constructed in sections in-the-hoop on cut-away mesh stabilizer. structed individually in-the-hoop, this easy Project Halloween Countdown Mansion Create the Halloween season s must-have interactive countdown calendar that adults and children alike will cherish made easy with help of your embroidery machine. Each of the 31 pockets featuring embroidered bats, window décor, cats, and cemetery stones is a spot to tuck a small treat, token, or poem inside. Enjoy from the first day of October through October 31. INCLUDES 43 DESIGNS FOR 4" x 4" HOOPS, 21 DESIGNS FOR 5" x 7" HOOPS. Halloween Countdown Mansion 64 Designs Skill Level: Beginner Clever pockets are In-the-Hoop! 2017 Required Software: Amazing Designs Halloween Countdown Mansion Embroidery Designs (ADL-72) Tuck treats or tokens inside the pockets Simply glue or topstitch pockets together to form the complete wall hanging. Created almost entirely in-the-hoop, this charming Halloween mansion helps count down the days to Halloween. With pockets con- to make calendar is fuss-free. Needed Supplies: Sewing machine and embroidery machine with a 5" x 7" (130 mm x 180 mm) embroidery field or larger 1 yd. black felt fabric (background panels, tokens, and wall hanging back) Two 12" x 18" cuts smoke felt fabric (background panels and tokens) Two 12" x 18" cuts hunter green felt fabric (background panels) One 12" x 18" cut opal felt fabric (pockets and tokens) One 12" x 18" cut maize felt fabric (pockets and tokens) One 9" x 12" cut grape felt fabric (pockets and tokens fabric) One 9" x 12" cut robin s egg felt fabric (background panel & tokens) One 9" x 12" cut silver gray felt fabric (background panels & pockets) One 9" x 12" cut sunburst felt fabric (tokens) One 9" x 12" cut cinnamon felt fabric (tree appliqués) One 9" x 12" cut beach sand felt fabric (pockets, step appliqué, and tokens) One 9" x 12" cut bright red felt fabric (pockets) Rotary cutter, mat, and rulers Cut-away stabilizer, such as No-Show Mesh Cut-away Stabilizer Embroidery needles, size 75/11 Assortment of Madeira Rayon embroidery thread Machine bobbins wound with bobbin thread Optional: Hoop Grip Tape Optional: Comfort Grips Appliqué scissor or craft scissor Thread snips Stencil cutting tool Temporary fabric glue stick Permanent craft/fabric glue All-purpose sewing thread Erasable fabric marking pen or pencil Wonder Clips (jumbo and regular sizes) INCLUDES: Re-color! Re-size! Preview & Print! Approximate Finished Size: 18" x 31¼" Continued on page 2
Read all instructions before beginning. Instructions: 1. Select and prepare felt fabrics Note: Precut the felt into the needed pieces to streamline the embroidery/construction process. Label pieces to more easily keep track of them. Cut from black felt: One 22" x 36" rectangle (backing and rod pocket). One 5¼" x 6½" rectangle (for design #: 134 panel) One 4" x 6¼" rectangle (for design #: 136 panel) One 5¼" x 6½" rectangle (for design #: 137 panel) One 5¼" x 6½" rectangle (for design #: 139 panel) One 4½" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 140 panel) One 4¾" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 142 panel) One 2¼" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 159 token) One 2" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 164 token) Cut from opal felt: Four 3" x 3" squares (for designs #s: 101, 103, 107, and 108 pockets) One 2¾" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 102 pocket) One 2½" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 106 pocket) One 2¼" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 109 pocket) One 2½" x 2½" square (for design #: 110 pocket) One 3" x 3¼" rectangle (for design #: 151 token) One 2" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 153 token) One 2½" x 2½" square (for design #: 155 token) One 2" x 2½" rectangle (for design #: 156 token) One 2" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 162 token) Cut from beach sand felt: Two 2" x 4" rectangles (for designs #: 104 and 105 pockets) One 2" x 3½" rectangle (for design #: 111 pocket) One 1½" x 3½" rectangle (for design #: 112 pocket) One 1¾" x 4¼" rectangle (for design #: 113 pocket) One 1¼" x 4½" rectangle (for design #: 138 step appliqué) One 2" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 163 token) Cut from maize felt: Two 2¼" x 3¼" rectangles (for designs #: 114 and 115 pockets) One 3¼" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 118 pocket) Two 2½" x 3" rectangles (for designs #: 120 and 121 pockets) One 2½" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 122 pocket) One 2¼" x 