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Table Linen with Battenberg Whirlpool Lace

The FSL Battenberg Whirlpool Lace Motif is a hexagon design for large (5" x 7") hoops. The versatile shape of the pattern allows you to create beautiful table linens of all shapes and sizes.

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 weblike 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 watersoluble 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.

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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.

Making Table Linen with the Whirlpool Lace Motif

Hexagon motifs can be assembled into lace linen or used as edge lace with fabric inserts.

The smallest doily can be assembled out of 6 motifs. For the center, you can use a seventh hexagon, or a piece of fabric.

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A larger doily of an unusual triangle shape can be sewn out of 12 motifs.

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Our doily is made out of 14 motifs. Its finished size is 20" wide by 28" long.

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Step One: Make a test stitch-out of the file. If you are satisfied with the results, embroider the file fourteen times.

Rinse the stabilizer and leave to air dry.

Press all parts with steam. On your working table, lay out the designs in a shape.

Manually, join the parts by the loops. Use the same thread with which you made the embroidery.

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Step Two: Place the lace frame on a piece of fabric and pin in place.

For the doily, we cut out a piece of white linen about 19" x 26" and made the embroidery of the Poinsettia in the center of the piece before we attached the lace.