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These are instructions on how to embroider the designs from the FSL Battenberg Lace Miniature Set and decorate a summer blouse with them.
There are 4 summer themed miniatures in the set: two butterflies, a dragonfly and a flower.
To embroider this type of lace, please read our recommendations first.
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. That is why 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 polyester thread will make very fine web-like lace.
Embroidery rayon thread is too soft, it does not keep its shape and very often its color fades under the influence of chemicals from the water-soluble mesh.
If you are using 50- or 60-weight cotton, you can use it both in the bobbin and in the needle. If you use 40-weight cotton thread for the needle, you can use regular polyester bobbin thread.
We used Signature machine quilting cotton thread, but similar threads from other companies should work just as well.
Needles: We use 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.
There are 4 summer themed miniatures in the set: two butterflies, a dragonfly and a flower. You will get 2 versions of the same design, 8 embroidery files in all.
The files named "Butterfly1", Butterfly2", "Dragonfly" and "Flower" should be embroidered as regular freestanding files:
1. Hoop 2 layers of watersoluble mesh and embroider the files in cotton thread of any color.
2. Wash away the stabilizer in cool water. Leave to air dry. Press if needed.
The miniatures can be used as freestanding decorative elements.
The files with the names ending in "Ins" are embroidered on fabric.
Step One: Hoop the base fabric with a layer of watersoluble mesh.
Start the machine. The machine will embroider the outline of a miniature and stop.
Step Two: With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the fabric inside the outline as close to the stitches as possible. Take care not to cut through the stitches.
Step Three: Return the hoop to the machine and finish the embroidery.
Step Four: Rinse the stabilizer in lukewarm water and leave to air dry. To make the lace soft, leave it in a bowl of water for an hour. Change water several times.
Neatly spread on a towel, very slightly pull to prevent extra shrinckage. Leave to air dry.
The miniatures can be used to embellish garments, curtains, tablelinen, etc. Here is an example of using the miniatures on a summer top.
Print out the snapshots of the designs and place them on your blouse.
When you are satisfied with the arrangement, mark the center of each design.
Please note that your blouse should be of non-fraying and/or non-stretching fabric. If the fabric is fraying and/or stretching (e.g. knits), better embroider the miniatures of the first version and then sew them on the garment.
Embroider the designs one by one as described above.
Rinse the stabilizer in lukewarm water. To make the lace soft, leave it in a bowl of water for an hour. Change water several times. Do not squeeze the garment.
Put on a hanger and leave to air dry.
Press if needed.
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