Table of Contents
- Primer: What this project achieves and when to use it
- Prep: Tools, materials, and files
- Setup: Digitizing the name in Embrilliance
- Operation: Placement, hooping, tracing, and stitching
- Quality checks: Validate placement, tension, and finish
- Results & handoff: Clean up and comfort-proofing with Tender Touch
- Troubleshooting & recovery: Common issues and fixes
- From the comments: Quick answers from the community
Video reference: “Machine Embroidering a Custom Name on a Knit Baby Onesie” by Jessica Stone
A baby onesie is tiny, stretchy, and adorable—which makes it both irresistible and a little tricky to embroider. This guide walks you through a clean, repeatable process to stitch a name in a chain stitch that looks beautifully hand-done, yet is fully machine-made and baby-comfortable.
What you’ll learn
- How to digitize a cursive chain stitch name in Embrilliance and print a placement template
- Exactly how to stabilize, position, and hoop a knit onesie without stretching it out
- A dependable setup on the EM1010: center, contour trace, and stitch
- Smart finishing: trimming stabilizer, taming thread tails, and applying Tender Touch
- Answers from the community on toppers, stitch counts, and font tweaks
Primer: What this project achieves and when to use it A chain stitch name on a knit baby onesie delivers the “faux hand-embroidered” vibe with machine-level consistency. Use this method for soft knits where comfort matters and stitches must sit neatly without tunneling or waviness. The result is a personalized gift that’s cute, durable, and comfortable for baby’s skin.
- Design style: a cursive chain stitch name
- Fabric: soft knit onesie
- Machine: EM1010 multi-needle embroidery machine
- Scenario fit: babywear, small custom runs, boutique gifts
From the comments: Is this font “for boys” too? Community feedback affirmed it’s about personal preference—the same cursive style works nicely for boy names as seen on knit baby sweaters online.
Pro tip: For knit babywear, stability and comfort are equally important. Plan your finish (Tender Touch) at the start so you cut it to size while the iron heats up later.
Prep: Tools, materials, and files Gather your supplies so the flow stays smooth from digitizing to finish.
Tools
- Embroidery machine (EM1010)
- Standard embroidery hoop (110×110 mm used in the demo)
- Scissors
- Tape (for the paper template)
- Iron
- Lighter (optional, for tiny thread tails)
- Ruler or measuring stick (optional; finger spacing also works)
Materials
- Knit baby onesie
- Poly mesh cut-away stabilizer
- Basting adhesive spray
- Chain stitch embroidery font (Bold Chain Stitch)
- Tender Touch (soft fusible backing)
- Embroidery thread (single color)
Files and software
- Embrilliance with the BX chain stitch font loaded
- Your name design saved to USB in your machine’s format
- Printed paper template of the name (with center crosshairs)
From the comments: Toppers on knits
- A viewer asked if a water-soluble topper is necessary. The project stitched beautifully without one. Another comment echoed surprise, but the creator confirmed it turned out fine and skipping topper saved a step.
Decision point
- If your knit is fluffy or loops sit high → consider a light topper.
- If the knit is smooth and your test looks clean → you can skip it.
Watch out: Adhesive overspray can make hooping slippery. Spray the stabilizer away from your garment, then bring the stabilizer to the fabric.
Quick check
- Do you have poly mesh cut-away (not tear-away)?
- Is your chain stitch font installed in Embrilliance?
- Did you print the template?
Prep checklist
- Onesie, poly mesh, adhesive, Tender Touch, scissors, tape
- Embrilliance installed; font loaded; USB ready
- Placement template printed and trimmed magnetic hoops
Setup: Digitizing the name in Embrilliance In Embrilliance, pick the Bold Chain Stitch font and type the name. Connect cursive letters so they flow naturally.
1) Set the hoop in software Even if you’ll use the machine’s original hoop, set a generous hoop in software for layout visibility. The demo used an 8×9 setting for on-screen planning.
2) Type the name in the chain stitch font Activate the Bold Chain Stitch font and type the name. Start with a sensible size (e.g., 2 in).
3) Connect cursive letters manually Drag letters to meet their neighbors—cursive wants continuity. Pay attention to letter heights and how entry/exit points flow.
From the comments: “Could you resize a single letter (like Y)?” Yes—Embrilliance allows it, but the creator avoided it here to prevent stitch distortion. If you do resize a single letter, test-stitch a scrap first.
4) Center, then print a placement template Use the software’s center function. Print the first page that shows the design with center crosshairs so you can tape it to the garment for perfect alignment.
5) Save to USB Export to a format your machine reads and copy it to a USB stick.
Quick check
- Letters look connected and balanced
- Design fits your intended hoop size
- Template printed; file saved to USB mighty hoop 8x9
Setup checklist
- Font selected, name typed
- Cursive connections checked
- Template printed, file saved
Operation: Placement, hooping, tracing, and stitching This is where precision turns into a smooth stitch-out.
Step 1 — Prepare the onesie and stabilizer Unbutton the onesie. Turn it inside out. Cut poly mesh cut-away to cover a generous area behind the design. Lightly spray the stabilizer with basting adhesive and press it to the inside front panel. Turn the onesie right side out and smooth the front.
Pro tip: Poly mesh cut-away remains soft in the garment after trimming, providing ongoing support without a stiff feel—a perfect match for babywear.
Step 2 — Find center and place the template Fold the onesie to give yourself a faint center crease. Place the paper template on the front, aligning the template’s vertical line with the crease. Position it about two finger-widths below the collar (or measure if you prefer). Tape in place and hold it up to eyeball straightness.
Quick check: If you gently “walk” your fingers from the center to each side, the spacing should feel symmetrical.
Step 3 — Hoop the knit securely Use the original hoop. Align hoop notches with the template crosshairs. Hoop “upside down” so the bottom opening faces the machine arm—this gives more clearance on tiny garments and helps avoid neck-hole distortion. Tighten enough to keep the knit taut but not stretched out of shape.
Watch out: Over-tight hooping can cause hoop burn or distortion. You want smooth tension, not stretched fabric.
From the comments: A tip many swear by—round your trimming corners (backings/patches) so they don’t lift later. Apply the same logic when trimming Tender Touch later.
Step 4 — Mount and contour trace Slide the hooped onesie onto the machine arm, ensuring no fabric is tucked underneath. Align needle 1 with the template’s crosshairs. Run a contour trace to confirm the design clears the hoop frame. Remove the paper template carefully before stitching.
Quick check: The contour trace should complete without hitting the hoop on any side.
Step 5 — Stitch the chain stitch name Start the stitch-out and observe the first pass. If the knit and stabilizer are well set, the chain stitch will lay smoothly. The demo reported a few small tension loop “hiccups” but overall a beautifully clean finish.
Decision point: Using a topper
- If the knit surface is plush and loops rise above the stitch path → add a light topper before stitching.
- If the surface is smooth and your test looks crisp → skip the topper.
Operation checklist
- Stabilizer adhered flat; onesie right side out
- Template aligned and taped; eyeball check done
- Hooped with even tension; bottom opening toward the arm
- Contour trace clears the frame; template removed ricoma mighty hoops
Quality checks: Validate placement, tension, and finish At key moments, pause to self-audit.
Placement
- Center line alignment: The design should sit on the crease you created.
- Vertical position: Two finger-widths (or your preferred measurement) below the collar looks balanced for most infant sizes.
Stitch performance
- Chain stitch links should be consistent and snug.
- Occasional small loops may indicate tension to fine-tune on future runs.
Hoop security
- No fabric is caught under the hoop or machine arm.
- The knit remains smooth without stretching marks.
Quick check: Before pressing Tender Touch, turn the onesie inside out and confirm you can trim stabilizer cleanly without nicking the fabric.
