Table of Contents
Primer: What these earrings are and when to make them
These are freestanding thread earrings created directly on water-soluble stabilizer. There’s no fabric layer: you stitch the shape, dissolve the stabilizer, then attach ear hooks. The result is lightweight, dangly jewelry that’s quick to customize with color.
From the comments
- Are they really just thread? Yes—stitched on water-soluble stabilizer, then rinsed.
- What does “in the hoop” mean? It’s a project completed entirely within the machine’s embroidery hoop.
When to choose this project
- You want quick, giftable accessories. Typical runtime is about nine minutes per earring (roughly 18 minutes per pair).
- You enjoy color play—change thread to match outfits or seasons.
Scope and assumptions
- This walkthrough uses Embrilliance for design prep and a Brother PE800 for stitching. The flow applies broadly to single-needle embroidery machines with a hoop that fits multiple small designs per run.
Pro tip If you plan to stitch multiple pairs, group them into one file so the machine runs them back-to-back without rehooping. hoopmaster
Prep: Tools, materials, and files
Workspace
- Desk or computer area for Embrilliance setup
- Machine station for hooping and stitching
- Sink for rinsing stabilizer
- Ironing board or heat-safe surface for drying
- Flat surface for attaching hardware
Materials
- Water-soluble stabilizer (thicker type), cut in two layers per hoop
- Embroidery thread in your chosen colors
- Jump rings (medium recommended)
- Ear hooks
Tools
- Scissors (sharp/pointed help for trimming jumps)
- Needle-nose pliers
- Iron
- Teflon sheet (or equivalent protective sheet) for pressing
Files
- .PES earring design files (multiple styles available; the example set includes 18 designs)
Quick check
- Designs: You’ve selected .PES files and can fit multiple pairs on your hoop.
- Stabilizer: The thicker, water-soluble type is on hand—enough for two layers.
- Threads: You have matching top and bobbin colors for each pair. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother
Note on design sources An Etsy set with multiple earring styles was used in the reference project, but the specific shop link is not provided here.
Prep checklist
- [ ] .PES designs chosen and accessible
- [ ] Thicker water-soluble stabilizer available (enough for double-layer hooping)
- [ ] Matching top/bobbin thread colors selected
- [ ] Hardware (jump rings, ear hooks), pliers, scissors, iron, Teflon sheet ready
Setup: Software and machine configuration
1) Prepare designs in Embrilliance
- Open Embrilliance and drag in your chosen .PES earring pairs (e.g., styles 03 and 13). Arrange to fit your hoop and to maximize each run.
- Rotate or nudge designs to fit four earrings at a time if your hoop allows.
- Consolidate color stops: set all elements intended for the same thread to a single color so the machine won’t pause for unnecessary changes.
- Save to USB.
Watch out Overlapping designs or elements outside the hoop boundary will cause rejects or partial stitching. Zoom and verify the bounding boxes before saving.
2) Hoop double-layer stabilizer
- Cut two pieces of thicker water-soluble stabilizer to your hoop footprint.
- Hoop both layers together. Tighten the hoop screw, then tug lightly around the edges until the surface is firm and smooth.
Quick check The stabilizer should feel like a tight drum—flat, with no wrinkles. If you see tearing or dimples, re-hoop gently. embroidery magnetic hoops
3) Thread and load the machine
- Bring your hooped stabilizer to the Brother PE800.
- Load a bobbin that matches your chosen top thread color (e.g., silver bobbin with silver top).
- Thread the machine with the same color. Mount the hoop and select your saved design from USB. Confirm stitch time estimates (about 18 minutes per pair in the example).
Why matching matters These earrings are seen from both sides. Matching bobbin/top colors ensures a uniform, professional look all around.
Setup checklist
- [ ] Designs placed within hoop bounds; color stops consolidated
- [ ] Two layers of water-soluble stabilizer hooped tightly
- [ ] Bobbin and top thread colors match; design loaded from USB
Operation: Stitch, rinse, dry, assemble
Step 1 — Stitch the earrings
1) Start the embroidery. Let the machine complete the first pair.
2) If you’re stitching a second colorway, rethread with the new color and continue.
Outcome to expect A clean, satin-dense freestanding structure forming the earring outline and details. No fabric is used—only thread on stabilizer.
Quick check If you consolidated color stops in software, the machine won’t pause for unneeded thread changes. dime snap hoop
Step 2 — Trim jump stitches and cut out
3) Remove the hoop. Trim jump stitches on the front, then flip and trim the back.