2¾" rectangle (for design #: 123 pocket) One 3" x 3¾" rectangle (for design #: 124 pocket) One 2¼" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 126 pocket) One 2¼" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 127 pocket) One 1" x 1" square (for design #: 161 token) Cut from purple felt: One 2½" x 3¾" rectangle (for design #: 125 pocket) One 2¾" x 5" rectangle (for design #: 128 pocket) One 3¼" x 6¼" rectangle (for design #: 129 pocket) One 2½" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 158 token) Cut from silver gray felt: One 3¼" x 4½" rectangle (for design #: 130 pocket) One 4¾" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 148 moon) Cut from red felt: One 2½" x 4¼" rectangle (for design #: 116 pocket) Two 2" x 4" rectangles (for designs #: 117 and 119 pockets) Cut from green felt: One 5¼" x 6½" rectangle (for design #: 131 panel) One 5¾" x 6¾" rectangle (for design #: 132 panel) One 5¼" x 6½" rectangle (for design #: 133 panel) One 5¼" x 7¼" rectangle (for design #: 134 panel) One 5¼" x 5¼" square (for design #: 135 panel) One 5¼" x 7¼" rectangle (for design #: 136 panel) Cut from cinnamon felt: One 2" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 134 tree appliqué) One 1½" x 2" rectangle (for design #: 136 tree appliqué) One 2½" x 5" rectangle (for design #: 137 tree appliqué) One 2½" x 3½" rectangle (for design #: 139 tree appliqué) Cut from smoke felt: One 1½" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 137 panel) One 5¼" x 7¼" rectangle (for design #: 138 panel) One 1½" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 139 panel) One 4" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 140 panel) One 3¼" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 141 panel) One 3¾" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 142 panel) One 6¼" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 143 panel) One 5¼" x 5½" rectangle (for design #: 144 panel) One 5" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 145 panel) One 3½" x 4" rectangle (for design #: 146 panel) One 4¾" x 5¼" rectangle (for design #: 147 panel) One 4¼" x 5¾" rectangle (for design #: 148 panel) One 4½" x 7" rectangle (for design #: 149 panel) One 2" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 157 token) One 2" x 2¼" rectangle (for designs #: 160 token) Cut from robin s egg felt: One 4½" x 3" rectangle (for design #: 148 moon) One 4½" x 5½" rectangle (for design #: 150 panel) Cut from sunburst felt: One 2" x 2" square (for designs #: 152 token) One 2" x 2¼" rectangle (for designs #: 154 token) One 1½" x 1½" square (for designs #: 161 token) 2. Set up the sewing/embroidery machine and embroidery unit: Insert a new embroidery needle, size 75/11. Attach the embroidery unit to your machine. Hoop one layer of Cut-away No-show Mesh Stabilizer in 5" x 7" (130 mm x 180 mm) machine embroidery hoop. 2
Tip: To prevent stabilizer from shifting in the hoop use Hoop Grip Tape. Place Hoop Grip Tape on the outer edges of the inner hoop. Remove the yellow protective backing on the tape to expose the adhesive. Place the sticky adhesive side on the outside of the inner hoop. The other side of the tape has a rubberized finish and creates just the right amount of grip to prevent shifting of the single layer of hooped stabilizer during stitching. Detach hoop from embroidery unit. Do Not unhoop project at this time. Trim away the excess fabric a scant 1/8" outside the previously stitched basting line. Tighten the hoop s tension screws. Tip: Use Comfort Grips on the hoop screws. They allow you to get a tighter grip on the screws, and work especially well for arthritic fingers. Embroider Colors 3 7 to complete the pocket details. Note: Designs # HCM101, 103, 131, 134, and 138 are featured in the following steps. 3. Embroider Halloween Countdown Mansion Pocket Sections: Import and select appliqué embroidery design #101: Embroider thread Color 1 of Design #101, for grave stone placement outline. Remove project from hoop. Carefully cut away the excess stabilizer using a stencil cutting tool. Repeat this process to complete all the pocket designs #101 130. To efficiently use stabilizer, embroider two or more designs in one hooping. Note: The photos use dark thread in several steps for visibility; please follow the color sequence charts or choose a thread color that coordinates with your felt/fabric color. Place opal felt pocket front over placement outline stitched on the stabilizer, right side up. The fabric must cover the stitching lines. 4. Embroider Halloween Countdown Mansion Panel Sections: Note: Pockets will be identified by their embroidered numbers throughout the remaining instructions. Embroider the next stitching sequence, thread Color 2, to baste down pocket fabric. Import and select desired appliqué embroidery design #131: Pocket 1 and 3 will be attached to this panel. Embroider thread Color 1 of Design #131, for panel placement outline. 3
