Dear Skippy, I am assuming you are from Australia with an avatar like that. Shirlene is our person who does brilliant Free standing lace, if you wait I'm sure she will be along soon and help out.

Welcome to this wonderful website. At the moment the site is being upgraded and so we can't see everything. Love and blessings Chris

ok Dianne. lets see if i can help you, but first off welcome to cutie and to the world of machine embroidery, i just hope you have a very understanding partner and your pockets are deep as getting designs can be very addictive.
3D projects normally consist of sewing out individual layers and then joining them together.Free standing lace is normally sewn onto water soluble film without any other fabric but many of us like to place organza on top of the water soluble film and baste it in place so that the thread has something to hold in the hoop and. the organza can be eaily removed after by iether snipping with scissors around the edges or holding a hot scewer next to the sewn edge, not touching but simply melting the fringes. I also use this method if i have whiskers left after an item has been satin stiched around the edges.
Once a design has been sewn onto the water soluble film then it is washed gently in warm water to remove the film and so leave only the stitching behind it. A new product called Mylar film is sometimes called for if you want to add a dash of shimmer but if you use the crystal organza then it too will add a slight shimmer and will also give a hint of colour to the end product.
if i am doing simple Free Standing Lace > FSL. then i use overlocking thread as its cheap but light. Ok some machines do not like it but mine loves it so i can get away with it, only thing to say there is try it and see.
Just remember to clean out the machine after doing FSL as the thread causes a lot of dust. A sharp needle is a must for a sharp design.
With all that said. DO NOT BUY DESIGNS RIGHT AWAY. sit down with a jug of tea or coffee and start at the last page of the designs by cute and be ready to make a lot of new folders for the ones you like and download. yes you need time to go through them all but its worth it.
Please say a thank you and leave a flower to the giver of the design.
any more Q's then just ask. I look forward to seeing your first project.
annie in the UK

well you've got the answrs already, so i just add: WELCOME on Cute!!

Welcome to this wonderful site.

Hello Dianne - Welcome to this wonderful family. I was also new to machine embroidery when I started here. I have learnt so much and made so many friends here on Cute. You will soon get help with your question. Sarah (South Africa)

Welcome to the cuties site. You will be glad you stopped in, I am sure.

Welcome to cute. You will love it here.

I see you got a really great answer to your question, so all I can say is welcome to the Cutie family

Dianne, welcome to the CUTE family - I see you have great answers and I didn't read them all - but wanted to know whose designs they are - as each designer has a way that they have digitized the designs to work - some may do the layers - where you stitch out several of the layers in one or more hoops and some may be a FSL and applique method all in one hoop. We all would love to assist you along the way - so if you questions have not been answered - please ask some more. I always use two layers of WSS (water soluble stabilizer) and the same thread in the top and the bobbin with a new needle. You should also have your stabilizer taut in the hoop. Good luck and please share a picture of your PROJECT/s with us.

welcome to cute and all us cuties.....we are just one big happy family of embroiderers and some of us are quilters and some are lace makers and some of us have a wealth of knowledge from our many years of sewing and embroidery......oh, by the way I am a Dianne also...great to have you aboard....

welcome "skippy",Dianne, ,you will get lots of help from these cuties , let us know how you get on with your 3d lacework.

Hi, Dianne........nice to meet you and welcome to the best embroidery site and nicest bunch of people on the web. I might add they are the most knowledgeable as well.....have helped me grow in so many ways.......Vicki

Welcome Dianne.

Hi Dianne,

Welcome.

It seems to me that you sew out top wing piece and then the bottom in a separate hooping and then tape
or tack down top wing on the bottom wing so it doesnt shift and then applique with the little body
satin outline color at the end. Hope it makes sense
and maybe someone can explain it better like Shirlene.
Hugs,
Linda
aka Bumblebee

Welcome to Cute Diane, prepare to be addicted :) Jus

Hi and welcome!!

welcome from Nothern,Ontario carolyn

Hi Dianne -
It looks like you have lots of help on how to create your 3D butterfly. Good luck with it.

WELCOME TO THE CUTE FAMILY! We're a pretty friendly group here, and are very happy you joined us.

In friendship,
Marion in the beautiful state of Kentucky USA

Welcome to cute. The site will get easier after awhile. Hang in there! LOL

Welcome to CUTE, Dianne

Hi Dianne-welcome to cute and machine embroidery! Can't help you with FSL-I don't do it much-but there are plenty of ladies here that do-
Good Luck and happy stitchin' ~linda~

Dianne I see you have your answers. I wanted to welcome you to the "Cute Family". H&*

Welcome to Cute! Our cuties have left you with a lot of information. Ask away ~ we have lots of helpful cuties on 24/7.

wow!!! sounds like another Aussie!!!

Hi Dianne - you might become known as Skippy from now on ... :}

FSL fascinated me, too, when I first began machine embroidery and I was lucky enough to do a workalong with an expert FSL stitcher - Phil of Bargain Embroidery - so I've never had any trouble with this technique and thoroughly enjoy FSL of all kinds.
Shirlene is our resident expert, though.
3D butterfies are just beautiful and I hope you get the hang of it so that you can use them to embellish all kinds of things. There are some lovely 3D designs available.

Welcome aboard - it's a whole lot of fun here as well as information, concern and thoughtfulness for other members.

AlmaG. - South Australia.

Welcome!

Hi Dianne, I'm sure by now you have already stitched these out, with all the advise you have been given.

Just want to say "Welcome to Cute" - hugs Yvonne

A BIG Cuties WELCOME to you!!! Enjoy this site, it is the best! And our Miss Veronika is the sweetest person around... Hugs & Welcome, Judy

Welcome Dianne!

hi dianne and welcome to cute i see by your name you are aussie what poart of the country to do come from....u will have lots of fun and someone will always help you with all your questions

Morning everyone thankyou all for the warm welcome and hopefully in all these great answers I will be able to nut out the 3d butterflies
Hugs Dianne

Hi Dianne, I see you got answers to your question - soo I just Welcome you here among all Cuties! BUT a warning, this is a very addictive ;)