4) Take the stabilizer out of the hoop. Rough-cut the sheet into individual pieces, then trim closely around each earring.
Watch out Do not nick the stitch edges when trimming. Use sharp, pointed scissors and small snips near curves.
Step 3 — Rinse away stabilizer
5) At the sink, run each piece briefly under cool or lukewarm water. The stabilizer will soften; gently peel and rub away the residue around and inside cutouts.
6) Continue rinsing until the thread feels clean—no slippery film remains.
Pro tip Wipe dissolved stabilizer onto a towel rather than sending the gel down the drain. magnetic hoop for brother pe800
Step 4 — Dry and set the shape
7) Lay pieces flat on an ironing board, cover with a Teflon sheet, and press with a warm iron to dry quickly.
8) Alternatively, lay flat to air-dry. When dry, the earrings should feel firm and keep their silhouette.
Watch out Never touch a hot iron directly to damp embroidery—always press through a protective sheet.
Step 5 — Attach earring hardware
9) Choose jump rings (medium is a good size for most styles) and ear hooks. 10) With needle-nose pliers, twist a jump ring open (twist, don’t pull).
11) Pass the ring through the design’s top loop, add the ear hook, and twist closed so there’s no gap.
12) Repeat for the remaining earrings.
Quick check Hooks should face forward when worn, and every jump ring closure should be tight with no visible gap. brother pe800 magnetic hoop
Operation checklist
- [ ] First pair stitched cleanly; second colorway rethreaded if desired
- [ ] All jumps trimmed front and back
- [ ] Stabilizer fully dissolved; thread feels clean
- [ ] Pieces dried with protective sheet or air-dried; firm to the touch
- [ ] Hardware attached; jump rings fully closed
Quality checks at each milestone
Design prep
- All designs inside hoop boundary; no overlaps.
Hooping
- Two layers of water-soluble stabilizer, taut and wrinkle-free.
Stitching
- Consistent tension; no bird-nesting; no thread breaks.
- Matching bobbin/top thread for a reversible finish.
Rinsing
- No slick residue left; interior openings are cleanly cleared.
Drying
- Pieces lie flat; edges are smooth; overall feel is firm.
Hardware - Jump rings closed where opened; no gap; hooks oriented correctly.
Quick check A finished pair should dangle lightly without curling. Stitch lines look even up close and from the back.
Results & handoff
What you should have - Two fully reversible, lightweight earring pairs—clean edges, neat cutouts, crisp shape.
Time expectations
- About nine minutes per earring (roughly 18 per pair) once stitched. Allow a few extra minutes for trimming, rinsing, drying, and assembly.
Care
- Keep dry during wear. If they ever pick up a bit of residue feel after storage, a brief rinse and press through a Teflon sheet refreshes them.
Troubleshooting & recovery
Symptom: Stabilizer tears while hooping
- Likely cause: Pulling too hard or stabilizer too thin.
- Fix: Re-hoop gently with two thick layers; tighten the hoop screw first, then make light tugs around the perimeter.
Symptom: White thread shows on the back
- Likely cause: Mismatched bobbin color.
- Fix: Wind and load a bobbin that matches your top thread before stitching.
Symptom: Stitches look loose or tight
- Likely cause: Threading issue or tension off.
- Fix: Rethread carefully; test a small scrap run if needed and adjust tension minimally.
Symptom: Cloudy or stiff residue after drying
- Likely cause: Incomplete rinse.
- Fix: Re-wet and rinse longer; gently rub away softened stabilizer from cutouts and edges.
Symptom: Jump ring falls out
- Likely cause: Ring pulled apart, not twisted; gap left open.
- Fix: Use a twisting motion to open/close; align ends to touch. Practice on a spare ring.
Watch out If you have sensitive ears, choose hardware accordingly; low-cost hooks can cause irritation.
Quick isolation tests
- Back looks different from front? Check bobbin color.
- Curling edges after drying? Rinse more thoroughly, then press through a Teflon sheet until flat and firm.
From the comments
- Software and Mac: Embrilliance is used for design prep and works on Mac.
- All thread, no fabric: Correct—the earrings are freestanding embroidery stitched on water-soluble stabilizer.
- What does “in the hoop” mean? It’s done entirely within the embroidery hoop—no extra sewing steps.
- Design source: The referenced shop has since closed; pick any .PES earring set you like.
Related gear mention If your studio workflow evolves, you may explore accessories that streamline hooping and repetition. Options vary widely; choose what suits your machine and projects. brother magnetic embroidery frame hoop master embroidery hooping station