The Crocus Cutwork Lace Border is a set of 2 designs available in 2 sizes: for the large 5" x 7" (130 x 180 mm) hoop, and for the mega 6" x 8" (150 x 200 mm) hoop.
Large Hoop:
Size: 106 x 179 mm
Stitches: 18 742
Colors: 1
Stops: 2
Mega Hoop:
Size: 139 x 251 mm
Stitches: 26716
Colors: 1
Stops: 2
Large Hoop:
98 x 137 mm
Stitches: 15304
Colors: 1
Stops: 2
Mega Hoop:
Size: 130 x 189 mm
Stitches: 21 962
Colors: 1
Stops: 2
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.
The design can be embroidered as an insert or free-standing ornament.
Both parts are embroidered in the same way.
Step One: Hoop the layer of water soluble mesh. Embroider the first color (it's an outline of the design).
Step Two: Cover the outline with a piece of fabric. Start the machine, it will embroider the same outline over the fabric.
Step Three: Take the hoop from the machine. With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric outside the outline around the flowers as shown on the picture below.
Step Four: Return the hoop to the machine and finish embroidering. Wash away the stabilizer and leave to air dry. Press with steam if needed.
Step Five: Embroider the second part in the same way.
Step Six: Wash away the stabilizer and leave to air dry. Press with steam if needed.
Step Seven: Overlap the parts and using the same thread with which you made the embroidery, zig-zag both parts together.
Making the Doilies.
With the crocus border you can some very attractive doilies. The finished size of the larger doily (with the designs for the mega hoop) is about 13" in diameter, the smaller doily is about 11" in diameter.
For the doily you will need 2 borders, so you need to embroider each file twice.
Lay out the finished borders on a piece of fabric. Pin.
Thread your machine with the threads you used for embroidery and, using short but NOT dense zigzag, stitch along the inner edge of the lace frame.
Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut away the excess fabric from under the lace.
Return to your sewing machine and using a very dense zigzag, of the same width as the lace edge, stitch over the edge of the stitch-outs. Continue to use the same thread with which you embroidered the design.
Happy Embroidering!