Embroidering Freestanding Lace

Bring your embroidery to life using stunning freestanding lace designs! Follow these helpful instructions to become a master at making the unique type of embroidery, including tips on stabilizer, needle choice, and more.

Project Needs & Notes:

- Water-soluble stabilizer
  (like Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Freestanding lace design
 
This project was featured in the following:
12 Top-Trending Embroidery Styles Lookbook

Most embroidery designs are stitched onto fabric. But freestanding lace designs are specially digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. When that water-soluble stabilizer is removed, beautiful lace remains behind.

There are a couple of different kinds of water-soluble stabilizer. One is clear and plastic, and that brand is Sulky Ultra Solvy. The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene.

Both will work very well. Vilene is used in this demonstration.

Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. That means it will make smaller holes in the stabilizer

Freestanding lace is seen from both sides, so wind a bobbin with the same thread that you're using in the needle.

Hoop the stabilizer firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

Use 40 weight rayon or polyester thread. You can also use 30 weight cotton or metallic thread for most freestanding lace designs.

After embroidering, cut the excess stabilizer away.

The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing the excess. For Vilene, soak the lace pieces for a few moments.

Air dry, and press.

A storm of snowflakes is a lovely way to decorate windows in winter, or Christmas trees. Freestanding lace can also come in many other variations, such as bookmarks, coasters, and more.