FSL Battenberg Lapel Lace Collar

The FSL Battenberg Lapel Lace Collar is one design. Embroidered twice, it makes beautiful lace lapels.

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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 Free-Standing Lace embroidery.

Threads: The thinner the thread, the finer the final product will be. 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 rayon or polyester threads will make very fine and soft lace.

For collars, we recommend 50- or 60-weight cotton. You can use it both in the bobbin and in the needle or in combination with pre-wound polyester bobbins. You can also use 40-weight embroidery rayon in combination with either pre-wound polyester or cotton bobbins.

Needles: We use size 80/12 embroidery needles and 80/12 metallic needles. In our experience, 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.

The collar has two colors. However, you can make it in one color, if you like.

Choose threads for the collar. Make a test stitch-out of the design. If you are satisfied with the results, embroider the design once. Then, make a mirror image of the file on the screen of your machine and embroider it again.

Cut away the excess stabilizer and wash away the remainder. Use only luke-warm water. Hot water can make the lace shrink and the chemicals in the stabilizer can make the rayon dyes run.

Spread the wet lace on a towel neatly and leave to air dry. Press with steam, if needed.

We embroidered the collar in one color and embellished a simple sweater. The collar is made of 60-weight Mettler cotton thread both in the needle and the bobbin.