Buffalo Check DIY Snowman: Using Embroidery Hoops

Ever since I posted my Blue and White Fall Dining Room and 10 Ways To Add Buffalo Check, I have been determined to do a DIY Christmas project using my navy and white buffalo check fabric. I have pinned tons of Christmas inspirations for black and white check, red and white check, and red and black check, but wanted to try something different. Here it is Buffalo Check DIY Snowman: Using Embroidery Hoops (Part 1).

And since I am in love with all things blue and white anyway….I came up with a couple projects where I finally got to use my navy buffalo check fabric- YAY!!

***FYI*** Click here to see Buffalo Check Embroidery Hoops Ornaments (Part 2) or Christmas Snowman: DIY Cotton Ball Wreath if you love all things snowmen!! Let’s get rolling……

Buffalo Check DIY Snowman: Using Embroidery Hoops

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

8″, 12″, 18″ embroidery hoops
white spray paint or white primer
buffalo check fabric – 1 yard
***fabric liner (optional) – 1 yard***
different sizes of gold ribbon & gold dot ribbon
hot glue/glue gun
fabric scissors

*** I purchased all my goodies at Hobby Lobby except…… 1 gold ribbon- Target from last year & spray paint Home Depot***

***OPTIONAL FOR PART 2 – ORNAMENTS**

navy ribbon
white fur ornament balls (set of 6- used 3)
2 white fur balls picks

Buffalo Check DIY Snowman: Using Embroidery Hoops

8 STEPS

STEP 1: PAINT HOOPS

Spray paint hoops front and back sides – keeping loops together (don’t need to unscrew hoops and separate for this part)

Here they are white (below). If you want to choose a different color, go for it. The spray paint acts as a trim color so be creative.

STEP 2: CUT FABRIC

Lay hoops out on fabric to get an idea of where you will want your checks to go.

I used the check on the diagonal for the small & large hoops, and straight for the middle hoop- just to give it a little interest.

You can always use a coordinating fabric also. Cut a square around hoop first- see picture below – RIGHT.

***TIP: Make sure you like up your checks straight…they are kind of tricky like stripes. If they are crooked, and you CUT crooked…..well you might be back at the fabric store 😉 ***

(***This part is optional – see below***)

I cut out a piece of liner to go behind my fabric so you can’t see through it. You can always double up on fabric too (but who wants to waste the cute buffalo check on the back side)??

Top portion- with lining.

Bottom portion- without lining.

STEP 3: PUT FABRIC ON HOOPS

Unscrew at top to loosen hoops. Pull gently to separate hoops.

Lay bottom hoop down on hard surface. Place fabric (and liner) on top covering bottom hoop….with equal amount of extra fabric hanging over the entire loop. Make sure checks are in a straight line.

Place second hoop (one with screw) on top of fabric and bottom hoop. Might need to give it a gentle pull or unscrew a little more to loosen if it won’t cover fabric and bottom hoop.

***TIP Double check one more time to make sure checks run in straight line.*** Then tighten screw- but not completely tight.

Flip over. Gently lift up on fabric to pull any bumps tight. Once fabric is all smooth and pulled firm……tighten screw completely.

***TIP: you will have to pull check fabric and liner separately sometimes to get bumps out. ***

STEP 4: CUT OFF EXCESS FABRIC

Now cut about 3/4 inch or inch around hoop in a circular direction.

Should look like this when finished- upside down (below left)

Here you can see that I laid mine out in a diagonal pattern (below right)

STEP 5: GLUE FABRIC TO HOOPS

Glue down fabric (and liner) to wooden loop. Be careful when doing this so that you don’t accidentally get glue on your top fabric (you can hold the loop upright like a hula hoop and glue like that).

Both fabric and liner glued down – pictured below.

STEP 6: ATTACH HOOPS TOGETHER

I laid mine out just to see what it would look like. Here you can see the top and bottom loops are on the diagonal, and the middle hoop is straight.

Attach a gold ribbon around each screw by tying a knot. Begin at the bottom hoop, and give yourself A LOT of extra ribbon for this before cutting.

Hang it on the door to help with the next part. The hoops will look like they “are dancing around.”

TIP*** Tie knot in top part of ribbon to anchor in door so that it won’t slide out.

Hot glue top hoop (wooden part) to gold ribbon to lie flat (bottom RIGHT).

Repeat for middle hoop to connect to ribbon.

TIP***Make sure your hoop is straight (screw part is lined up to ribbon) before pressing down. Otherwise your hoop will lie crooked. If so, pull gently….and try again!!