How to Make an In-the-Hoop Bookmark

Whether you're a reader, or know someone who is, in-the-hoop bookmarks are a fast and easy project for gifts, craft fairs, and more. Follow along with the steps below to learn how you can make your own using one of our downloadable in-the-hoop bookmark machine embroidery design files.

In-the-hoop bookmarks can be made using simple supplies that most home machine embroiderers will have on hand, including fabric, spray adhesive, thread, and tearaway stabilizer.

When you download an in-the-hoop bookmark design, you will find multiple files. Some are the embroidery files, and the others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery softwear. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines. 

Spray a piece of cutaway stabilzier with temporary spray adhesive (such as Gunold KK100), then smooth the fabric for the front of the bookmark on top. 

Spray the backside of the printed dieline with a small amout of temoprary adehesive and smooth it on top of the fabric and stabilizer.

Cut out the shape.

Repeat the above step to cut out a back piece for the bookmark. 

Hoop the tear away stabilizer. 

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the emboridery design (not the dieline). Embroider the design. The first thing to stitch is an outline that traces the shape for the front fabric piece. 

Spray the back side of the front piece with temporary spray adhesive. Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the staiblizer. Then place the front piece within the shape of the dieline. 

Return the hoop to the machine. The next thing to stitch will be the tackdown stitch. This will hold the front piece in place during the rest of the embroidery. 

Follow the color change sheet to sew out the design. Stop before the back piece tack down step. 

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Turn the hoop over so the back side is facing up. Spray the back side of the backpiece with temporary spray adhesive and place within the shape on the back. 

Since the remaining stitches will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin with the same color thread that you are using in the needle. Place the matching bobbin into the machine. 

Return the hoop to the machine and continue emboridering the design. The next step to stitch out will be another zig-zag border to attach the back and front pieces together. 

After the backpiece tackdown sews, a satin boarder will finish the edges of the bookmark. 

After the satin boarder has finished sewing out, carefully remove the bookmark from the stabilzier.