A Battenburg lace crown has three embroidery files. One is the center piece, marked with the letter A. The other two are side pieces, marked with the letters B and C.

Use 30-35 weight cotton thread when embroidering Battenburg lace designs. The thread is found under different names, like mercerized cotton or all-purpose cotton.

You will use the same thread in both the top and the bobbin. Wind a bobbin with the cotton thread. 

Battenburg lace designs are digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. There are two kinds that are recommended. One is Sulky Ultra Solvy, and it's clear. The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene. Both types will work very well. For this demonstration, Vilene is used.

Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer. When embroidering, use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, instead of an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. That means it will make smaller holes in the stabilizer. Embroider part A of the design. Change the bobbin thread at each color stop to match the top thread.

After the design has finished, unhoop the stabilizer and cut away the excess. Trim as close to the embroidery as possible without cutting any of the stitches.

Embroider the side pieces, parts B and C.

Trim the excess stabilizer away. Then, soak the pieces in water to remove the remaining stabilizer. Check your stabilizer's package instructions to see how long to soak the stabilizer. For Vilene, the stabilizer is removed after being in the water for only a few seconds.

Blot and air-dry until the lace is completely dry. Press with an iron; use a pressing cloth over the lace to prevent scorching. Place the pieces right side up and align the inner side edges of the side pieces with the side edges of the center piece. 

Zigzag stitch the pieces together using the same 30-35 cotton thread.

The next step is to add the ties or elastic. For ribbon: cut two equal pieces of ribbon that will be long enough to tie around the wearer's head. Spray the ends of the ribbon with temporary adhesive. Press them in place at the sides of the crown. 1/2 inch of the ribbon can extend onto the lace. Use a zigzag stitch to attach.

Another option is to add a 1/2" wide knit elastic band. Measure the wearer's head to determine the approximate length of the elastic. Elastic stretches, so when cutting a piece, cut it 1 inch shorter. Spray one end of the elastic with temporary adhesive and press it in place on one end of the lace crown at the backside. Zigzag stitch it in place.

Spray the remaining end of the elastic with adhesive, form the crown into a loop, and press the elastic into place at the backside of the lace at the opposite end of the crown. Zigzag stitch it in place just as you did on the other end.

Your favorite princess will love using their new freestanding lace crown for dress-up, Halloween, or to be royalty in their everyday life!

Is your little one a prince, not a princess? Have no fear! The freestanding lace crown comes in a male version, too.