The FSL Battenberg Poinsettia Lace is a freestanding machine embroidery design which we offer in 2 sizes - for Small ( 4" x 4") and Large (5"x 7") hoops. It should be embroidered several times and assembled into a circular edge lace.
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 rayon or polyester threads will make very fine and soft lace.
For our samples we used embroidery polyester in the needle and prewound polyester bobbins.
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.
The finished size of the doily with the Small Poinsettia is about 10" in diameter. You will need a piece of fabric measuring about 8" x 8".
The finished size of the doily with the large poinsettia is about 18" in diameter. You will need a piece of fabric measuring about 13"x 13".
Step One: Make a test stitch-out of the design. If you are satisfied with the results, embroider the file nine times.
Rinse the stabilizer and leave to air dry.
Press all parts with steam. On your working table, lay out the designs in a circle.
Manually, join the parts in the places marked in red. Use the same thread with which you made the embroidery.
Step Two: Place the lace frame on a piece of fabric and pin in place.
Step Three: With a straight stitch along the inner outline of the lace, attach the lace to the fabric.
Step Four: With a pair of sharp scissors cut away the excess fabric close to the stitch.
Step Five: Return to your sewing machine and using short and dense zig-zag, stitch over the raw edge of the fabric from the wrong side. In the bobbin, use thread of matching color! Our poinsettias are white, so we used a white bobbin thread.