Freestanding lace designs have been specially digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. After the stabilizer is removed, beautiful lace remains behind.

When you download the design, you will find a total of two files.
One is the for the body of the bird (file "a") and the other file is for the wings and tail piece (file "b").

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.

Load file "a" onto your machine.

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

Embroider the design.

After embroidering, trim away the excess stabilizer.

The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing the excess.

For Vilene, soak the lace pieces for a few moments.

Allow the lace to air dry, then press with a pressing cloth on top.

Load embroidery file "b" and repeat the instructions above to embroider and soak the tail and wings.

Press the tail the same as you did the body, but do not press the wings.

Instead, fold the flat edge of each piece towards the bad side of the lace to create a tab to attach to the wing.

Do this while the wings are still damp -- they'll bend and fold more easily.

For the first wing, place glue along the tab you folded on the wing.

Press the wing onto the side of the bird and allow to dry, and repeat the last two steps for the second wing.

You can also hand sew the two wings onto the bird.

Glue or hand stitch the tail onto the the lace bird body.

If using glue, hold in place and allow the glue to dry before continuing.

Cut a 7" length of ribbon or string, and lace it through the back of the bird using a tapestry needle.

Tie a knot right against the back of the bird to hold the string in place. Then tie another knot at the end to create a loop.

Shake your tailfeathers with these beautiful lace birds! They're fun to stitch and delightful hung in windows and from light fixtures.

Plus, they're wonderful additions to any Christmas decor! Give as gifts to friends and family during the holiday season.

This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.