"I always use Sulky Cut-Away Plus to stabilize this type of project because it adds a lot of body and stability to the finished item. I also love to trace my patterns onto Sulky Totally Stable Iron-On Stabilizer and iron the pattern right onto the fabric. It's nice to be able to use the same pattern over and over again. I also iron Totally Stable onto slippery fabrics to keep the fabric from sliding away from the scissors as I'm cutting. While I didn't use Heat-Away Disintegrating Stabilizer for this project, it is my very favorite stabilizer to use in my personal clothing for embroidry" - Jamie

This project is a great showcase for embroideries, appliqué, printer fabric sheets (photos) and more. Your imagination will go into overdrive on this one! It's a great shower gift, housewarming or hostess gift; perfect for teenagers expressing their sentiments, a great gag gift for one of those milestone birthdays. Using the printer fabric sheets you can print out a funny card or cartoon, a child's drawing for a grandparent. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you've already thought of 20 other things.

About the Designer

Jamie Fields
Educational Consultant for Viking Distributing in Medford, OR

Jamie travels extensiviely as an Educational Consultant for Viking Distributing, teaching classes and seminars on sewing and serging.

Jamie is a certified Palmer/Pletsch instructor for Creative Serging. She is also a certified Martha Pullen, Husqvarna Viking Heirloom Educator and a Quilting From the Heartland with Husqvarna Viking quilting instructor.

She has been a guest educator on the "America Sews with Sue Hausmann" PBS television show. She enjoys sewing as a hobby and loves sharing her ideas and skills with others.

• Computer Sewing Machine with Embroidery capabilities and Accessories
• 1/3 yd. fashion fabric (cut 4 pieces 11" x 12") for body of door hanger
• Two 11" squares of white or off-white fabric for inserts
• One 9" x 11" piece of Sulky Totally Stable Iron-On Stabilizer
• Four 12" x 12" pieces of Cut-Away Plus Stabilizer
• 1/4" Ribbon or Cording 14" long
• Small pieces of an assortment of fabrics for appliqué
• Cotton or Polyester Sewing Thread
• Fine-Line Permanent-Ink Marker
• Sulky Threads (for embroidery, appliqué or other creative stitching
• Fusible web

1. With a Fine-Line, Permanent-Ink marker, trace pattern onto the non-shiny side of a 9" x 11" piece of Sulky Totally Stable
2. From this pattern (shiny-side down) centered on the wrong side of an 11" x 12" piece of fashion fabric.

1. Place 2 pieces of fashion fabric (one with the pattern on top), right sides together, on top of one piece of Sulky Cut-Away Plus Stabilizer.
2. With regular sewing thread and a regular stitch length, straight stitch on inside pattern line.
3. Carefully tear away center of Totally Stable pattern.

1. Cut away all four layers inside the stitching, 1/4" away from the stitching. (Jamie used pinking shears.) This will leave an opening in the center. Clip curves and corners.
2. Carefully remove the Totally Stable pattern and use it to make a second identical unit. When you carefuly remove the Totally Stable Pattern from the second unit, save it for later use.
3. Turn each of the units right side out through their openings and press.

Using the Sulky Decorative Thread of your choice, embellish both of the 11" square insert fabric pieces with the technique of your choice (embroidery, monogramming, appliqué, free-motion embroidery, decorative stitching); use Cut-Away Plus under the embellishment area to stabilize it. (Jamie used Husqvarna Viking System 5 Customizing Software to create lettering and combine designs.) Center one of the embellished insert fabrics in the opening under one of the fashion fabric units and trim embellished unit, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. (Serge edges or use a zig-zag stitch to keep them from raveling.) Pin and topstitch in place.

1. Pin the 1/4" ribbon to the right side of one unit. Place units right sides together, lining up the openings in the center, and pin.
2. Press the saved Totally Stable pattern onto the wrong side of the top unit, lining up center openings. Stitch units together on the outside stitching line. Leaving 1/4" of fabric, trim remaining fabric away around stitching line. Clip curves and corners.
3. Remove the Totally Stable pattern and turn door hanger right side out through the center opening. Press.
4. Center the second embellished unit under the Totally Stable Pattern; press it in place. Cut the fabric around the outside edge of the Totally Stable pattern. Remove the Totally Stable. Serge or finish to a 7-1/2" square. Insert in the other window of the door hanger.
5. Hang on a doorknob or in the center of a door with a small hook. This project can also be used as a picture frame.