DIY Christmas Onesie Embroidery on Brother PE800 (Floating Technique)

Video reference: “DIY Christmas Onesie Embroidery: Too Cute For The Naughty List” by Kayla's Corner

A festive onesie, a steady hoop, and a joyful message—this project turns a simple baby bodysuit into a keepsake. Follow along to set up your Brother PE800, float a onesie on cut-away stabilizer, manage color changes, and finish clean so it’s gift-ready.

What you’ll learn

• How to load and position a holiday design on the Brother PE800

• The floating method for onesies using cut-away stabilizer and temporary adhesive

• Alignment techniques to keep designs centered and straight

• Smart checks before stitching to avoid accidental catch and folds

• Clean finishing: thread trimming and quick surface cleanup

Getting Started: Choosing Your Design & Gathering Supplies Finding the Perfect Christmas Embroidery Design The project uses a cheerful “Too Cute For The Naughty List” file sourced affordably from Etsy. The playful typography and small heart accents stitch in three colors—green, red, and light green—ideal for a festive baby gift.

Pro tip: Many sellers list color sequences and estimated stitch times in their design previews or machine screens. On the Brother PE800, expect to see the color order and total time estimate once the file is loaded.

Essential Embroidery Supplies for Onesies Here’s the exact kit used:

• Embroidery machine: Brother PE800

• Hoop: 5x7

• Onesie: 6–12 month, 100% polyester (sublimation) from Laughing Giraffe

• Stabilizer: cut-away

• Threads: green, red, light green

• Temporary basting adhesive spray

• Scissors: one small pair for detailed trimming and a general pair

• USB drive for the design

Watch out: Spray adhesive away from your machine and work surfaces you want to keep clean. Overspray on the bed of your machine can transfer to fabric.

Understanding Onesie Fabric and Stabilizer Choices The maker chose a thicker 100% polyester sublimation onesie. Thicker, less-stretchy fabric tends to behave more predictably during stitching than thin, stretchy cotton. Pairing it with cut-away stabilizer provides durable support under satin and fill stitches.

Quick check: Tug the onesie gently in multiple directions. If the fabric stretches a lot, slow down, keep tension light during stitching, and monitor for folds.

If you’re exploring accessories, some embroiderers like magnetic-style gear; research compatibility first—especially if you’re considering magnetic hoop for brother pe800.

Prep checklist

• Design file saved to a USB drive

• Onesie, stabilizer, adhesive, scissors, and threads within reach

• Workspace cleared and flat

Setting Up Your Brother PE800 Embroidery Machine Powering On and Navigating the Touchscreen Turn on the Brother PE800. The screen displays the brand logo, then a carriage-movement warning. Acknowledge any prompts, then head to the home screen.

Loading Your Digital Embroidery File

• Insert your USB drive.

• Tap the USB icon on the PE800 touchscreen.

• Locate and select “Too Cute For The Naughty List.”

- Review the on-screen preview showing sequence and timing—this project estimated ~27 minutes in total.

Adjusting Design Placement for Optimal Results In this build, the design is positioned toward the top of the hoop (relative to the embroidery area), which typically places the artwork in the upper chest area of a baby onesie once centered and floated correctly.

Pro tip: The preview makes it easy to confirm stitch order: Color 1 (green), Color 2 (red), and Color 3 (light green). This helps you pre-stage thread spools and reduce mid-project fumbling.

If you own different gear, you might evaluate whether a brother 5x7 magnetic hoop or standard framed hoop is better for your typical projects; confirm fit and workflow before you switch.

Setup checklist

• Machine powered on

• Design loaded via USB and visible in the preview

• Design position confirmed (upper hoop area)

• Threads for all planned colors staged nearby

The Art of Hooping: Stabilizer and Floating Technique Hooping Cut-Away Stabilizer for a Taut Base

• Place the outer ring of your 5x7 hoop on the table.

• Lay a cut piece of cut-away stabilizer over it.

• Press the inner hoop in, aligning arrows.

- Pull gently around the edges to eliminate slack, then tighten the screw. Tap: it should feel “soft-drum tight.”

Watch out: If the stabilizer is loose or bulging, stitches can warp or pucker. If needed, loosen the screw, smooth, and re-tighten.

Preparing the Onesie: Inside-Out and Folded Alignment Turn the onesie inside out and lay it with the back facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the onesie lengthwise so the seams, armpits, and sleeves align; this fold gives you a true center line.

Pro tip: Viewers who struggle with placement near the neck find that folding for center and using inside-out orientation makes alignment more intuitive.

Floating Your Onesie with Temporary Basting Adhesive

• Take the hooped stabilizer to a safe place for spraying.

• Apply a light, even coat of temporary basting adhesive.

• Bring the hoop back to your station and align the onesie’s collar center with the hoop’s center line.

• Press the folded onesie down to tack the collar point first.

• Unfold gradually, smoothing the fabric flat and straight. Confirm adhesion is even and wrinkle-free.

Quick check: Look at the fold line versus the hoop’s center marks. If they drift, lift and re-lay before stitching.

Viewer tip (placement): A common question is avoiding designs too high/low near the neck. Turning the garment inside out, folding to find center, then aligning to the hoop’s center line simplifies the decision point. If you struggle to hoop directly, floating often feels easier.

If you’re comparing tools, research whether a hoop master embroidery hooping station fits your process, or if you prefer classic floating with adhesive and a standard hoop.

Hooping checklist

• Stabilizer hooped with drum-like tension

• Onesie inside out, folded, and centered on the hooped stabilizer

• Adhesive applied away from your machine and surfaces

Executing the Embroidery: Stitching Your Festive Onesie Threading Your Machine for Each Color Change Attach the hooped onesie to the carriage, ensuring it clicks into place. Thread the first color—green—manually (the maker prefers manual threading to the automatic threader).

