FSL Battenberg Lace Gift Box

These are instructions on how to embroider and assemble the FSL Battenberg Lace Gift Box. This box is best for very small items - jewelry, candy, perfume samples, etc..
The finished size of the box is 3 1/4" high x 4" long x 1 1/4" wide.

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. Some of these brand names are Fabri-Solvy by Sulky, Avalon Plus by Madeira, Wash-Away, and Aqua Magic.

Film-like water soluble stabilizers, such as Solvy by Sulky, Avalon by Madeira and Badge Master are not suitable for Free-Standing Lace embroidery.

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.

For this project we recommend to use 40- or 50-weight cotton thread for machine quilting.

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.

There are 3 embroidery files in the set - file A is for the front and back panels, files B is for the bottom and files C is for the sides.
Embroider all parts using the same thread in the needle and in the bobbin.
Embroider file A twice, file B once, file C twice.

Rinsing away the stabilizer is an important step, because the lace can be stretched or distorted if this is done incorrectly. We recommend to use a foam board and stainless pins.

Cut away the excess stabilizer close to the stitches. Take your time and carefully pin every single loop on the lace's outer edge to the board.

Now place the board into a bowl with luke-warm water. Leave the board in the water for at least half an hour. Change the water a couple of times.

Take the board from the water and leave to air dry. DO not unpin the lace until it's completely dry.

Note: The picture below is not of the Gift Box stitch-outs, it's used to demonsrate how to pin the loops to the foam board.

If needed press the parts. Decorate the panels to your liking with small embellishments such as hot-fix crystals, rhinestones, beads, etc. before you start to assemble the box.

Assembly is done by hand.

Thread a needle with the same thread with which you made the embroidery. Align the sides and the panels. Handstitch the opposite picots (loops) together.

Turn the box upside down. Cover with the bottom. Align the picots (loops) and handstitch them together.