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These are instructions on how to embroider the FSL Battenberg Lace Christmas Swirls Appliqué Doily design.
To embroider this type of lace, please read our recommendations first.
Stabilizers: We recommend to use water-soluble mesh, such as Vilene. Vilene D0102 is a non woven dissolvable stabilizer which is imported into the US, is sold in large rolls and is sometimes repackaged under different brand names. Two of these brand names are Wash-Away and Aqua Magic.
Film-like water soluble stabilizers, such as Solvy, are not suitable for the project.
Threads: The thinner the thread, the finer the final product will be. That is why we recommend that at least one of the threads, either in the bobbin or in the needle, should be cotton, which gives bulk to the lace and makes it look hand-made. Embroidery polyester thread will make very fine web-like lace.
Embroidery rayon thread is too soft, it does not keep its shape and very often its color fades under the influence of chemicals from the water-soluble mesh.
If you are using 50- or 60-weight cotton, you can use it both in the bobbin and in the needle. If you use 40-weight cotton thread for the needle, you can use regular polyester bobbin thread.
We used Signature machine quilting cotton thread, but similar threads from other companies should work just as well.
To make the two-sided embroidery use the same thread, or thread of the same color, in the needle and in the bobbin.
Needles: We use size 80/12 embroidery needles and 80/12 metallic needles. Our experience shows that cotton thread used with metallic needles gives less lint. The needles should be sharp, so it's advisable to change them after every project.
Most Importantly: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out of the design and wash away the stabilizer. This helps you to select the threads, needles, stabilizers and settings of your machine correctly. DO NOT embroider several designs in one hoop.
You will need fabric for the applique part, water soluble stabilizer and embroidery threads.
Step One: Hoop a layer of water soluble mesh. Place a piece of fabric for the applique in the center of the hoop over the mesh. Start embroidering. The machine will embroider the outline of the doily's center and stop.
Step Two: Take the hoop from the machine. With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric outside the outline as shown on the picture.
Step Two: The next 4 colors (2 through 5) will embroider the lace. The diagram below shows you the color layers. We embroidered the second and the forth layers in red, the third and the fifth layer in gold metallic.
Use the colors you want. Embroider the lace.
Step Three: Rinse the stabilizer, spread the working piece neatly on a towel and leave to air dry.
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