Butterfly Table Topper with Crochet Lace

For this table topper we used the machine embroidery designs from the Butterfly Sets and crochet-style FSL designs from the Geometric Crochet Border set.

You will need a 30" x 30" piece of cotton or linen fabric (we used heavy-weight linen), water-soluble Vilene stabilizer, 40-weight rayon embroidery threads and 50-weight cotton embroidery threads for the lace. The finished size of the table topper is about 34" x 34".

Step One: Choose the butterflies for the table topper and embroider them in a circle on the fabric insert.

Before proceeding to step two, please read the General Guidelines and Step-by-Step Guide to Embroidering our Crochet-Style FSL designs.

Step Two: Embroider the corner design four times.
Embroider the border design 5 times for each side, 20 designs in all.

Trim the stabilizer close to the designs, leaving at least 3/4" around each design. DO NOT dissolve the stabilizer now.

Please read the Step-by-Step Guide to Assembling Crochet-Style FSL Designs into a Project first.

Step Three: Lay out the FSL patterns to make a square lace frame - four corners and five border parts between each corner. Machine-stitch them together, using narrow but not very dense zigzag. Use the SAME thread with which you embroidered the lace.

Step Four: Place the lace frame over the embroidered insert. Align so that the butterfly circle is centered within the frame. Secure with pins. Using short and very dense zigzag (satin stitch), stitch the lace square frame to the fabric. Use the SAME thread with which you embroidered the lace.
Cut away the excess fabric from under the lace.

Step Four: You can now go ahead and dissolve the water-soluble stabilizer. Place the table topper into a bowl of warm water; change the water several times. So that the table topper dries evenly, spread it on a flat surface and let it air dry. Then iron with steam.

The table topper is ready. Enjoy!

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