All Instructions

PUZZLE designs

Easy In-The-Hoop Puzzle Designs

A finished, embroidered felt puzzle with colorful appliqué pieces.

Find more puzzle designs in the Artapli shop!

Important Note

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

Stitching Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Hoop

    Hoop a piece of felt fabric along with a layer of tear-away stabilizer. Attach the hoop to the machine.

    Felt and tear-away stabilizer secured together in an embroidery hoop.

  2. Step 2: Stitch the Appliqué Pieces

    First, embroider the outline of the puzzle pieces.

    Stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Lay your appliqué fabric pieces right inside their corresponding shapes.

    Placing small appliqué fabric pieces inside the stitched outlines.

    It is helpful to use tape to ensure the fabric stays flat while stitching. The next step will be the appliqué tack-down seam.

  3. Step 3: Trim the Appliqué

    After the tack-down has stitched, stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Carefully trim the excess fabric from only the appliqué pieces.

    Trimming the excess fabric from around the appliqué pieces.

    Attach the hoop back on the machine and continue with the rest of the design's decorative stitches.

    The decorative details of the puzzle embroidered onto the appliqué pieces.

  4. Step 4: Add the Backing

    Take the hoop out of the machine, but do not unhoop it. The entire in-the-hoop project is completed in a single hooping.

    The embroidery hoop removed from the machine to work on the back.

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

    A piece of backing felt placed over the back of the hoop.

    Please ensure there is plenty of excess fabric around the perimeter. I am securing the lining with tape.

    The backing felt taped securely in place on one side.

    You can also pin the lining.

    The backing felt pinned securely in place.

  5. Step 5: Final Stitch and Finishing

    Return the hoop to the machine. The final bean stitch outline that creates the puzzle pieces will be the last step.

    The final bean stitch outline being sewn to create the puzzle pieces.

    When the design has finished, remove the tape, unhoop the project, gently tear away the excess stabilizer, and cut out the puzzle pieces along the final stitch lines.

 

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