How To Make

Sloth Towel hanging hole in the hoop

Sloth Towel Topper In-the-Hoop Tutorial

A finished, embroidered sloth towel topper hanging on 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 sloth towel topper stitched onto the stabilizer.

Step 2: Place the Towel and Appliqué Fabrics

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 stitched onto 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 sloth's face over the towel and design area.

The next stitch will be an outline to tack down the white fabric and create the placement seam for the sloth's body appliqué.

A white appliqué fabric for the face is placed over the towel, and the body placement line is stitched.

Lay the sloth body fabric right inside the shape and tack it down with the next color seam.

The main body appliqué fabric for the sloth is tacked down.

Step 3: Complete the Front Embroidery

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

All the decorative embroidery for the sloth 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.

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

The back of the hoop, showing the stabilizer and stitches.

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

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

Secure the lining with tape or pins.

The lining fabric taped securely in place on the back.

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

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

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 sloth.

Also, cut out the hanging hole shape from the lining fabric behind the hoop.

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

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.

You’re done! Enjoy!

The completed sloth towel topper, ready to use.

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