Embroider a freestanding lace ribbon design onto water-soluble stabilizer, fold to make a ribbon, then glue onto a pin to show your pride, awareness, and support.
Supplies & Materials:
Supplies needed:
- Water-soluble stabilizer (we use Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Paper towels
- Fabric glue or needle and thread
Special Project Notes:
You can use either 40 weight rayon thread or 30 - 35 weight cotton thread.
I use Coats and Clark 30 and 35 weight cotton thread. It's labeled as Mercerized ELS Cotton for Machine Quilting & Crafts; Machine Quilting; or All Purpose. I find Coats and Clark cotton thread at JoAnn's. I've also used Madeira Cotona, which is a 30 weight cotton thread.
I use the 30 - 35 weight cotton thread both in the bobbin (I wind my own bobbins) and in the top (needle).
A note about water-soluble stabilizers and needles:
There are many, many different brands of water-soluble stabilizer available. Some are thin and light, some are fibrous, and some are thick and heavy. It can be confusing to pick the right one for your lace project.
We've digitized and stitched thousands of freestanding lace designs, and have consistently excellent results with Sulky Ultra Solvy (the heavy weight water-soluble stabilizer by Sulky) and Vilene, a fibrous water-soluble stabilizer. We order Vilene from www.pointetopointe.com.
Use a sharp needle (as opposed to an embroidery needle) when embroidering onto water-soluble stabilizer - especially if using the "plastic-looking" kind (such as Sulky Ultra Solvy). An embroidery needle has a larger point, which makes larger holes in the water-soluble stabilizer, leading to tearing and misalignment.
Start Embroidering:
First, embroider the ribbon design. Hoop one piece of heavy weight, water-soluble stabilizer (WSS).
We used Sulky Ultra Solvy. Kenny tested different brands of WSS to see which works best. To see how different brands hold up when used with freestanding lace, click here.
Because freestanding lace is two-sided, the bobbin thread should match the top thread. Wind a bobbin with the same thread that you'll be using in the needle.
You can use 40 weight rayon or polyester thread, or 30-35 weight cotton.
Attach the hoop to the machine and embroider the design. We use a size 11 sharp needle when sewing freestanding lace.
If you are working with the two-piece ribbon design, embroider both pieces of the design.
After finishing the design, unhoop the WSS and cut away the excess. Trim as close to the embroidery as possible without cutting any of the stitches.
Set the scraps of WSS aside. You can piece the larger pieces together by wetting your fingers and running them along the edges; or put scraps in a spray bottle and add water to make spray starch.
Soak the lace according to WSS package instructions.
For Sulky Ultra Solvy, soak the lace piece in hot tap water for about 15 minutes, or until the stabilizer is removed.
If you are working with the two-piece ribbon, lay the two pieces end to end as shown, with the pointed ends facing out.
Sew the pieces together with a zigzag stitch.
To form the finished ribbon, hold the lace with the right side towards you, and the points up.
Bring one side down over the other to form a loop.
(Kenny's note: When I was making this ribbon, I checked to see if there's a particular way to wear it, either right over left, or left over right. I found both ways. If you have a rule and a reason for how a ribbon should be worn, let us know! Send an e-mail to us at stitch@emblibrary.com).
Place a drop of fabric glue under the overlap and press in place. Or, sew the ribbon with a couple of hand stitches.
Get Inspired:
Add a jewelry pin to the back, and wear with pride!
