What you’ll need
- Two layers fibrous type water soluble stabilizer for each hooping
- Embroidery thread
- Bowl of water
- Ribbon/ornament hangers
- Optional: glitter/paint
Featured Designs
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/cane-ornament-free-standing-lace-embroidery-design?variant=1
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/candle-ornament-free-standing-lace-embroidery-design?variant=1
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/tree-ornament-free-standing-lace-embroidery-design?variant=1
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/fsl-bible-ornament-embroidery-design?variant=1
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/fsl-ornament-embroidery-design?variant=2
- https://www.grandslamdesigns.com/snow-flake-ornament-embroidery-design
Notes
Free Standing Lace (FSL) embroidery is some of the easiest embroidery that can be done on a machine. Most FSL designs are one color. These types of designs require special digitizing techniques so that when the stabilizer is rinsed out, all the thread will stay together. These types of designs are addictive! Make sure to have a full bobbin and make sure the bobbin case and area under the throat plate is clean so that there won’t be any hiccups during the stitching process. While the machine is near so you can hear it stitching, you’ll have time to gather items and even start cutting for your next project.
Preparation
Hoop two layers of fibrous type water soluble stabilizer. Be sure to use the fibrous type; the clear type doesn’t always hold all the stitches well and may start perforating along the edges of the design causing misregistration and the piece will fall apart when rinsed.
- If there is a large hoop for your machine, you may be able to “gang up” more than one design in the hoop; this can be done either in software or at the machine.
- Choose the hoop size in the software, and also choose Manual so that the designs can be moved around in the hoop without making the hoop jump all over on the screen.
- Some of the FSL designs are done as parts, so be sure “Group designs on Insert” in the General section of the software so that all the parts stay together when they are moved around on the screen.
- Begin by importing/inserting one of the chosen FSL designs and move it into position in the hoop on the screen.
- Bring in the second and remaining designs and move them into position.
- The designs will stitch in the order they are brought onto the screen.
- Repeat the setups in the hoop for the remaining designs.
- Some of the designs selected are larger, and some smaller.
- Be sure to leave at least ½” between designs when placing them on the screen.
- Export the designs for stitching.
Stitching
- If you have a single hole throat plate, it is always best to use it when doing machine embroidery.
- Load the file on the machine.
- Hoop two layers of water soluble stabilizer.
- Stitch the file with the chosen thread colors.
- FSL designs are so much fun to stitch out!
- Stitch the designs for as many files as you have.
- Vary the colors of the designs for variety.
- If you have a small hoop, single designs may be sewn which fit the hoop; just be sure to still hoop two layers of water soluble stabilizer.
Final Steps
- When the designs have finished stitching, generally cut around the designs.
- Following the manufacturers’ direction for the stabilizer, fill a bowl with water and dunk the designs in the water rinsing out the stabilizer.
- When rinsing, there should be some stabilizer remaining in the design so that it can be shaped and won’t be too soft when dry.
- Lay the designs on a towel, shaping them as they dry.
- Pat any excess water out with another towel.
- Do lift and move the designs as they are drying so they don’t stick to the towel.
Optional Decorating
- Add a bit of sparkle to the designs.
- Use glitter paint or when the design is still a little damp, turn it over in a pile of glitter. A little glitteryw ill adhere because the stabilizer still in the design acts like glue.
Conclusion
- Add ribbon to affix a design to a package or an ornament hanger to decorate the tree.
Congratulations! Whether for yourself or a gift, learning new ways to use embroidery designs increases your enjoyment of stitching. There is no doubt your project will be a “Grand Slam!”
By the “Grand Slam Designs” Team
