Small Monogrammed Bag In-the-hoop with Embroidery Digitizing Instruction

March 10, 2023

BY MIKAEL SVENSSON

 

small bag in the hoop digitizing Header image.jpg
There is always room for a small embroidered bag. Make them for all your different items. They also make great personalized gifts! In this project you will learn how to digitize the embroidery design from scratch! The embroidery design and quilting is made in the hoop. The middle panel will be digitized separately, this makes it possible to customize the bag without the need to start from scratch every time, just change the middle panel!

 

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What you need:

  • MySewnet embroidery software, Platinum level
  • Cutaway stabilizer: two pieces 16”x14” (45x35cm)
  • Fabric for bag lining: two pieces 12”x9” (30x23cm)
  • Binding strips inside the bag: Lining fabric 1 strip 2 ½”x 44” (6x110cm)
  • Fabric for center panel: two pieces 9”x5” (23x13cm)
  • Fabric for side panels: four pieces 9”x4” (23x10cm)
  • Foam batting 3mm: 2 pieces 10”x9” (25x23cm)
  • Fabric for binding the top edge: 2 pieces 12”x1” (30x2,5cm)
  • Fusible web for the top binding: 2 pieces 12”x ⅜” (30x1cm)
  • Zipper 12” (30cm), not metal
  • Embroidery thread
  • Quarter inch presser foot

 

Making the bag main part section

1. Open mySewnet embroidery software, select Digitizing

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 1 open embroidery software.JPG

2. In the next window select Start a New Design with no Picture, click Next

small bag in the hoop digitizing step  2 select no picture.JPG

3. In Hoop Selection, click on Change Hoop and select 260mmx200mm - Creative Elite Hoop, Orientation: Rotated. Click OK and then Finish.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step  3 select hoop.JPG

4. Go to Point Create, change Pattern Fill to No Fill and Satin Line to Running Stitch

small bag in the hoop digitizing step  4 point create, no fill running stitch.JPG

5. Click on Create Area or Line, and Bezier Mode. Bezier mode is a help to get smooth curves.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 5 point create bezier mode.JPG

 

Now we will start making the bag outline. The instructions are a bit tricky to follow, but with help from the images it will be easier.


6. Set the first point 1 square up from the base of the grid, three squares in from the right side (Grid size 5mm)

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 6 first point.JPG

7. Set the next point nine squares above the horizontal center line following the vertical line in the grid

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 7 second point.JPG

8. Set the next point one square down from the top on the vertical center line.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 8 third point.JPG

9. Now we will mirror this: set the next point nine squares above the horizontal center line, three squares in from the right side.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 9 fourth point.JPG

10. Place next point one square above the baseline, three squares in from the right side (follow the line from the last point vertically down to one point above the base)

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 10 fifth point.JPG

11. Now it is time to close the design: Make a point one square above the baseline close to the first point we made, then drag in on top of the first point. This will close the design.(The black handles are bezier handles, we will not use them here)

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 11a place last point.JPG

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 11b drag last point.JPG
12. Click on the square point on the top of the design and when holding down the left mouse button drag it to the right, sevent. een squares from the middle, nine squares in from the right side ( you can adjust it if you don't get right the first time) The handle will swing out on both sides simultaneously.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 12 forming the top curve.JPG

13. Unclick Bezier Mode. The stitch line will now be set.The outline is now finished and the most tricky part is done, good job!

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 13 finished outline.JPG

 

To make the bag to a In-the hoop project we must make some color changes and copies of the outline:


14. Click on Color Change, select a red color and then OK. (It is important that all steps get a different color to avoid being merged together if the file gets color sorted by mistake later!)

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 14 color change red.JPG

15. Right click on the Running Stitch in the Filmstrip at the left side and choose Copy. Then right click on the red color and choose Paste. A copy of the running stitch will appear under the red color.


16. Time for the placement stitch for the middle monogrammed panel. Set a point on the lower end of the outline, 11 squares out to the left from the middle line.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 16 first line point.JPG

17. Follow the vertical line and set the next point on the top of the outline. Right click to set the stitches.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 17 setting first line.JPG
18. Repeat on the right side of the vertical center line.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 18 setting the second line.JPG

19. Click on Color Change again and select a green color. Click OK.


20. Now we will make two lines just outside the red vertical lines we just did. Place a line about 2mm (½ square) outside the left line. Repeat on the right side

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 20a setting secure line 1.JPG  small bag in the hoop digitizing step 20b setting second secure line.JPG

