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Butterfly Cutwork Lace Doily

The Butterfly Cutwork Lace Doily is available in 3 sizes: for the large hoop (5" x 7" or 130 x 180 mm), for mega hoop (6" x 6" or 150 x 150 mm) and for commercial hoop (8" x 8" or 200 x 200 mm).

There are 3 parts in each set. They are stitched out separately and then sewed together.

Large Hoop:
Part 1:
Size: 125 x 125 mm
Stitches: 41,689
Part 2:
Size: 72 x 72 mm
Stitches: 6,674
Part 3:
Size: 64 x 33 mm
Stitches: 3,014

Mega Hoop:
Part 1:
Size: 149 x 149 mm
Stitches: 51,011
Part 2:
Size: 86 x 86 mm
Stitches: 8,039
Part 3:
Size: 77 x 39 mm
Stitches: 3,744

Commercial Hoop:
Part 1:
Size: 192 x 192 mm
Stitches: 63,097
Part 2:
Size: 111 x 111mm
Stitches: 10,428
Part 3:
Size: 96 x 50 mm
Stitches: 5,045

You will need fabric, water soluble mesh and embroidery threads.

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.

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

40-weight embroidery polyester threads are preferred for the project.
Cotton thread is not suitable because the embroidery will be too bulky.
Rayon thread is softer and more sensitive to the chemicals in the water-soluble mesh. We do not like to use rayon thread for cutwork lace projects.

Please note: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out on scrap before you make a stitch-out on the real item.

Embroidery:

All parts are embroidered in the same way. You need to embroider the central part (file 1) once, and parts 2 and 3 four times each.

Step One: Hoop 2 layers of water soluble mesh. Embroider the first color, which outlines the central area and show you where to place the fabric.

Step Two: Cover the outline with a piece of fabric. Start the machine. It will embroider the outlines of the small square and flowers.

Step Three: Take the hoop from the machine. With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric around the embroidered outlines.

Step Three: Return the hoop to the machine and finish embroidering.

Repeat these steps for parts 2 and 3 of the doily.

Assembly of the Doily:

Cut away the mesh around the stitch-outs. Position the butterflies in the corners of the central square. Pin them in place. Using the same thread with which you made the embroidery and zig-zag stitch, either by hand or on your machine, sew the butterflies in place.