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These are instructions on how to embroider the FSL Battenberg Lace Doll Shoes Ornament design.
These are our recommendations for embroidering any type of free-standing lace that we offer.
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 packaged 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 for this project we recommend cotton thread, 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 get two-sided embroidery use threads 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 often.
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.
Besides water-soluble mesh and cotton thread, you will also need a piece of polyester craft felt. You can find it in craft departments and stores, it's available in pre-cut sheets in all colors. You will also need a piece of yarn or narrow ribbon for laces.
There are 2 embroidery files in the set. Basically it's the same design and its mirror image. Both files are embroidered in the same way. You need to embroider each file once.
Step One: Upload the first file into your machine. Hoop 2 layers of water-soluble mesh, thread a cotton thread into the needle and start embroidering. The machine will embroider the upper part of the shoe and stop.
Step Two: The second color will embroider the trim. This thread should be either metallic or embroidery polyester. Change the thread and embroider the trim.
Step Three: The third color will make the outline and fill-in of the sole. It can be embroidered in embroidery polyester thread.
Step Four: Place a piece of craft felt on the hoop and start the machine again. It will embroider the sole over the felt. Use embroidery polyester thread in this step.
Step Five: With a pair of shart scissors cut away the excess felt and return the hoop in the machine.
Change the needle thread into a cotton one and finish the embroidery.
Step Six: Rinse the mesh out in luke warm water. Slightly press the embroidery with the paper towel to remove extra water. Leave to air dry.
Step Seven: Thread a needle with the same thread with which you made the lace and manually stitch the shoes uisng the loops on the back. First close the back by stitching the loops on the opposite sides together, as shown in the picture below.
Then connect the loops on the soles with the loops on the upper part of the shoes.
Step Eight: Insert ribbons in the eyelets in front and tie the ends into bows.
To hang the shoes as ornaments, attach a string.
The shoes will fit 18" and 20" dolls.
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