We have completed the first part of the project. The file you just created will first stitch out a placement line (the blue color) to show where to place the foam batting. The red color will secure the batting and stitch the placement line for the center fabric panel. When fabric is placed at the center, the green color will secure the center panel to be embroidered. Before we continue we must save the edo file:


Go to File, Save As and save the edo file as Small bag step 1.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step between 18 and 19, save edo file.JPG


Close the digitizing window, the embroidery design will now appear on the home screen. Save the file as Small bag step 1 in the vp4- format.

saving the vp4 file step 1.JPG

 

Digitizing the quilting on the side panels
21. Open the small bag step1 edo file. Select Point Create Area or Line and change color to pink/magenta. Make a line on top of the left red vertical line. This will stitch down the fabric for the left side later .

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 21a securing fabric line left side.JPG
22. Change color to a lighter pink, change the Running Stitch to Triple Stitch

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 22 change to triple stitch.JPG

23. Make three vertical lines three squares apart starting from the left edge of the embroidery file. This will quilt the side panels.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 23 make quilt lines left side.JPG
24. Now we will repeat the process at the right side: change color to a bright orange, set the stitches to running stitches and repeat step 21


25. Change color to a lighter orange and repeat step 22 and 23 on the right side

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 25 repeat on right side.JPG

26. The final step is to make a final running stitch line and zigzag around the edges: Change color to black . Move up in the filmstrip to the blue running stitch we started with. Right click and select Copy


27. Scroll down to the black color and right click on it, select Paste, then click Paste one more time

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 27 running stitch copied.JPG

28. Right click on the last running stitch and choose properties. A dialog box will appear, select motif Line. A new dialog box appears: Under Group: select Husqvarna Viking, under Category: A, Utility Stitches And under Pattern: 3 (zig-zag) Set the Width to 4,5 . Click OK.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 28 motif line settings.JPG


The embroidery design is now finished, we just have to remove the parts that are already saved in part 1:


29. Delete the green, red and blue colors and stitches associated with them. (hold down shift and click on the blue red and green colors and stitches, then right click again and choose Delete.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 29 deleting first step colors.JPG

30. Now it will look like this:

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 30 finished block2.JPG

31. Save the file as small bag step 2.edo

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 31 save as edo file.JPG

32. Close the digitizing program, the main screen will open, save the file as “small bag step 2.vp4”

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 32 save as vp4 file.JPG

 

Making the center panel with monogram
33. Open mySewnet Embroidery. Choose Blank Canvas. Change hoop size to 240mmx150mm, Natural orientation, Click OK

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 33 open embroidery software.JPG

34. Go to Create, Click on Quilt Block When you open the wizard there are several choices. If you click on them there will be an image representing the finished result.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 34 options on quilt block.JPG

35. In the dialog box, choose Filled Quilt Block; Outline Inner Shape. This means we will create a quilt block with an empty shape in the center Click Next

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 35 quilt block inner shape.JPG

36. In the Select Size dialog box, Set the Shape to 2, rectangle. Enter Size: set A to 110mm and B to 190mm Uncheck the Cut Line box, Click Next

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 36 set rectangle size.JPG

37. In the Select Shape dialog box there are a lot of shapes to choose from, but this time choose number 3, the square In the Shape Size box, set the Width and Height to 44mm. If Proportional is selected you only have to fill in one of the measurements, the height and width will be exactly the same Move the square to the upper part of the area, leaving approximately the same area around the top and the sides. Click Next

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 37 set inner square.JPG

38. In the Select Fill Pattern dialog box you can choose from a variety of fill patterns. When you get into the dialog box the stipple pattern will appear. In this case we will click on echo. The pattern changes immediately. If you are not pleased with the outcome, click on Back and move the inner square. Then click on Options

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 38 inner fill of quilt block.JPG

39. In option dialog box choose Triple Stitch, and set Stitch Length to 2mm, click OK

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 39 settings for quilting.JPG

40. The quilt block is finished, now it is time to add a letter in the open area. Click on Finish, then go to letter tab


41. Choose American Gothic 25-75mm, in the Elegant Category. Set the Size to 35mm

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 41 monogram size and style.JPG

42. Type the letter you want into the Letters box. Hold down shift key to get an uppercase letter


43. On the right side of the toolbar, click on Apply

 

44. Move the letter into the open area

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 44 place monogram in design.JPG

45. Go to Home tab, click on Combine, Combine All to combine everything in the hoop.


46. Check that all the colors are shown in the Color Select list.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 46 combine all.JPG

47. To save the design click on File and Save As . This will save a .vp4 file that is fully editable again if you want to continue working with it.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 47 save as vp4.JPG

48. Now you can export the file to your preferred format, do not colorsort!


Tip! Make more center panels with different embroideries, and quilting patterns. Then you can easily make many different small bags!


