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 for the top and bottom portions of the topper.

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.

We are embroidering the topper with 30 weight cotton thread which gives the lace a soft, yet hearty look and feel. You can also use 40 weight rayon or polyester thread.

Hoop the stabilizer firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load file "a". Embroider the design.

After embroidering, trim away the excess stabilizer.

Then, hoop another piece of stabilizer, load file "b", and embroider the design. 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.

Next, lay the lace flat with the right side of the bottom piece facing right side up and the top piece right side facing down. Align the pieces together as shown (do not overlap the pieces).

Using the same thread in the needle and bobbin, sew the pieces together with a zigzag stitch.

Sew a 3/4" button in the center of the flower on the bottom portion of the topper.

Next, fold the dish towel together lengthwise (short ends aligned together) and cut the towel in half along the fold. Fold the raw edge of one of the towel pieces in 1/4" and then again 1/4", press with an iron, and sew a 1/8" seam along the folded edge.

Lay the towel flat with the wrong side facing up. Fold the long sides of the towel in to meet in the center.

Turn the towel over to the right side and align the towel topper with the top edge of the towel with the topper extending one inch over the towel. Pin in place.

Sew a seam over the lace along the top edge of the towel, along each side of the lace that extends over the towel, and along the bottom edge of the lace just above the bottom satin stitch border - stitching through all the layers of the towel.

Another option is to add strips of Velcro to the topper and the towel to make the towel detachable for washing.

Cut a piece of felt (match the color of the felt to the color of the towel) to 6" wide by 1" high. Also, cut a strip of Velcro to 6" long (the loop side).

Place the Velcro on top of the felt piece and sew it in place by stitching along the edges of the Velcro.

Next, lay the towel topper flat with the wrong side facing up. Align the felt/Velcro strip along the bottom edge of the topper with the Velcro side facing up. Pin in place and sew a seam along the outer edges of the felt.

Prepare the towel half and fold it as instructed earlier. Lay the towel flat with the right side facing up. Cut a 6" strip of Velcro (the hook side) and place it along the top edge of the towel about 1/4" from the top edge, pin in place, and sew a seam along the edges of the Velcro through all layers of the towel.

Align the Velcro on the bottom edge of the towel topper with the Velcro on the top edge of the towel and press in place. The towel topper is now ready to be hung!