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Leprechaun Towel Topper

Towels with embroidered toppers can make a beautiful gift, or add a delightful holiday touch to your kitchen or bathroom. Best of all, this project will take you no longer than an hour. This project uses the design Leprechaun, and is great for St. Patrick's day.

Step One: Hoop white or light cream polyester felt with a layer of cut-away stablizer. Embroider the design.

Step Two: Take the embroidery out of the hoop. With a thin graphic pencil, or disappearing fabric marker, draw an outline 1/2" from the edge of embroidery. Leave a margin of 4"-5" beyond the bottom edge of the embroidery.

Step Three: Cut away the excess fabric along the marked lines. Place the piece over another piece of felt and use it as a template to cut out an identically shaped piece. This will be the back of the towel topper. We made it out of white felt as well, but you can use any color you like. Green looks great.

Step Four: Place the two parts face to face. Align all the edges and pin together.

Step Five: Stitch the parts together 1/4" from the edge. Start and finish in the points marked with Xs on the picture above.

Step Six: Cut a piece of Velcro tape slightly shorter than the embroidered piece is wide. Open the tape and stitch one half to the back of the embroidered piece, about 2" from the embroidery.

Step Seven: Turn the piece out and fill it with stuffing.

Step Eight: Top-stitch along the lower edge of the embroidery.

Step Nine: Out of green fabric, make a "skirt" 4-5 inches long. Place it over the working piece face inwards. Stitch 1/4" from the edge along the bottom of the embroidery.

Step Nine: Make pleats on the towel and pin them in place. The pleated edge of the towel should be as long as the second piece of Velcro.
Topstitch the Velcro tape to the pleated edge of the towel.

Step Ten: Stick the towel to the topper using the Velcro.

Here are some more pictures of the project.

The towel above is decorated with shamrock applique, our free design of the month.
This is what the finished designs for the mega and large hoops look like: