Do you need a gift for a wedding shower this weekend, or for your sister’s 50th wedding anniversary, or maybe for a friend’s birthday? Some of you may think that embroidering on toilet paper is a silly idea – and it is, but sometimes it is good to do something specifically because it is a silly idea.

At a recent Melanie Coakley “Start Your Own Embroidery Business” event, she talked about embroidering on a roll of toilet paper and wrapping the roll up to give as a gift at a party. A salesperson who attended the party thought T.P. embroidered with her name and phone number would make a wonderful calling card. Melanie got an order for 100 rolls at $20 each – I’m sure you can do the math…

Supplies:
4” x 4” hoop
One roll of 2-ply toilet paper – 3-ply for a really special recipient
Two pieces of cut-away stabilizer large enough to be clamped in your hoop
One piece of medium-weight water-soluble stabilizer large enough to be clamped in your hoop
Embroidery design of your choice or creation that is not too dense and will fit in a 4” x 4” hoop

Instructions:

1. Roll out the T.P. so it unrolls from the top.
2. Take the first three perfect squares and fold them under the next 3 squares.
3. Make sure the edges are lined up.

4. Center the middle doubled square of T.P. on one of the cut-away stabilizer pieces and put the water-soluble stabilizer on top. Gently hoop together with the sandwich centered in the hoop.

5. Hook the hoop to your machine. Place the roll of T.P. to the side or back of the machine. Create enough slack in the T.P. such that when the hoop moves the toilet paper will not tear.
6. Before stitching, slip the second piece of cut-away stabilizer under the hoop to provide extra stability.

7. When the embroidery design is finished, carefully remove the hoop from the machine.
8. Gently tear away the water-soluble stabilizer (you might want to do this before removing the sandwich from the hoop – do what works best for you). Trim the exposed edges of the cut-away stabilizer even with the long edges of the T.P. (this probably will be easier after removing the sandwich from the hoop).
9. Re-roll all the squares back onto the roll so the roll looks fresh and new. Wrap in some kind of transparent material so your handiwork can be enjoyed by all.
10. Of course, if you have problems with the design or stitching, you just tear off the reject squares and try again. I suggest the roll be at least half the original size when giving as a gift.