How to Make an In the Hoop Santa Purse with Cuddle® Fabric

Hi, I’m Reen, a Shannon Fabrics Brand Ambassador and owner of Embroidery Garden! My In the Hoop Santa Purse makes the perfect accessory for anyone during the holiday season, and the luxurious Cuddle® fabrics nicely mimic Santa’s appearance.

While any combination of Cuddle® fabric will work, I’ve found Luxe Cuddle® Hide in Cardinal and Luxe Cuddle® Dazzle in Snow/Silver are the ideal combination to use on this project.

Let's get started!

In the Hoop Santa Purse Recommended Fabrics and Notions

These products and fabrics can be substituted for whatever works best for you, but here is what I recommend for making an In the Hoop Santa Purse:

• Santa Purse file
• 5x7 or larger embroidery hoop
• Fabric per the instructions included with the purse file (Cuddle® was used for the main outer fabrics and cotton was used for the lining)
• Serrated scissors or the Olfa Craft Knife are perfect for cutting higher loft Cuddle®
• Quilters Dream Poly was used for the batting
• Embroidery thread
• Zipper
• 80/12 SCHMETZ embroidery needle
• Plastic film type of water-soluble stabilizer
• By Annie’s Stiletto for fluffing up the fibers and to aid in the stitching
• Gold hardware and faux leather for making a strap
• Tape to hold fabrics in place
• Optional: 3” circle of Luxe Cuddle® Dazzle in snow/silver to make the pompom
• Optional: A small amount of Fairfield Poly-Fil to stuff the pompom

How to Make an In the Hoop Santa Purse with Cuddle® Fabric

Using Cuddle® for in the hoop designs is fun and easy. It will require that you tape or pin the fabric in place to prevent any shifting. If you find that the embroidery foot drags a little, simply raise the foot height in your machine’s settings.

Stitching the purse

Stitch the purse following the included instructions, and make sure to tape the Cuddle® fabrics in place well. While the machine is stitching you can use the tip of the stiletto to carefully help hold fabric in place. Keep the tip away from the needle.

When the embroidery starts for the face and beard details, it’s important to place a piece of the water-soluble stabilizer over the area and pin it in place. This helps to keep the stitches from sinking into the pile of the Cuddle®.

Underlay stitching also helps hold the fibers of the higher loft fabric down to create a smooth surface for the embroidery stitches. 

Once the facial features are finished stitching, simply tear the stabilizer from around the edges. Use the stiletto to fluff the Cuddle® around the satin stitching.

Continue stitching the design following the instructions. Don’t worry, the zipper will be fine nestled between that beautiful cardinal color Luxe Cuddle® Hide. In the end it will basically be invisible, adding to the overall look of the finished purse.

Once the purse is finished stitching, trimmed and turned to the right side, you’ll need to use the stiletto to fluff the fibers from the seam allowances. The first photo below shows the area that needs fluffing, and the next photo is after fluffing. Be sure to fluff around the outside edges of the purse also.

To make a pompom to attach to the zipper pull, hand baste close to the edge of the Luxe Cuddle® Dazzle circle with a needle and long length of doubled thread. Add the fiber fill to the inside and pull the stitches tightly.

Knot securely, but don’t cut the thread. Insert the needle through the hole in the zipper pull, and go around it several times before securely knotting the thread and hiding the tail inside the pompom.

Add the strap with hardware, and you’re ready to join in the holiday festivities sporting your new Santa purse!

You can follow Embroidery Garden on Facebook and Instagram to see more projects I have stitched using Cuddle® fabrics.

—RW

If you have any questions about Cuddle® minky plush fabrics or any of our Cuddle® Kits, feel free to contact our friendly, no-pressure customer service team at 866-624-5252.

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