Putting the embroidery design parts together
49. Open mySewnet embroidery program, select blank canvas and Hoop Size 260x200 mm Rotated orientation

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 49 open file step 1.JPG

50. click Insert and choose small bag file 1.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 50 insert step1.JPG

51. click Insert again and choose your monogram file

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 51 insert monogram panel.JPG

52. click Insert and choose small bag file 2

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 52 insert small bag file 2.JPG

53. Select Combine, Combine All. You are now ready to stitch out the embroidery.export in your preferred format and save on USB stick or send to machine

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 53 combine combine all.JPG

 

Stitching out the bag pieces
54. Hoop cutaway stabilizer in the hoop, Stitch color 1, showing the outline of the bag

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 54 first color stitched out.JPG

55. Place the foam batting on top, covering the lines on all sides. Use masking tape in the corners to keep the batting in place. Stitch out color 2, this will secure the foam batting and show the placement of center panel fabric

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 55 batting added.JPG

56. Place the center panel on top of the guidelines, covering them on both sides.Tape in place with masking tape in the corners. Stitch the next color, this will secure the center panel fabric in place.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 56 secured middle panel.JPG

57. Stitch the next color, the quilting stitches on the center panel.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 57 quilt on middle panel.JPG

58. .. And the next color, the monogram

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 58 .JPG

59. Place the side panel fabric along the left side of the center panel, right sides facing each other, tape in place. Stitch the next color, this will secure the side panel fabric on the left side. Fold out and tape the corners. Stitch next color, the quilting stitches on the left side.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 59a placement of fabric side panel.JPG  small bag in the hoop digitizing step 59b secured side panel fabric.JPG

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 59c side panel folded out.JPG  small bag in the hoop digitizing step 59d side panel quilted.JPG


60. Repeat with the right side panel.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 60 repeat with other side panel.JPG

61 Take the hoop out of the machine, turn the hoop upside down, position the lining fabric piece right side up, covering the embroidery on all sides, tape in place in the corners. Put the hoop back in the machine.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 61 add lining to embroidery.JPG

62. Stitch out the remaining two colors, the outline to secure the lining and the zig zag stitch to compress the edges and make them thinner.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 62 zig zag line around embroidery.JPG

63. Make another bag piece, exactly the same as the first.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 63 make two embroidered designs.jpg

 

Sewing the bag together
64. Prepare the top binding strips: Fuse the fusible web on one long side of each strip.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 64 make edge strips.jpg

65. Stitch the strips along the top edge of the bag pieces using an ¼” (6mm) seam allowance.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 65 edge strip attached before fold.jpg

66. Remove the paper backing and turn the edge over to the wrong side of the bag piece, fuse in place with a hot iron, no steam.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 66 edge strip folded.jpg

67. On the front it will look like this:

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 67 edge strip finished.jpg

68. Stitch the zipper in place close to the binding. Then topstitch using the edge of the presser foot as a guide.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 68 sewing zipper detail.jpg

69. The finished edges will look like this:

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 69 both zipper sides attached.jpg

70. Place the two bag pieces together, right sides facing and stitch them together at the bottom, being careful to match the center panel seams. Use ⅜” (1cm) seam allowance


71. Fold the binding fabric lengthwise and stitch it to the bottom edge Use ⅜” (1cm) seam allowance . On all layers, cut away half of the seam allowance

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 71 seam allowance cut away.jpg

72. Fold the binding edge over and stitch in place.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 72 sewing folded binding.jpg

73. On the sides: Cut away excess fabric and binding on top and bottom. Remember to move the zipper pull to the center of the top, otherwise it will be difficult to turn the bag right side out!

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 73 edge of small bag .jpg

74. Sew together and bind in the same way you did on the bottom of the bag

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 74 binded edges at sides.JPG

75. Fold the corners to make the bottom of the bag. Sew across, 1 ½” (4cm) from the edge. Cut away the extra and bind the edges.

small bag in the hoop digitizing step 75 bottom corners sewn.jpg

76. Turn right side out and press if needed!. You can leave the corners in the bottom as they are, but if you wish you can cut away the excess seam allowances and bind the edges in the same way as the other seams on the inside.

Now you have finished the small bag, congratulations!

 

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