First, thank you for the lace heart - it's adorable! I've never done FSL before - any hints?

Hints for FSL: Use the same thread for top and bobbin. Since the lace is free-standing, you will see both sides and they should match. ***FSL uses a LOT of thread, so make sure your bobbin is FULL before you start. ***The fabric-type WSS tends to work best, but you can use the other if you use multiple layers. ***Different thread types will give very different looks. Try rayon, polyester, or even 100% cotton (this one looks really neat but the cotton leaves behind a lot of lint, so clean out your machine insides well afterwords). ***Never try to resize FSL, since it will throw off the subtle digitizing dimensions and ruin the design. There isn't much more disappointing than stitching out a FSL design and having it fall apart when you wash out the stabilizer.

Thanks for the hints, gals, I've never done FSL either, but I'm going to have to try it, everyone seems to have such fun with it, and I love your projects! So glad this site has added lace, does this mean I'm going to get addicted to something besides collecting designs? LOL LOL

1 comment

by ruthie 22 Jan 2008

Marji, we could have far worse addictions than collecting designs and embroidering! Have fun with your FSL, the little hearts are so cute.

You will love it! It's so pretty...I tried it for the first time at Christmas with fsl snowflake designs. I had seen the tutorial on Embroidery Library's site and found you need the thicker water soluble stabilizer and used 2ply and the results were beautiful...good luck and enjoy!

Solosew, the tutorial that dlonna recommended is very good. Also I don’t know if you understand about ‘wss’ (water soluble stabiliser). If not, go to page 6 of the questions (see link at the bottom of this page) and click on my question regarding wss (it starts - Forgive my ignorance, but could someone kindly enlighten me as to what 'wss' is…). There’s heaps of info there, and should be of considerable help – it found it all invaluable. All the best with your first attempt at FSL, it’s real fun and always looks so good.

1 comment

by ruthie 21 Jan 2008

Solosew, forgot to say that if you go to 'projects', then page 6 if sorted by most recent, you'll find my project of the FSL star that I made to hang on my Christmas tree. There is a link for the design, it's a freebie. Believe me, once you start making FSL you *will* be hooked! Have fun.

If you go onto emblibrary.com there is a tutorial regarding FSL(free standing lace). This should help you. I have done several items with this, and they always turn out so nice. I use (2) pcs of wash away stabilizer, and place them in opposite directions. Make sure that the stabilizer does not stretch, as this will effect the lace design. Good luck!