Note: The photos use lighter thread in several steps for visibility; please follow the color sequence charts or choose a thread color that coordinates with your felt/fabric color. Place green felt panel over placement outline stitched on the stabilizer, right side up. The fabric must cover the stitching lines. Embroider Color 5 to stitch Pocket 1 in place along the inner edge of the pocket satin stitching. Try to stitch very slowly so you can make small adjustments to the pocket position, if needed. Embroider Colors 6 8 to position and attach pocket 3. Embroider the next stitching sequence, thread Color 2, to baste down panel fabric. Embroider Colors 9 11 to complete the panel details. Colors 3 and 4 stitch to indicate the pocket number and position of its placement. Detach hoop from embroidery unit. DO NOT unhoop the stabilizer at this time. Trim away the excess panel fabric a scant 1/8" outside the basted sides that will be covered with satin stitching. The side or sides that are not satin stitched may be trimmed a little more generously for glue tab extensions. Apply a bit of fabric glue stick along the inside of the pocket placement line. Reattach the hoop to the embroidery unit and complete following the color sequence chart. Remove project from hoop. Place Pocket 1 on the felt panel, covering the placement line. 4
Carefully cut away the excess stabilizer using a stencil cutting tool. Color 3 stitches the tree appliqué placement outline. Repeat this process to complete panel designs #:132, 133, 135, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 149, and 150. 1. 5. 1. Embroider Halloween Countdown Mansion panel designs #:134, 136, 137, 139, 140, 142, and 148 feature additional appliqué details: Note: Design #134 is featured in the following steps: Import and select appliqué embroidery design #134: Pocket 2 will be attached to this panel. Embroider thread Color 1 of Design #134, for panel placement outline. Place cinnamon felt rectangle over placement outline stitched on the felt/stabilizer, right side up. The fabric must cover the stitching lines. Embroider the next stitching sequence, thread Color 4, to baste down felt fabric. Note: Photos use lighter thread in several steps for visibility; please follow the color sequence charts or choose a thread color that coordinates with your felt/fabric color. Place black felt panel over placement outline stitched on the stabilizer, right side up. The fabric must cover the stitching lines. Trim along the basting line. Embroider Color 5 for tree details. Embroider the next stitching sequence, thread Color 2, to baste down panel fabric. Stitch Color 6 and 7 to position and baste the green felt to the panel. Trim along the curved basting line. 5
Trim green felt along curved line of stitching. Note: You may need to raise the height of the embroidery foot to accommodate the multiple layers of felt and stabilizer without catching the pocket front edges. Detach hoop from embroidery unit. Do not unhoop project at this time. Trim away the excess panel fabric a scant 1/8 outside the basted sides that will be covered with satin stitching. The side or sides not satin stitched may be trimmed a little more generously for glue tab extensions. Embroider Colors 8 12 to complete panel details. Embroider Colors 13 and 14 for pocket number and placement outline. Embroider Colors 16 19 to complete the panel. Apply a bit of fabric glue stick along the inside of the pocket placement line. Remove project from hoop. Carefully cut away the excess stabilizer using a stencil cutting tool. Note: You may need to raise the height of the embroidery foot to accommodate the multiple layers of felt and stabilizer without catching the pocket front edges. Note: Design #138 additional appliqué is featured in the following steps: Import and select appliqué embroidery design #138: Pockets 14, 15, and 16 will be attached to this panel. Embroider thread Color 1 of Design #138, for panel placement outline. Place Pocket 2 on the felt panel, covering the placement line. Embroider Color 15 to stitch the pocket in place along the inner edge of the pocket satin stitching. Try to stitch very slowly so you can make small adjustments to the pocket position, if needed. Note: Photos use darker and lighter threads in several steps for visibility; please follow the color sequence charts or choose a thread color that coordinates with your felt/ fabric color. Place smoke felt panel over placement outline stitched on the stabilizer, right side up. The fabric must cover the stitching lines. 6
