FSL Crocus Square Doily

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For this doily, we used the freestanding lace designs from the FSL Crocus Square Doily set and a cross-stitch design from the Periwinkle Linen Set.
The FSL part of the set is embroidered in the same way as our FSL ornaments, so please read the General Guidelines first.

Some points to remember from the General Guidelines:
Use Vilene water soluble stabilizer;
Use the same thread for the upper and bobbin to get two-sided embroidery.
DO NOT embroider several designs in one hoop.

You will need Vilene water soluble stabilizer, 40-weight embroidery threads and a 13" x 13" piece of linen fabric. You can also use 14-count linen Aida. The finished size of the doily is about 20" x 20".

Step One: Pre-wash the fabric. Embroider the fabric insert, trim the jumps and set it aside for a while. Any water-soluble stabilizer can be used for stabilizing the fabric, but we used Vilene. Dissolve the stabilizer and leave the fabric to air dry.

Step Two: Embroider the FSL parts:
the large flower - four times;
the corner bouquet - two times the original image and two times its mirror image;
the connecting pieces - four times the original image and four times its mirror image.

Use 2 layers of Vilene-type water-soluble stabilizer. To get 2-sided embroidery, use thread of the same color for both the needle and bobbin. Rinse the stabilizer and leave to air dry.

Impotant Note: It's very important to use as small a hoop as possible. E.g. if your design is for a small hoop, use the small hoop, not the large one; if your design is for a large hoop, use large, not mega. Do not try to embroider several freestanding lace designs in one hoop. This is because all water-soluble stabilizers stretch, and in a bigger hoop, it's going to stretch more. This can lead to the design falling apart after the stabilizer is dissolved. It's always better to embroider one part at a time.

Step Two: Press all parts with steam. On your working table, lay out the designs in the following order (starting at a corner and going clockwise): corner bouquet - connecting part - large flower - connecting part (mirror image) - corner bouquet (mirror image). Repeat the same order, for all the sides.

Thread a needle with the same thread that you used for the embroidery and stitch together the parts. You can do this either manually or on your machine. You will get a square lace frame.

Step Three: Place the lace frame over the embroidered fabric. Secure in place with pins.

Step Four: 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, shown in red.

Step Five: Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut away the excess fabric from under the lace.

Step Six: Return to your machine and using a very dense zigzag, of the same width as the lace edge, stitch along the edge of the fabric. Continue to use the same thread with which you embroidered the design.