How To Make

Gnome towel topper

Gnome Towel Topper In-the-Hoop Tutorial

A finished, embroidered gnome towel topper holding a kitchen towel.

Important Note

You may need to pause the machine and take the hoop out during this project, but please do not unhoop your work! The backing is taped behind the hoop.

Stitching Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Hoop and Stitch the Outline

Hoop only a tear-away stabilizer. I recommend using a double layer, since the design has a high stitch count. Attach the hoop to the machine.

A double layer of tear-away stabilizer secured in an embroidery hoop.

Embroider the placement outline directly onto the stabilizer.

The placement outline for the gnome towel topper stitched onto the stabilizer.

Step 2: Place the Towel and Appliqué Fabric

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop your project. Lay your towel right inside the shape.

There is no straight guideline to show the exact towel position, as its placement is optional.

A towel placed inside the stitched outline on the stabilizer.

It is helpful to use tape or pins to ensure the fabric stays flat while stitching.

You can lay the towel at the bottom, in the center, or at the top of the design. The higher you place it, the more of the design will be inside the towel.

Towel laid in the center (example photos below):

An example of the towel placed in the center of the design.Another example of a center-placed towel.

Towel laid at the top (example photos below):

An example of the towel placed at the top of the design. Another example of a top-placed towel.

Next, lay the white piece of fabric for the gnome's beard over the towel and design area.

A piece of white appliqué fabric placed over the towel for the gnome's beard.

The next stitch will be an outline to tack down the white fabric and keep it flat.

The tack-down stitch for the white appliqué fabric.

Step 3: Complete the Front Embroidery

Do not trim the fabrics yet. Continue with the design elements and complete the rest of the gnome design.

All the decorative embroidery for the gnome has been completed on the front.

Step 4: Add the Backing

Take the hoop out of the machine, but do not unhoop your project yet.

The embroidery hoop removed from the machine. The back of the embroidery hoop, showing the stabilizer and stitches.

Another view of the back of the hoop.

Turn the hoop over to the back side and attach the lining/facing fabric behind the hoop.

A piece of lining fabric placed over the back of the hoop.

Please ensure there is plenty of excess fabric around the perimeter.

The lining fabric covering the entire design area on the back.

I am securing the lining with tape or pins.

Return the hoop to the machine and sew the whole outline and inner outline seams to tack down the lining.

The final tack-down outlines stitched on the back of the project.

A close-up of the tack-down stitches on the lining.

Step 5: Trim and Finish

Now it is time to trim the fabrics and lining on the front.

Trimming the excess appliqué fabric from the front of the gnome.

Also, cut out the shapes of the lining fabric from behind the hoop.

Trimming the excess lining fabric from the back of the project.

The front of the project after all excess fabric has been trimmed.

Attach the hoop back on the machine and continue with the design. The final satin stitch outline will be the last step.

The final satin stitch outline being sewn to finish the edges.

When the design has finished, remove the tape, unhoop, and gently tear away the excess stabilizer.

The completed gnome towel topper, ready to use.

You’re done! Enjoy!

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