Table of Contents
- Why Embroider on Toilet Paper?
- Gather Your Materials & Tools
- Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Toilet Paper for Embroidery
- Bringing Your Design to Life: The Embroidery Process
- Finishing Touches: Unhooping & Trimming
- Creative Uses for Your Embroidered Toilet Paper
- From the Comments: Your Top Questions, Answered
- Troubleshooting & Quick Checks
Watch the video: “How to Embroider on Toilet Paper” by Mariana Vargas Embroidery
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can stitch on the most delicate material in your home, here’s your answer: yes, you can embroider on toilet paper. It’s playful, practical for practice, and surprisingly gift-worthy when done right. Let’s walk through the exact layering, hooping, and stitching sequence demonstrated in the video—plus pro tips to keep every square intact. brother embroidery machine
What you’ll learn
- How to layer two-ply toilet paper for stability without adding adhesives
- The correct way to hoop toilet paper with a cutaway stabilizer
- A cellophane wrap top-layer hack to prevent snags and tearing
- How to monitor stitching and finish cleanly for gift-ready results
Why Embroider on Toilet Paper?
Unexpected Craft Medium Toilet paper is delicate—but that’s exactly why it’s a brilliant test surface. You’ll see how the right hooping and gentle handling can turn a fragile material into a canvas for whimsical designs. Use it to trial designs, thread colors, and machine settings without risking expensive blanks.
Inexpensive & Accessible Materials A budget two-ply roll is all you need. You’ll also want cutaway stabilizer and a piece of ordinary cellophane (plastic) wrap. These simple supplies keep the project cost low and the learning curve friendly. brother 5x7 hoop
Perfect for Test Stitches & Gifts Instead of risking shirts, hats, or bibs, make toilet paper your testing zone. When it works, you’ve got instant seasonal decor or an inexpensive gift—wrap the roll, add a ribbon, and you’re done.
Gather Your Materials & Tools
The Star: Two-Ply Toilet Paper The tutorial uses a two-ply roll. Unroll four squares (often called “tiles”) and fold to create eight layers. This layering makes the paper stable enough to take stitches while staying soft and flexible.
Stabilizer Essentials Place cutaway stabilizer under the paper inside the hoop. Cutaway offers consistent support for the stitches—important when your base is as tender as tissue. You’ll trim it carefully after stitching, just shy of the paper’s edges.
Your Trusty Embroidery Machine The creator uses a home embroidery machine and selects a built-in design—fast and fuss-free. This is a great way to get comfortable with your machine’s library while you practice color choices and thread changes.
Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Toilet Paper for Embroidery
Layering for Stability Start by counting four squares of two-ply toilet paper. Fold once to make eight layers. Smooth the layers flat with your hands to remove ripples. More layers can be folded if desired for extra stability, but eight worked well in the video.
Hooping with Care Set a piece of cutaway stabilizer over the inner hoop. Center the folded toilet paper on top with the orientation you want (it’s easy to accidentally hoop the design area upside-down). Place the outer hoop over both layers and press down evenly. You want “taut but not stretched.”
brother embroidery machine hoops
Pro tip Before you leave the prep stage, consider how the final roll will display. If you plan to re-roll the paper, make sure the design area faces outward once it’s wrapped back onto the tube.
Quick check Tap the back of the hooped sandwich. If it sounds like a drum, your tension is good and you’re ready to mount the hoop on the machine.
The Cellophane Wrap Hack Float a piece of ordinary plastic wrap (cellophane/Saran Wrap) on top of the hooped area—don’t hoop it. Lower the presser foot to hold it in place. This inexpensive layer helps prevent thread from snagging or sinking into the paper’s texture and adds just enough surface control for clean stitching.
Bringing Your Design to Life: The Embroidery Process
Choosing Your Design The demo uses a built-in autumn-themed design found right on the machine. That’s perfect for practice because you avoid file transfer steps. You can pick any built-in motif you like—from critters to seasonal icons—and choose your own thread colors to personalize it.
Machine Setup & Stitching Attach the hoop to your machine and ensure it locks securely. The creator mentions a brief struggle to get the “click” while connecting the hoop—take your time and double-check the latch. Start stitching with the cellophane wrap floating on top. Keep an eye on your thread path and color changes; the wrap will help prevent pull and fuzz from lifting.
From the comments
- Pattern sourcing: Viewers asked where to get patterns. The creator notes that designs can come built into the machine, and you can also purchase patterns on Etsy.
- Other machines: A viewer asked about using an EM 1010. The creator replied that the same method applies and recommended using the “A” hoop.
- Stitch density: Another viewer asked about reducing density. The answer: it depends on the design and preference. For the showcased design, no density reduction was used.