Embroider the next stitching sequence, thread Color 2, to baste down panel fabric. Apply a bit of fabric glue stick along the inside of the pocket placement line. Colors 3 and 4 stitch pocket number and placement outline for Pocket 14. - Place Pocket 16 on the felt panel, covering the placement line. Apply a bit of fabric glue stick along the inside of the pocket placement line. Slowly embroider Color 8 to stitch the pocket in place. The stitching should run along the inner edge of the pocket satin stitching. Place Pocket 14 on the felt panel, covering the placement line. Colors 9 and 10 stitch pocket number and placement outline for Pocket 15. Slowly embroider Color 5 to stitch the pocket in place. The stitching should run along the inner edge of the pocket satin stitching. Apply a bit of fabric glue stick along the inside of the pocket placement line. Colors 6 and 7 stitch pocket number and placement outline for Pocket 16. Place Pocket 15 on the felt panel, covering the placement line. 7
Slowly embroider Color 11 to stitch the pocket in place. The stitching should run along the inner edge of the pocket satin stitching. Repeat this process to add additional appliqué detail to panel designs # 134, 136, 137, 139, 140, 142, and 148. 1. 6. 1. 6. Assemble the Halloween Countdown Mansion: Arrange the panel sections into rows, in numerical order as shown, graveyard to moon: Trim away the excess panel fabric a scant 1/8" outside the basted sides that will be covered with satin stitching. The side or sides that will not satin stitched may be trimmed a little more generously for glue tab extensions. Stitch Color 12 and 13 to position and baste the beach sand felt to the panel. Trim along the basting line. Note: you may need to raise the height of the embroidery foot to accommodate the multiple layers of felt and stabilizer without catching the pocket front edges. Embroider Colors 14 15 to complete the panel. Row 1: Design 131, 132, and 133 Row 2: Design 134, 135, and 136 Row 3: Design 137, 138, and 139 Row 4: Design 140, 141, and 142 Row 5: Design 143, 144, and 145 Row 6: Design 146, 147, and 148 Row 7: Design 149 and 150 Using permanent craft/fabric glue, glue the pocket sections together, attaching pocket extensions to the under side of the adjacent embroidered satin stitch pocket edge. Note: You may find it helpful to place a long ruler along the lower edge of the pocket rows as you glue them together to keep them aligned and create a straight row. Join Row 1 panels: Apply glue to side tab extension of panel 131. Remove project from hoop. Carefully cut away the excess stabilizer using a stencil cutting tool. 8
Align satin stitched edge of panel 132 over vertical stitching of 131, secure layers together with Wonder Clips. Position panel 141 over the two glued tab extensions and Wonder Clip together. Remove the Row 3, used for positioning. Allow glue to dry completely. Repeat, apply glue to side tab extension of panel 133; then position, align, and clip to opposite side of panel 132. Allow to dry completely. Note: Remove the Wonder Clips after about 10 15 minutes to prevent pressure damage to the embroidery. Join Rows 2, 3, 5, and 6 in same manner, allowing glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Row 7 needs to be custom fit to ensure that the moon aligns with Row 6: Position and Jumbo Wonder Clip panel 150 along the upper edge of Row 6, making certain that the satin stitched curves of the moon align as closely as possible. Row 4 needs to be custom fit to ensure that tree tops and house sides align with Row 3: Position and Jumbo Wonder Clip panels 140 and 142 along the upper edge of Row 3, making certain that the satin stitched house sides and embroidered trees align as closely as possible. Position and Jumbo Wonder Clip panel 149 along the upper edge of Row 6, centering the lower edge of the roof over the house panel in Row 6. Apply glue to the vertical tab extensions of the two panels. 9
