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The FSL Battenberg Lace Mary Jane Shoes for American Girl Doll is a set of 2 designs in one file for the large (5" x 7") hoop.
To make the shoes, your need cotton embroidery threads, water soluble mesh, scraps of polyester felt and 2 small buttons or beads. You can also use any small embellishments that you like.
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: For this project we recommend to use cotton thread both in the bobbin and in the needle. Cotton gives bulk to the lace and makes it look hand-made.
Embroidery polyester and rayon threads will make very fine web-like lace, which will not fall apart, but is not very beautiful.
You can use 40-, 50- or even 60-weight cotton. If you use 40-weight cotton thread for the needle, you can use 50- or 60-weight cotton in the bobbin.
We used Signature machine quilting cotton thread both in the needle and in the bobbin, but similar threads from other companies should work just as well.
Clean your machine from lint after embroidering each part.
Needles: We used 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 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.
Check the tension! The embroidered lace parts should be of the same size as given in the description on the design page.
Step One: Upload the file into the machine.
Hoop 2 layers of water-soluble mesh and lay a piece of felt over the mesh.
Start embroidering. The machine will embroider a shape of a sole and stop.
Step Two: With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric close to the stitches.
Step Three: Start the machine and go on embroidering the file.
Step Four: Flip the file and embroider its mirror image in the same way.
Rinse the stabilizer and leave to air dry. While the lace is still wet, slightly stretch it to prevent shrinkage and give it shape.
Press all parts with steam. On your working table, lay out the designs.
You will have to join the parts manually. Use the same thread with which you made the embroidery. Connect the lace parts by the loops.
First connect the sides of the upper part of the shoes. Then attach the upper parts to the soles.
Fold the straps and attach small buttons or beads to button the straps.
Embellish the front of the soles as you like.
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