Freshen your fall decor with a beautiful Battenburg lace leaf doily. Get our best tips and tricks for how to embroider each of the leaves, then learn how to transform them into an elegant doily!
his tutorial features the medium sizes of all the three leaf designs below, but you could also just use one of the leaf designs (all the same size) to make this doily
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Sizing Notes:
Each leaf is available in three sizes.
These are the sizing notes for when all of the same shape is used.
Maple Leaf (Battenburg Lace)
Large: 14 3/8" in diameter
Medium: 12" in diameter
Small: 7" in diameter
Oak Leaf (Battenburg Lace)
Large: 16" in diameter
Medium: 13 1/4" in diameter
Small: 7 5/8" in diameter
Fig Leaf (Battenburg Lace)
Large: 15" in diameter
Medium: 12 1/2" in diameter
Small: 7 1/4" in diameter
Supplies & Materials:
- Water-soluble stabilizer
(Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- 30-35 weight cotton thread
- Size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle
The designs used in this tutorial include:
Battenburg lace designs are embroidered onto water-soluble stabilizer. When the stabilizer is soaked away, beautiful lace remains behind.
Use 30-35 weight cotton thread when embroidering Battenburg lace designs.
The thread is found under different names, like mercerized cotton or all-purpose cotton.
You will use the same thread in both the top and the bobbin. Wind a bobbin with the cotton thread.
Two kinds of water-soluble stabilizer can be used when embroidering freestanding lace. One is clear and plastic-like, known as Sulky Ultra Solvy.
The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene. Both kinds will work very well.
This tutorial uses Sulky Ultra Solvy.
Embroider the design onto one piece of water-soluble stabilizer, using a sharp sewing needle (size 11 or 75/11).
At each color stop, stop the machine and change the bobbin to match the top thread.
After embroidering, trim the excess stabilizer away.
Soak the remaining stabilizer away according to packaging instructions.
Blot and allow to air dry completely.
Press, and use a pressing cloth over the lace to prevent scorching.
The finished piece makes a lovely table or window decoration. You can also use it on pillows, wall hangings, and garments, for extra interest and texture.
To make a doily, embroider six leaves. You can use all of one shape, or mix and match the shapes.
Place the pieces right sides facing up. Align the bottom corners of the stems together, and the sides of the leaves, as shown.
Zigzag stitch the pieces together where the lace pieces touch. Use the same cotton thread as you used to embroider the designs.
Repeat the process to add the remaining four leaves.
Use alternative leaves as a brilliant way to add a variety of color and interest to your doily. Or, you can use all of the same type of leaf for an elegant look.
Use your doily on a dining room table, coffee table, bookshelf, or end table as a great way to decorate for the fall. Pick colors to match your decor scheme, or to add an autumn look to your home.