Watch out: Confirm the correct color matches your on-screen sequence before starting. A wrong spool leads to mismatched lettering.

Critical Checks: Avoiding Folded Fabric During Embroidery Before pressing start, lift the back of the onesie and look under the hoop: make sure no fabric is tucked beneath the stitching area. This avoids accidentally stitching the onesie to itself.

Safety reminder: Keep your fingers clear of the needle path at all times while guiding fabric edges.

Monitoring the Stitching Process: Tips for Success Start the machine. While it stitches, gently hold and lift the onesie so it doesn’t snag on the hoop or catch under the presser foot. The first pass stitches the green text (“TOO CUTE” and “FOR”).

• Change to red for “NAUGHTY.”

• Change to light green for the hearts and “LIST.”

- The screen will display completion once the job is done.

Quick check: After each color change, verify the thread path and recheck that nothing is folded underneath.

If you tend to test different accessories, some crafters evaluate embroidery magnetic hoops as an alternate workflow. Research carefully to ensure your tool choices align with your machine and garment types.

Operation checklist

• Hoop attached securely to the carriage

• First color threaded

• Area under the hoop confirmed clear—no trapped layers

• Hands positioned to guide fabric away from the needle path

The Finishing Touches: From Machine to Masterpiece Removing the Hoop and Trimming Threads Neatly When the screen reads “Finished embroidering,” lift the presser foot and remove the hoop. Trim any jump threads with small, sharp scissors for precision.

Cleaning and Presenting Your Custom Onesie Run a lint roller over the surface to pick up loose fibers or stabilizer crumbs. Turn the onesie right-side out and admire your festive finish.

Sharing Your Creations: Tips and Tricks

• Photograph in bright, even light to show off thread sheen and color contrast.

• Fold the onesie neatly to frame the design in the center of your shot.

• Note your thread sequence and total run time (the PE800 estimate for this project was about 27 minutes) for your records.

If you like to experiment, compare your current hoop to options like a dime magnetic hoop or other alternatives; evaluate how they affect garment handling and your personal setup.

Troubleshooting Common Embroidery Issues Symptom: Crooked or off-center design

• Likely cause: Misaligned fold or collar center when floating

• Fix: Refold the onesie to confirm a true center; align the collar center to the hoop center; lightly re-press onto adhesive and smooth again

Symptom: Fabric stitched to itself (caught under the hoop)

• Likely cause: Fabric bunched under embroidery area

• Fix: Before each color start, lift the garment and verify nothing is under the hoop; if caught, stop immediately, carefully unpick if needed, and realign

Symptom: Puckering around stitches

• Likely cause: Stabilizer not taut, wrinkles during adhesion

• Fix: Re-hoop stabilizer for drum tension; re-float, smoothing the onesie from center outward; keep hands guiding fabric lightly during stitching

Symptom: Wrong color stitched

• Likely cause: Thread order mix-up

• Fix: Cross-check the PE800 screen before each color change; rethread and back up if necessary

Viewer-suggested workaround for bulky garments One community member suggested cutting open the side seams up to the underarm to reduce stretch and bulk during embroidery, then resewing the seams afterward. Decide if this aligns with your skills and project plan before attempting.

If you’re researching broader tool paths, explore whether a magnetic hoop for brother embroidery machine might fit your workflow. Always verify compatibility with your exact model before purchasing.

Quality Checks (any time during or after stitching)

• Stabilizer in the hoop is taut and flat

• Onesie is adhered smoothly—no wrinkles or ripples

• No fabric is caught below the hoop before pressing start

• Thread tails trimmed cleanly after stitching

Results & Handoff Expected outputs

• A crisp, festive onesie with “TOO CUTE FOR THE NAUGHTY LIST,” stitched in three colors: green (TOO CUTE, FOR), red (NAUGHTY), light green (hearts, LIST)

• Tidy surface free of loose thread tails

• A gift-ready garment suitable for holiday photos and family gifting

Handoff tips

• Store the onesie flat immediately after trimming to avoid creasing

• If gifting, consider a simple ribbon fold or a small box to protect embroidery texture

From the comments Q: I struggle with hooping and placement—too high or too low near the neck. Any suggestions? A: Fold the onesie to find center, turn it inside out, and float on hooped stabilizer. Align the collar center to the hoop’s center line, then unfold and smooth. This inside-out floating method simplifies alignment.

Q: Do I have to turn the shirt inside out? A: The creator prefers it because hooping directly can feel awkward. Inside-out plus floating has consistently been easier in this project.

Q: Can I open side seams to make it easier? A: One viewer suggests opening side seams up to the underarm to reduce bulk and stretch while stitching, then resewing. Consider whether that step fits your tools and comfort level.

Further gear research If you’re exploring different hooping tools for future projects, compare your current setup to options such as magnetic embroidery hoops for brother, magnetic hoop for brother, or dime magnetic hoop. Keep in mind that the project here uses a standard 5x7 hoop and floating technique on a Brother PE800.

Embed timeline highlights - Design & supplies overview: the Etsy file and materials

- Machine setup & design loading on the PE800

- Hooping stabilizer to drum tension

- Floating the onesie neatly centered

- Color changes and stitching progress

- Tidy finishing with thread trimming

Quick reference: color order

• Color 1: green (TOO CUTE, FOR)

• Color 2: red (NAUGHTY)

• Color 3: light green (hearts, LIST)

Safety reminders

• Keep fingers away from the needle area.

• Double-check no fabric is folded underneath before you press start.

If you prefer different hardware, confirm model compatibility before investing in accessories like magnetic embroidery hoops for brother pe800.