Using embroidery to add embellishments to a purchased pattern is an easy way to take that item from ordinary to extraordinary, and all it takes in a few extra minutes and some forethought. If you prefer not to make your own tote from scratch, no worries! This same concept can be applied to purchased items and blanks just as easily.
Click HERE to download printable instructions with additional photos.
Supplies:
- Baby Lock Reflection or other Embroidery Machine (machine with an embroidery field large enough to accommodate the pattern piece to be embellished OR that has alignment tools to facilitate multiple hoopings)
- Project Pattern and all materials listed in the pattern. In this example, the Noura Cosmetic Puch by designer Miko Craft has been used. The free pattern can be found at:
https://youtu.be/dtr3-AYCvI8?si=srQh-_zv0aSAH3UF
All rights and credit for the bag creation and pattern belong to Miko Craft and no other ownership or rights are implied. Please show your support to the creator should you choose to use their project and pattern. - Stabilizer of choice cut to fit in the embroidery hoop that will be used.
- Basic sewing supplies such as scissors, seam rippers, thread, etc.
Instructions:
Project Preparation:
Read through the instructions provided by the pattern to ensure you understand the construction process. This will also allow you to identify which pattern pieces you would like to embellish. In the example, the outer fabric of the pocket was embellished.
Once the pattern piece to be embellished has been identified, use the size of that piece to determine what size hoop you will be using. The hoop should be larger than the pattern piece. (In some cases, you may find that multiple hoopings of the fabric may be required to fully cover the desired area. In this situation, refer to your machine’s Reference and Information Guide for instructions on how to create multiple hoop designs.) Place the fabric and stabilizer in the selected hoop. Load the machine with bobbin thread. Load the hoop onto the machine.
Creating the Design:
Your imagination really is the only limitation when it comes to creating the design to be used in your project. Consider things like the overall size of the project, the scale of design that would work best with the project, the color palette that is being used, and the overall desired style of the project. Take advantage of built-in designs found in your machine, or use purchased designs or designs that you have created yourself. A built-in design that is found in the Baby Lock Reflection.
Once you have determined the design/designs that will be used, open the design and set the design to your workspace. If a single design is used, stitch the design as is. If multiple designs are used, create the desired combined pattern by using tools in your embroidery machine such as the “Add” feature (used to add additional designs to the initially set design), Duplicate” feature (used to create and exact copy of the currently selected design that can then be repositioned into place), or “Repeat” feature (allows the creation of multiple duplicates evenly spaced into columns and rows). Whichever method you choose, once the design is created, stitch using the desired colors.
The goal is to create an embroidered piece of fabric that the pattern piece can be cut from and then used in the bag construction. By creating an oversized embroidery pattern, you will not have to worry about perfectly aligning the design to the pattern piece. Complete the construction of the bag as instructed in the pattern. Enjoy!
For other exciting projects like this one, visit our website at www.babylock.com.
©2025 Baby Lock USA. This project may be freely used by individuals for non-commercial purposes. Project instructions may not be sold or distributed without approval from Baby Lock. Baby Lock must be acknowledged as the source of the project instructions through copyright or online link.
