Freestanding lace designs have been specially digitized for watersoluble stabilizer. After the stabilizer is removed, beautiful lace remains behind. When you download the design, you will find a total of 2 files. These are the left and right wings (labeled a and 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 the first wing (piece 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, 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.

Air dry, then press using a pressing cloth.

Embroider, soak, dry, and press the second wing (piece b). When both pieces are ready, it's time to assemble the wings.

Line up the inner edges of the wings, right sides facing up. Hand-sew or hot glue your wings together from the top of where they meet to about 1/2" down from where you started. You can also sew the pieces together with a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.

Cut a 4" ribbon and make it into a loop. Hand stitch or glue the looped ribbon to the back of where you connected the wings together.

Finally, stitch or glue on beautiful bows to make your wings into a wonderful addition to your holiday decorating. Great on trees, gifts, and more!