Freestanding Chrysanthemum Earring Set

These are instructions on how to embroider the Freestanding Chrysanthemum Earrings.
There are 4 files in the set with designs of slightly different sizes and motifs. By using the different shapes, sizes, colors and embellishments you can get unlimitted varieties of fashionable earrings.

	Size: 46 mm x 46 mm (1.8" x 1.8") Stitches: 5048 Colors: 1
Size: 57 mm x 57 mm (2.24" x 224") Stitches: 6220 Colors: 1
	Size: 45 mm x 45 mm (1.7" x 1.7") Stitches: 5725 Colors: 1
Size: 55 mm x 55 mm (2.16" x 2.16") Stitches: 6971 Colors: 1

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 packaged under different brand names. Some of these brand names are Fabri-Solvy by Sulky, Avalon Plus by Madeira, Wash-Away, and Aqua Magic.

You can also use film-like water soluble stabilizers, such as Solvy by Sulky, Avalon by Madeira and Badge Master. However, be very careful when hooping, and use several layers of film stabilizer.

Threads: For this project we recommend to use embroidery threads made of rayon or polyester.

To get two-sided embroidery, use threads of the same color in the needle and in the bobbin.

Needles: We used size 80/12 embroidery needles and 80/12 metallic needles for metallic thread.

Most Importantly: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out and wash away the stabilizer. This helps you to select the threads, needles, stabilizers and settings of your machine correctly. It's very important to select the correct thread tension!

Washing out the Stabilizer:

Rinsing away the stabilizer is an important step, because the stitch-outs can be stretched or distorted if this is done incorrectly. We recommend to use a foam board and stainless pins.

Cut away the excess stabilizer close to the stitches. Take your time and carefully pin the outer edges of the stitch-outs to the board.

Now place the board into a bowl with luke-warm water.

Take the board out of the water and leave to air dry.

Making Earrings, Pins or Brooches

Besides embroidery threads and watersoluble stabilizer, you will need earring wire, base pins for hairpins or brooches, fabric glue or sewing needle and thread, and all kinds of beads for embellishment.

Here are some ideas on how to use the stitch-outs.

Emroider the designs and let the stitch-outs dry. Prepare your embellishments.

For a simple dangle earring, you can take one of the embroidered motifs and use a large bead for the inner opening. Add some dangle beads to the lower edge.

For 3D earrings we used two stitch-outs of different colors, a large bead (larger than the inner opening) and earring wire.

Position the bead between 2 stitch-outs as in a cage. If the bead is not large enough, sew it to one of the stitch-outs. Sew (or connect with strings or wire) the edges together. Attach the earring wire.

You can use soutage string or narrow ribbons to connect the stitch-outs, through the outer edges, as you can see on the photo below. Pink and white earrings and/or brooches decorated with pearls are a great match for a wedding dress

We hope that you liked our ideas and will come up with many of your own. Enjoy!

Back to Freestanding Chrysanthemum Earrings.