the machine. These colors stitch the dog design and the placement line for the towel corner.
- Fold the right corner of your towel and place it along the placement line.
- Secure the towel corner with tape so it doesn't shift during stitching.
- Stitch color 5 - it's a tack-down stitch that holds the towel corner in place.
- Remove the tape, then continue stitching to complete the dog design.
Tips
• Do not hoop the towel, just float it on top.
• Make sure you can fold the towel before stitching so the corner looks natural.
• Use tape to keep the towel and its corner from shifting.
• A thin towel works best so the machine can stitch smoothly.
Preparation and Stabilizer
Hoop the stabilizer only. I personally use a medium-weight, nonwoven tear-away stabilizer for this design. Tear-away works great for this project, but you can also use adhesive stabilizer or any stabilizer you prefer, depending on your experience and what works best with your fabric and machine.
Make sure your towel is not too thick. If you're using a home embroidery machine, a thick towel may get caught under the presser foot during stitching.
Helper Stitch Line
This design includes a temporary helper running stitch across the dog's mouth area. It is a simple placement stitch that shows where the folded corner of the towel should go.
You may leave this stitch as is - in many cases, it is barely noticeable since the thread blends into the embroidery.
If you are preparing the item for sale and want a perfect finish, you can carefully remove it after stitching. Since it is only a running stitch, it usually pulls out easily with a few gentle movements.
Link to a video tutorial
How to: Create The Towel Thieves | Instructions - YouTube
Embroidering
Step 1. Stitching the Dog
Float your towel on top of the hoop and secure it with tape or pins to prevent it from shifting.
Stitch colors 1-4.
These steps embroider the dog body and the placement seam where the towel corner will be positioned. After Color 4 finishes, stop the machine.
Step 2. Prepare the Towel Corner
Fold the right corner of your towel diagonally.
Carefully place the folded corner close to the placement line.
NB! Important:
The dog's ears are close to the towel's corner edge, so do not place the folded corner too far past the placement line.
Step 3. Secure the Towel
Use tape to hold the folded corner firmly in place. I used pins.
It's important that the towel does not shift while stitching. Using several pieces of tape works best. I personally use quite a bit of tape and pins to keep everything stable.
Step 4. Stitch the folded corner Seam
Stitch Color 5.
This step secures the towel corner to the embroidery. Once this step is complete, remove the tape.
Step 5. Finish the Design
Continue stitching to complete the dog.
After the embroidery is finished, remove the small placement seam that runs across the dog's mouth area. Carefully cut or pull those stitches so the towel corner becomes free and the dog appears to be holding it naturally.
Final Result
Your dog will appear to be playfully grabbing the real towel corner, creating a fun and realistic effect.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
