Freestanding Double-sided Lace Edge Ornaments

Fabric and freestanding lace combine to create an elegant double-sided lace edge ornament. Follow along to learn how to stitch this type of festive design!

When you download a lace organza ornament design, you will find a total of three files.

One of the files is embroidery file, and the other two are dieline files marked with the letters DL. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size.

Open the dieline file with an embroidery software, and print it. If you do not have embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

Spray the backside of front dieline printout with temporary adhesive and smooth it on top of the fabric.

Cut out the shape and repeat to make the back dieline piece. After cutting, make sure to fold up one corner of the paper dieline to make it easier to remove later.

Freestanding double-sided lace edge ornament designs have been specially digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. After the stabilizer is removed, beautiful lace and embroidery remains.

There are a couple of different kinds of water-soluble stabilizer that we recommend. 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.

This type of design 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 the embroidery file onto the machine (not the dieline), and embroider the design.

The first thing to embroider will be a dieline, or outline stitch. This marks the area on the stabilizer where we'll place the front fabric piece.

Spray the back of the front piece with temporary adhesive.

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Place the fabric piece right inside the sewn dieline (after removing the paper).

Reattach the hoop to the machine and continue with the design.

A tackdown will sew next. This binds the front fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.

Look at the color change sheet, and stop the machine before sewing "back piece takdown."

Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Spray the backside of the back dieline with temporary adhesive, and place it on the back of the embroidery.

Place the hoop back on the machine, and embroider the back piece tackdown.

Next, all of the inner elements will sew followed by the satin edges and lace borders.

After embroidering, cut the excess stabilizer away.

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

Let the piece air dry, then press using a pressing cloth.

To make your deisgn into an ornament, use a tapestry needle to thread a 6" length of ribbon through the tip of one of the points. Tie the ribbon in a loop.