Is there anyone that is experienced with embroidering Lace? Is there instructions on how to do this?

Join TheLacePlace Yahoo group for free tutorials and shared designs.

I agree with clawton about the website to refer to for FSL instructions. They are my second favourite website (after this one, of course). However, I think you might have a problem with the link as it should be www.emblibrary.com Try that and it should work. Also, I use a stabilizer called H2OGone and it is wonderful for FSL. It resembles cheesecloth in texture but is very stable. Unless the lace is very dense, you only need one layer. Unlike the problem that occurs with Solvy and those types of stabilizer where the plastic will separate if the needle punctures one area too many times, I have never had this happen with H20Gone and I do a ton of FSL especially at Christmas. By the way, the Embroidery Library website is one of the best for FSL designs and at a very reasonable price. In addition, when you become a customer, they send an email advising of regular weekly sales and you can pick up designs that run for $5 to $6 for a buck or two. I would never recommend using cheesecloth as a stabilizer as it is just not stable enough, inexpensive but won't give a satisfactory result in my mind. And of course, it won't disolve in the water either. Sorry I've rambled on but hope this helps.

I hope we are allowed to mention other sites. Try Ken's Corner at EmbroiderLibrary.com for specific direction on a number of topics. If you use the heavy weight WSS or 4X weight you should not have to use two thicknesses. There are a lot of brands out there. Most of the time I use Ultra solvy by Sulky. But you will need to experiment with the brands that you have available in your area.

I tried doing a search in Ask.com and this is what I found..I dont know if it will help you or not.http://lace.lacefairy.com/ID/Mach...

Hi i have not done any lace yet but friends have they hoop up 2 or three layers of water soluble stabilizer and stitch out the design use matching bobbin thread. once stitched out soak in warm water if design requires stiffness like free standing do not soak too long to leave stabilizer in design to act like starch. if doing a soft design soak in warm water until stabilizer is completely removed
hope this helps sorry i am yet to try one
Good Luck

There have been lots of hints and tips in previous posts here, if you take a look. One thing that I don't remember being mentioned is that there are two types of lace that you can get and embroider. There are lace designs and then there is FSL (free-standing lace). FSL has had a lot more digitizing work done on it so that it will be able to "stand free" when you rinse away the water-soluble stabilizer that you would stitch it on. Lace designs, on the other hand, are just lovely designs that resemble lace, but need some sort of permanant stabilizing material for them to stay together. If you stitch these type of designs on a sheer material (organza, for instance), you can cut them out and have them appear to be independant lace pieces, but they would just fall into a mess of thread if you tried to do them as FSL. I hope that you have fun as you attempt embroidering lace. It can be a great thing to do.

1 comment

by jrob 26 Jan 2008

Funny you should mention that, my first attempt at FSL not knowing the difference I used a lace design then got in a hurry to rinse and used the sprayer on my sink....it was really comical at the pile of thread that was left limply lying in the bottom of the sink! lol.....;)

FSL is very fun to stitch out - first you need two layers of WSS (water soluable stabilizer) (washaway) - the same thread in the bobbin as the top and make sure that your stablizer is in the hoop tight. Stitch away and in a matter of minutes you will have your project to where you can wash away the stabilizer and allow it to dry - I usually blot mine between two towels or wash clothes and then air dry or use a hair dryer if I can't wait. Enjoy!

2 comments

by puppyjo 24 Jan 2008

we dont have anyplace to get fabric.its too too cold to goto nearest big city.iwas wonderingif cheesclothe would workfor forpermament satbalizwe.or atleast topractice. thanks

by ruthie 25 Jan 2008

puppyjo, I can't imagine it ever being too cold to shop!!! I live in a temperate zone, although we did have *snow* last winter - and it lasted a whole *30 minutes*. To answer your question, stabiliser must be non-stretch, so if the cheesecloth is stretchy, then no it isn't suitable. I have heard of people using paper as stabiliser, but I don't know what kind and haven't tried it myself. If you do try paper I would be interested in knowing the result. All the best and I hope it warms up very soon, I just can't imagine not being able to shop, I'm having a meltdown just thinking about it!