Ornaments (Battenburg Lace)

Battenburg lace is light, lovely, and perfect for creating elegant Christmas ornaments. Give them as gifts in holiday cards and stockings, or hang on your own tree for a sophisticated look. Learn how to make these machine embroidery ornaments by following our step-by-step instructions.

Battenburg lace designs are embroidered onto water-soluble stabilizer. When the stabilizer is soaked away, beautiful lace  remains behind.

Battenburg lace is digitized for  30-35 weight cotton thread. This thread brings a classic, hearty, and traditional look to the lace pieces.

30-35 weight cotton thread is found under different names, such as 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.

Two kinds of water-soluble stabilizer can be used when embroidering freestanding lace. One is clear and plastic-like, known as Sulky Ultra Solvy.

The other is soft and fibrous, called Vilene. Both kinds will work very well. Vilene is used in this demonstration.

Hoop a piece of water-soluble stabilizer.

Embroider the design. 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.

At each color stop, change the bobbin to match the top thread. 

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 dissolved in a few moments.

Blot, and allow to air-dry. When the piece is completely dry, press with an iron. Use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching.

To add a ribbon for hanging, cut a piece of 1/4" wide ribbon that is 12" long.

Thread the ribbon through a tapestry needle. Sew the ribbon through the center top of the ornament, just under the outer border.

To finish, tie the ends of the ribbon together to form a hanger for your ornament.

Battenburg lace ornaments are a graceful addition to holiday decor, and are made entirely in the hoop. Hang from windows, wreaths, and trees.

Battenburg lace ornaments come in a variety of styles and sizes. This ornament features a circle of lace with a star hanging from the top of the lace circle; other shapes include crosses, crowns, and more.