Monitoring for Success Watch the machine as it embroiders. The wrap acts like a top stabilizer, so you’ll likely see smoother coverage and fewer snags. You can deviate from the machine’s suggested color sequence—make the design your own.
Watch out Avoid adhesives for this project. Spray adhesives can make removal messy and raise the risk of tearing when you separate materials.
Finishing Touches: Unhooping & Trimming
Delicate Removal When stitching is done, unhoop carefully. Use small scissors to trim jump threads and clean up the design without tugging the paper.
brother embroidery hoops sizes
Cleaning Up Threads & Stabilizer Trim the cutaway stabilizer “shy of the paper’s edges,” leaving a neat outline without cutting into the toilet paper. Peel off the cellophane wrap from the top—it should come away cleanly. This thoughtful trimming step is the difference between a fragile piece and a presentable, gift-ready finish.
Creative Uses for Your Embroidered Toilet Paper
Unique Holiday Gifts Dress a completed roll with cellophane wrap and a ribbon for a charming, inexpensive gift. Seasonal designs like leaves or snowmen are perfect for autumn and winter. It’s a conversation starter that brings smiles.
Bathroom Decor Display a roll in a guest bath or on a shelf. Embroidered toilet paper adds a playful, custom touch to powder rooms and holiday vignettes.
Party Favors For showers or weekend get-togethers, add a small embroidered motif and a tag. Guests won’t forget the creativity—and you’ll have practiced your hooping and stitching along the way.
From the Comments: Your Top Questions, Answered
Where do I get patterns or designs? According to the creator, designs can be found preloaded on the machine, and additional patterns can be purchased on Etsy. If you’re just getting started, built-in designs are ideal because you don’t need to manage files before you test-stitch.
Do I need to adjust stitch density? It depends on the design and your preference for coverage. The creator did not reduce density for the featured autumn design, and it stitched cleanly with the cellophane wrap top layer and good hoop tension.
Can I use a different machine? Yes. The method is flexible: layered toilet paper, cutaway stabilizer underneath, and cellophane wrap floated on top. One commenter asked about an EM 1010; the creator said the same method works and suggested the “A” hoop for that machine.
Troubleshooting & Quick Checks
- The hoop won’t click into place: Reseat the frame and press until you hear or feel the latch engage; ensure nothing is obstructing the connection.
- Paper tears while hooping: Add gentle pressure, confirm eight layers, and avoid stretching. Re-fold if necessary and try again with a fresh section.
- Thread snags on the surface: Make sure the cellophane wrap fully covers the stitch area and the presser foot is holding it down.
- Wavy or puckered stitches: Re-check hoop tension using the drum tap test; re-hoop if it’s not taut.
Showcase the Results Once trimmed, the embroidered roll looks polished and ready to display or gift. A trio of seasonal designs makes an especially charming arrangement.
Project Recap - Prepare: Fold four squares of two-ply paper to get eight layers; smooth flat.
- Hoop: Cutaway stabilizer under the paper; press into the hoop gently but firmly.
- Top layer: Float cellophane wrap on top; don’t hoop it.
- Stitch: Choose a built-in design; monitor stitching for smooth progress.
- Finish: Unhoop carefully; trim threads; cut stabilizer shy of the edges; remove wrap.
brother embroidery machine hoops
Notes on Materials and Choices
- Toilet paper brand: The video shows a common two-ply roll; specific performance differences by brand aren’t discussed.
- Stabilizer: Cutaway is used beneath the paper. Water-soluble toppers are mentioned in general, but the creator opts for the cellophane wrap hack for cost and convenience.
- Designs: Built-in options reduce setup time; you can later explore purchased designs if desired.
A Final Thought This project is as much about confidence as it is about technique. By mastering delicate surfaces with a low-stakes material, you’ll sharpen your hooping and finishing skills for all kinds of embroidery projects. Start simple, enjoy the process, and have fun customizing colors and motifs.
Preparation & Hooping Gallery - Initial setup with hoop and mat: see how minimal tools keep the process clean.
- Counting and folding tiles for even layers: small steps that pay off later.
- Smoothing before hooping: a wrinkle-free base is a more forgiving canvas.
- Stabilizer and hoop sequencing: align carefully to avoid tearing.
- Final tension check: the drum test is your green light to stitch.
Stitching & Finish Gallery - Mounting the hoop on the machine: take your time for a solid lock.
- The cellophane wrap hack in action: smooth stitches and crisp edges.
- Close-up stitching with vibrant colors: keep an eye on thread paths.
- Trimming threads and cutaway stabilizer: precision keeps the paper intact.
- Finished rolls on display: simple, seasonal, and gift-ready.
Show & Tell Tried it? Share your favorite built-in motif, thread colors, and any tweaks you made—especially if you tested different layer counts or stabilizer trims. Community tips help everyone learn faster.