All Instructions

Gingerbread Stuffies  Step-by-Step Instructions

Gingerbread Stuffies Step-by-Step Instructions

Create a cozy set of Gingerbread-themed stuffies, perfect for holiday décor, gift toppers, or playful keepsakes! These soft in-the-hoop designs are fun to stitch and easy to finish with just a few supplies. Follow the simple instructions below to complete your set.

A collection of finished gingerbread stuffie ornaments, including a house, star, and gingerbread man.

Materials You'll Need

  • Tear-away stabilizer
  • Two pieces of brown fabric
  • Small pieces of white fabric for the appliqué front details
  • Tape to hold appliqué fabric in place
  • Scissors for trimming

I made all five Gingerbread designs using my largest hoop (8x12 inches), but you will receive each design file separately.

Stitching Instructions

Step 1: Hooping and Outline

Hoop one piece of brown fabric with a layer of tear-away stabilizer. This will be the front side of your gingerbread stuffie.

A piece of brown fabric hooped with stabilizer.

The first step will be stitching the gingerbread outline.

The outline of the gingerbread designs stitched onto the brown fabric.

Step 2: Appliqué Details

Next, embroider the appliqué elements as usual. Start with the fabric position seam. Stop the machine, but do not unhoop.

Place the appliqué fabric neatly inside the stitched shape. It’s helpful to use tape to keep the fabric flat and secure while stitching.

White appliqué fabric taped in place over the placement stitches.

The next step is the fabric tack-down seam. After it has stitched, stop the machine, do not unhoop, and carefully trim the excess appliqué fabric from around the seam.

Trimming the excess white appliqué fabric after the tack-down stitch.

Continue with the remaining embroidery steps in the design.

The decorative embroidery details completed on the gingerbread stuffies.

Step 3: Prepare and Attach the Hanging Ribbon

When all embroidery steps are finished, cut the hanging ribbons. You can use satin ribbon or any other type you prefer.

Cutting a piece of ribbon for the hanging loop.

Tie the ends of the ribbon to secure them.

Tying a knot in the end of the ribbon.

The knotted ribbon loop ready for placement.

Lay the ribbon inside the shape where it will be stitched in place. It’s helpful to use tape to keep it flat and secure.

The ribbon loop taped in place on the gingerbread stuffie.

Step 4: Final Assembly

Place the second piece of brown fabric (the backing) on top, making sure it covers the stitched shape.

The backing fabric placed over the embroidered front.

The next and final stitch will be the gingerbread outline seam.

The final outline stitched through all layers.

Step 5: Finishing

Unhoop the project and carefully cut out the shapes.

Cutting out the finished gingerbread stuffie from the excess fabric.

It’s very important to make small cuts in a few key spots, as shown in the image below.

A diagram showing the important areas to clip on the seam allowance.

Cut around the shape, leaving about a 0.5-inch seam allowance. In the curved areas, make small snips as close to the seam as possible—but be very careful not to cut through the stitches!

Clipping the curves of the seam allowance.

Make additional cuts in the areas marked in the image.

More examples of where to clip the seams.

Tie the ribbon again to make sure it stays securely in place after you finish the project.

Tying the ribbon securely before turning.

Then, turn the gingerbread stuffie right side out through the opening. You can then stuff it and sew the opening closed.

The finished gingerbread stuffies, turned right side out and ready for stuffing.

If anything was unclear or confusing, please feel free to reach out with any questions!

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