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This 3D Lace Cowgirl Hat Ornament will dress up your Christmas tree, or even your rearview mirror, with cowgirl attitude and flair!
With or without the rhinestone and feather embellishments, this is a stunning 3D lace design. You'll be surprised by how three freestanding lace pieces come together to make this sassy little hat.
Make one for you and a few more for your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, and all the other cowgirls in your life. Or sew a cowgirl and cowboy version of this ornament for your favorite couple that loves country music, riding horses, and life on the open range.
Supplies
Supplies needed:
** Water-Soluble Stabilizer
** Paper towels
** Needle and thread for some hand sewing
** Craft thread or yarn for the hanger
** Tapestry needle
** 3/8 inch wide ribbon
** 18mm rhinestones
** Small feather
Design Used:
** 3D Lace Cowgirl Hat
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.
Finished Size: approximately 3.8" x 2".
Designs Used
Hoop one piece of water-soluble stabilizer (WSS)
Wind a bobbin with the same color thread as the top thread, as both will be seen in the finished product.
Kenny chose to use a 30-35 weight cotton thread which gives the lace a hearty look. 40 weight rayon or polyester thread is also a great choice for freestanding lace.
Embroider each piece of the design (Parts A, B, and C) one time. The round piece is the brim of the hat, and the two "L" shaped patterns will be pieces together to form the top of the hat.
After the pieces have been embroidered, unhoop the stabilizer and cut away the excess stabilizer. Trim as close to the embroidery as possible, without cutting any of the stitches.
Set aside the scraps of WSS - they will be used later to make a spray starch.
It is easier to sew these pieces of lace together before soaking the pieces in water.
Lay the "L" shaped pieces, right side up, with the long sides butted up against one another and...
...zigzag stitch them together using the same thread used to embroider the lace designs
Bring the two short pieces together, right sides facing out, and hand sew them together.
Bring the end of the long strip down across the opening and match up to the back seam on the body of the hat. Sew in place.
Connect the long strips to the body of the hat and stitch in place on both sides.
Lay the brim right side up and align the body of the hat on the inner opening of the brim. Stitch in place working from the bottom of the brim.
Soak the hat in hot tap water for the recommended time of the WSS stabilizer you used.
Leave a little WSS remaining in the lace design to add stiffness and stability to the hat.
Blot the lace with paper towels.
Create spray starch by dissolving WSS in water in a spray bottle. Mold the lace by turning up the sides and pinching the top of the hat.
Allow the lace to dry completely.
Optional:
This design is great on its own, but you can add fun and fabulous embellishments; like a ribbon hat band, sparkling rhinestones, and small feathers. Use a drop of glue and press the elements in place.
Thread a tapestry needle with the craft thread. Run it up and down again through the top middle seam of the hat. Tie a knot near the top of the hat and ...
...tie another knot inside the hat as well to secure the hanger.
Yee haw! You are ready to hang your stylish new hat on the tree!