Results & handoff: Clean up and comfort-proofing with Tender Touch Step 1 — Release and trim Remove the hoop and turn the onesie inside out. Trim the poly mesh cut-away close to the design without cutting the knit. For tiny loose thread tails on the back, you can make quick, brief passes with a lighter to singe them smaller—never hold the flame in one spot.
Safety note: Keep the flame moving and away from fabric—this is only for skimming short tails.
Step 2 — Apply Tender Touch Cut a piece of Tender Touch that covers the entire stitch field with a small margin. Fuse it with an iron so it adheres smoothly and fully. This creates a soft barrier between stitches and baby’s skin.
From the comments: Rounding the corners of your Tender Touch makes it less likely to lift at the edges after laundering.
Step 3 — Flip and admire Turn the onesie right side out and button the bottom. You should see a smooth chain stitch name, centered and neat.
Community data point: One commenter reported the finished name measured about 8,444 stitches—useful for time estimates and thread planning.
Results checklist
- Stabilizer trimmed neatly; no fabric nicks
- Thread tails controlled; no scorch marks
- Tender Touch fully fused and smooth hoopmaster
Troubleshooting & recovery: Common issues and fixes Symptom: Small loops on top of the chain stitch
- Likely cause: Tension slightly off.
- Fix now: Trim loose loops carefully post-stitch if safe to do so.
- Improve next time: Test on a scrap with the same knit and stabilizer combo and fine-tune tension before the real piece.
Symptom: Design collides with hoop during trace
- Likely cause: Placement too close to edges or design too big.
- Fix: Recenter in the machine, or go back and slightly resize in software. Re-hoop if needed and run trace again.
Symptom: Wavy or distorted knit after hooping
- Likely cause: Over-tightened hoop or stretched fabric during hooping.
- Fix: Re-hoop with gentler tension, smoothing rather than stretching.
Symptom: Template ends up slightly crooked once hooped
- Likely cause: Fabric shifted while hooping.
- Fix: Unhoop and re-align. Confirm center with the crease and re-tape.
Symptom: Scratchy inside against skin
- Likely cause: Missing or poorly fused Tender Touch.
- Fix: Re-iron or replace the Tender Touch, ensuring edge-to-edge coverage over the stitch area.
Open question from the comments: “How do you fix those loops on top?” The thread didn’t include a detailed method. General practice is to address machine tension and do a test on similar knit before the final piece. Post-stitch, you can sometimes pull loose loops to the back and secure, or carefully trim tiny loop peaks if they’re safe to remove.
Quick check: Before stitching, always perform a contour trace and ensure the garment body isn’t caught under the hoop or arm. One pass of this check can save a project.
From the comments: Quick answers from the community
- Water-soluble topper: Optional; this project stitched cleanly without it. hooping station for embroidery
- Stitch count reference: About 8,444 stitches for the name shown—useful for planning.
- Resizing a single letter in Embrilliance: Possible, but be mindful of potential stitch distortion; test first.
- Sourcing knit blanks: A viewer suggested a wholesale supplier for similar knit outfits.
- Rounding corners: Trim backing and Tender Touch with rounded corners to reduce lifting.
Why this flow works on knits
- Poly mesh cut-away provides lasting, soft stability.
- Inside-out prep and adhesive application keep layers smooth.
- Template placement and a quick eyeball check catch alignment issues early.
- Hooping with the bottom opening toward the arm makes tiny garments manageable.
- Contour tracing prevents hoop strikes.
- Tender Touch finish ensures baby-soft comfort.
If you frequently embroider tiny garments or stretchy knits, consider workflow helpers like alignment tools and magnet-assisted hooping options to make repeat jobs faster and more consistent. embroidery magnetic hoops
Final note on tools and scale While this project used the standard hoop, software planning in a larger on-screen frame helped visualize placement. If you later invest in magnet-assisted frames compatible with your machine, you can streamline hooping small knits even further. mighty hoops for ricoma em 1010