Glitter HTV Alphabets
Glitter HTV Alphabet Tutorial
Watch the full tutorial video here:
Quick Instructions
Full detailed steps with pictures can be found below.
- Position Stitch (Color 1): Stitch the placement line to mark where the HTV will go.
- Remove the clear carrier layer from the HTV.
- Lay the HTV in Place & Tack Down (Color 2 - Optional): Stitch to secure the HTV. For some fonts, use a thread color that matches the glitter (e.g., brass for gold or gray for silver) to avoid puckering.
- Letter Outline & Chenille (Colors 3-5): Stitch the required letter outline (Color 3). Color 4 is an optional underlay to prevent glitter from showing through the chenille; it can be skipped. Color 5 is the final chenille stitching.
- Trim or Tear Edges: Remove the excess HTV from around the letter.
- Final Heat Press: Iron the finished design to ensure the HTV is fully adhered.
Materials and Preparation
These instructions are designed for Glitter HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) rolls for shirts and fabrics, or any other non-adhesive HTV.
Key Notes Before You Start
There are various ways to work with glitter HTV. I recommend stitching the glitter directly onto the garment and ironing it shortly after trimming—before completing the design in the hoop. This prevents the glitter HTV, which can be soft and thin, from tearing or puckering.
Always perform a test on a scrap piece of your specific glitter HTV and fabric to account for variations in material behavior.
Once the design is complete, you may re-iron it. Always use a cover sheet or craft paper to protect your garment and prevent burning the HTV.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Position Stitch
Stitch the placement line (Color 1) on your fabric to mark where the HTV will go.
Step 2: Prepare and Place the HTV
Remove the clear carrier layer from the back of the HTV sheet.
Lay the HTV piece directly over the placement stitch on the fabric. The adhesive backing will help keep it in place during stitching.
Step 3: Tack Down and Outline
Color 2 (Optional Tack-Down): Stitch the tack-down stitch to secure the glitter HTV. For some fonts, the top stitching goes over the glitter area. To achieve the best results, choose a thread color that closely matches the glitter—such as brass for gold glitter or gray for silver. Many stitchers find this step practical, as it helps keep the HTV flat and prevents puckering. While it may slightly reduce the shine, the final result will still look fantastic! This step can be skipped if desired.
Color 3 (Required Outline): This step creates the main letter outline and is a required part of the process.
Step 4: Trim and Iron (Recommended for Dense Fonts)
For chenille or other dense fonts, trimming and ironing the HTV before starting the chenille steps is recommended to prevent the glitter from tearing or puckering. Complete this step directly in the hoop for the best results.
Step 5: Continue Stitching
Proceed with the remaining design steps as usual (Colors 4 and 5).
Color 4 (Optional Underlay): This step is optional and can be skipped. It’s designed to be a different color than the chenille so it can be easily skipped. However, you should stitch it if you want to prevent the glitter HTV from showing through the chenille stitches. Use the same color thread as your final chenille.
Color 5 (Chenille): This is the final decorative stitch.
Step 6: Trim or Tear the Edge
For a clean finish, trimming the excess HTV along the edge is my personal favorite, as it creates a sharper, more defined look. However, tearing the edge is also an option—feel free to experiment and see which method works best for your specific project!
Step 7: Final Heat Press
Once the embroidery is complete and the project is unhooped, press down with your iron or heat press, applying firm pressure to each part of the design for about 10–20 seconds. Adjust the heat and time as needed for your specific type of HTV.
Always cover your garment with a protective sheet, like craft paper, to prevent burning the HTV or the garment.
Your glitter HTV alphabet is now ready to shine!