I just downloaded a coaster alphabet design from the Cuties . It is free standing lace which I have never used before. What do i need to complete this project? Thanks a lot for any tips given to me.

I see that you have already gotten excellent adviece regarding the FSL. All I can add is: IT IS VERY ADDICTIVE>>>> I love doing FSL and enjoy every minute of it. ***** Please show your project when you have finished it, as we would love to see it.****

One last tip for FSL Embroidery.
I use strips of Shelf liner adhered to the bottom of my inner hoop with Wonder Tape which is a water soluble, 2 sided tape.

The Shlef Liner strips hold the water soluble stabilizer tight in the hoop so it is not pulled into the middle of the hoop while I stitch FSL.

This prevents problems with the final satin stitches not lining up to the rest of the FSL stitches in the design which can ruin a FSL design.

The link below shows how to apply the strips of Shelf Liner to the bottom of the inner hoop.
It shows what the Wonder tape looks like too.
It also shows Badgemaster water soluble stavilizer hooped using the shelf liner strips on the hoop.

The Wonder Tape is usually found in Sewing or Quilting Stores or Machine Dealer stores in the Notions section or can be found online.
The Shelf Liner can be found in Dollar stores or stores such as Walmart.

I leave this on all my hoops for all embroidery on any fabric or stabilizers and fabric.
It works really great.

You can click each picture to see a close up look of each. Click link below.

EastWitch2

Be cautious with the FSL it's very addictive. Haha
Have have we know you'll love it. The Cuties have given you great advice as usual. hugs, Susan

you will need:

A water soluble stabilizer which could be a heavy weight Film type of water soluble such as Badgemaster or Ultra Solvy.

Or a Fibrous Type of water soluble such as Vilene water soluble, or Wash Away, or Wet N Gone, or Aqua Magic, or H2OGone.

You will use 1 or 2 layers of the water soluble stabilizer depending on the stitch count of the FSL design.

Most prefer to use the Fibrous type of waters soluble stabilizers to stitch FSLace as it does not punch out or rip while stitching.

A sharp point embroidery needle size 75/11 or 80/12.
Make sure to start with a new needle and change to a new one often when stitching FSL.

Most FSL designs require a 40 weight embroidery thread for top thread and for the bobbin thread.
This can be 40 weight Polyester or Rayon embroidery thread.
This means you will wind your own bobbins with the top thread to match the top thread you will be using.

If you can slow your machine speed down a little bit when stitching FSL as this helps the stitches form right.

I love Vilene, and now that is all I use for FSL.

If you purchase water soluble stabilizer by Sulky, make sure you get Ultra Solvy, not just Solvy, which is only good as a topping. (Way too thin.)
Jo

With FSL - you need: WSS (water soluable stabilizer) a hoop closest to the size of the design, embroidery thread for the top and bobbin, a needle that is between a 12 & 14 for most designs and stitch away. Once it is stitched you cut out the design from the stabilizer close but not too close to clip the threads - then rinse in warm/hot water - until the stabilizer is rinsed out - it is slimmy when it 1st hits the water - but don't worry about that - then place it between two piece of terry and get most of the water out - then flatten it on a surface and allow to dry - if you are in a hurry as I always am - take a hair dryer and blow it dry. Have fun.

2 comments

by cathleen 18 Jun 2012

Thank you .. I read that you use tulle sandwiched between two layers of water soluable. Does that sound correct to you?

by crafter2243 18 Jun 2012

With FSL you don't need tulle but I would use the cloth like looking WSS like Vilene and not the clear one.