Help please, when you have done a lace design and wet it, what is the best way to keep the shape and let it dry. I have just started to try a few lace designs and I have Medara wss. but I am not happy with the results.I post an example, this card I made, the bottom left hand flower was very bad. Hugs Pam.

Just one more! Don't do what I did. Imade a blaxk lace bowl and wanteed it to be quite stiff so I only just rinsed it out. I dried it on a white towel! Of course it stuck to the towel and I had all small bits stuck on the bowl. I got most of it off by washing it again but by then it was not stiff enough.
So when drying put it on somithing smooth like cotton.

I rinse mine in warm water and lay on my dryer over night ,then in the morning i press them with the iron if needed hugs and keep trying

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by justsew 21 Jan 2012

Thank you for your help, I now know that I used a Lace pattern instead of FSL. But at least My Neice who was receiving The Queens Award for Guiding, did not notice she loved it. Hugs Pam.

It does appear that these may not have been FSL. You could try them again with tuel as a stabilizing fabric or organza (nylon type) and see how they turn out. Also, you are you using the plastic wss or the fabric type? The fabric wss is the best, I understand, for FSL. Keep trying and share your results. Would like to know what you figure out.

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by justsew 21 Jan 2012

Thank you for yoyr help, you are right, it was just Lace I did not know there was a diference, I thought FSL was things like a bowl are an angel for the Christmas tree. That is why the butterflys turned out ok, they were FSL.
Hugs Pam.

Pam, check and see if your designer has used the words FSL (free standing lace) or just lace - it it is just lace - it isn't made strong enough to be used as a FSL item - another thing that you can do - is rinse your FSL - lay flat and put something that you can see your FSL under - like a comb or something flat to lay on top of it to hold it flat and use your hair dryer to quickly dry it and you will enjoy your work faster and know - if it needs to be stitched again - if it does - this one that didn't work - is only thread and it isn't so hard to just toss away. Keep on stitching and sharing your itmes in the PROJECT section of CUTE.

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by justsew 21 Jan 2012

Thank you, you are right and that is why the butterflys turned out ok. I did not know the difference. all these shortend words I am learning every day, I have my next project stitched out ready for wetting and I am pleased to say it is FSL.I will try your idea with the hairdryer. Hugs Pam.

The leaves don't really look like the were suppose to be free standing lace but when mine aren't perfect when dry I put a cloth under and on top of it and press with my iron steam or do it when they are almost dry. I use a cloth because I had red dye from thread end up on my iron sole plate.

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by justsew 21 Jan 2012

Thank you for The help, you are right, I did not know that there was a diference between fsl and lace. I do now.. I will try again. Hugs Pam.

It looks to me like the pattern might NOT have been FSL for the leaves. It isn't "connected" like it needs to be, so when you washed out the stabalizer you got a lot of thread! Recheck that pattern! Also might just not have stitched completely out and you thought it was done??? Just a thought. Linda

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by justsew 21 Jan 2012

Yes you are right, I Know the difference now, I will know for my next project. Hugs Pam.

WOW This looks terrific! as for the question I use a partially filled water bottle on top of my pc or laying down if multiples,hope this helps

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by justsew 20 Jan 2012

Thank you for the help , the left hand side were beautiful leaf shaped, now wiggly none shape.the top butterflyes turned out ok, and I stitched some angalina strands into the flower head, (not tryed before).But the left hand side lace is so out of shape.