Apply glue to the slanting tab extension of the moon panel. Position Row 2 s lower satin stitched edge over the glue. Align the satin stitched edge to just cover the row of stitching in Row 1 s tab extension. No stitching in the tab extension should show. Allow glue to dry completely. Smooth roof panel over the glued tab extension and Wonder Clip the seam. Remove Row 7, used for positioning. Allow glue to dry completely. Repeat, adding each row to build the Halloween Countdown Mansion. Arrange all completed rows. On a cutting surface, cut one 4" x 22" strip from one end of the backing felt. Attach Rows 1 7 together: Beginning with Row 1. Run a line of glue along the entire length of the upper tab extension. 10
Place the Halloween Mansion on the felt backing rectangle and pin mansion in place. Stitch along each horizontal row seam except the seam between rows 6 and 7. Lock stitches at the beginning and end of each stitching line. Roughly trim away excess felt backing. Set up sewing machine for a straight stitch. Match the thread color as closely as possible to the pocket backing colors, so the stitching blends in with the felt. Stitch along the lower satin stitched edges of the rows of pockets, securing the mansion to the backing. Add a rod pocket: Place two pins, marking the outer points of the seam between panels 6 and 7, in the backing felt. Turn the project to the backing side. Using an erasable fabric marking pen or pencil, draw a line connecting the two pin marks. 11
Draw a second line 1" above the first. Bring the rod pocket strip toward the upper edge of the wall hanging, maintaining a fold approximately ½" above the first drawn line on the backing felt. Position the rod pocket strip, aligning the upper long edge of the strip with the upper drawn line, on the backing. Pin the long, free edge to the backing. Pin in place. Stitch ½" in along the pinned edge. Begin and end stitching approximately ½" in from what would be the front edges of the Halloween Mansion. Take care to not stitch into the mansion. Stitch ¼" in from the pinned edge. Take care to not stitch into the mansion. Trim the extending ends of the rod pocket even with the roughly trimmed backing edges. Fold back the backing/rod pocket area to expose the bobbin side of the mansion. 12
Glue inside the satin stitched edges of Halloween Mansion to the backing and Wonder Clip. Allow glue to dry completely. 1. 7. 1. Embroider tokens to add to the fun of counting down to Halloween: Import and select desired appliqué embroidery designs #151 164: Embroider and cut out following the same steps detailed for the pocket designs. Use the tokens to track each day approaching Halloween. Carefully trim away all excess backing fabric. 1. 8. 2. Create haunting ornaments using token designs: Embroider each token design and its mirror-image. To ensure that the rod pocket does not show, smooth the rod pocket up toward the upper edge of the wall hanging. Pin if needed. Note: For design #156, remember to skip Color 4 when embroidering the mirror-image, otherwise the words will be backwards. Re-trim only the rod pocket, just inside the final cut edges of the wall hanging. Carefully cut away the excess stabilizer using a stencil cutting tool. Cut one 4" length of 1/8" wide ribbon for each ornament. Glue the ribbon to the upper edge, bobbin side, of one ornament; forming a loop. 13
Apply glue near the outer perimeter of the ornament. Or, print out several of the blank scroll pages to write your own poem or messages. (See page 19) Cut apart into smaller pages, following the broken lines. Place the remaining ornament half, bobbin side to glue, aligning all edges. Cut one 5" length of 1/8" wide ribbon for each day s page. Roll Page One (for Day 1), tie with a ribbon, and tuck into the matching numbered pocket (Pocket 1). Wonder Clip edges. Allow glue to dry completely. Create an entire set of haunting ornaments. Each pocket has a part of the Halloween poem. 1. 9. 3. Print out a Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem: Print out the poem PDF sheets, see page 15 18. Or, tuck small treats to make your loved ones Halloween countdown extra special! Print the Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem found on pages 15 18 Or, print out several of the blank scroll pages to write your own poem or messages. (See page 19) 14
Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem, page 1 of 4 15
Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem, page 2 of 4 16
Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem, page 3 of 4 17
Halloween Countdown Mansion Poem, page 4 of 4 18
Blank Scroll Pages to write your own poem or messages 19
Fill pockets with rolled up poems for the countdown to Halloween Embroidery a set of haunting ornaments to tuck into pockets Or, fill pockets with sweet treats. For other exciting projects like this one, visit our website at www.amazingdesigns.com