Light up your home for the holidays with Christmas tree cones! They're freestanding lace designs and make festive table decorations. Place them over battery-operated tea lights for an extra-warm glow.
Supplies
Project Needs & Notes
- Water soluble stabilizer
(like Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Fabric glue
- Beads, hot fix crystals, tinsel (optional)
Designs in this tutorial and video include:
- Filigree Tree with Poinsettias (Lace)
- Filigree Tree with Holly and Berries (Lace)
- Filigree Tree with Snowflakes (Lace)
Finished Sizes:
The extra large designs result in a tree cone that is 3 3/4" x 5 1/2".
The large designs result in a tree cone that is 3 1/4" x 4 7/8".
The medium designs result in a tree cone that is 2 5/8" x 4 1/8".
The small designs result in a tree cone that is 2 1/2" x 3 5/8"
Designs Used
Freestanding lace designs are specially digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. After the stabilizer is removed, beautiful lace remains behind.
Two kinds of water-soluble stabilizer can be used when embroidering these designs:
Sulky Ultra Solvy Vilene
Vilene is used in this demo. Do not use a lightweight water-soluble stabilizer.
Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, not an embroidery needle.
A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. That means it makes smaller holes in the stabilizer than an embroidery needle.
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.
Take special care that the sides are secure and will not slip while stitching. If the sides slip, then you will see misalignment and gaps.
Use 40 weight rayon or polyester thread.
Embroider the design.
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.
Blot the lace with paper towels.
Air dry, then press using a pressing cloth.
To assemble the tree, add fabric glue along one of the straight edges. Form the lace into a cone. Press the straight edges together.
Hold in place for a few moments and allow the glue to dry.
Dress up your trees by adding embellishments like beads, hot fix crystals, and tinsel!
Place it over a battery-operated tea light to add holiday glow to your home.
Freestanding lace is digitized so that all of the stitches stay together after the stabilizer is removed.
If you use a needle larger than a size 11 or 75/11, or if the bobbin tension is too tight, or if the stabilizer is too light or hooped too loosely, then you may see separation or gaps, as shown here.
If you see gaps or separations in your lace stitchouts, check these things:
- Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, not an embroidery needle.
- Use a heavy-weight water-soluble stabilizer like Sulky Ultra Solvy or Vilene, and make sure it is hooped tightly.
- Check or adjust your bobbin tension. Bobbin tension that is too tight will cause the stitches to separate.
