Deck the halls in classic and elegant style with this freestanding lace ornament, featuring a tiny star in the center! Stitch each oval piece separately, then assemble to create the 3D bauble shape. Step-by-step instructions will show you how!
Supplies & Materials:
- Water-soluble stabilizer (such as Vilene or Sulky Ultra Solvy)
- Embroidery thread
- Scissors
- Hand sewing needles or clear fabric glue
- 1/8" ribbon (for hanger)
- Needle for threading ribbon
The designs used in this tutorial include:
Freestanding lace designs have been specially digitized for water-soluble stabilizer. After the stabilizer is removed, beautiful embroidery remains.
When you download the design, you will find multiple embroidery files which contain all of the pieces of the design.
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.
Hoop the stabilizer firmly. Make sure it is nice and tight with no wrinkles.
As the freestanding lace will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin with the same thread that is being used in the top needle.
Attach the hoop to the machine and load file "a". Follow the color change sheet, and embroider the first color of the design using a matching bobbin.
After embroidering, trim away the excess stabilizer.
The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing the excess. For Vilene, soak the embroidered lace for a few moments.
Allow the lace to air dry, and then press it with a pressing cloth on top.
Repeat the steps above to embroider the rest of the lace pieces.
To make a complete ornament, make sure to sew a total of five "b" pieces (the piece without the center accent), and one "a" piece (the piece with the center accent).
To assemble the ornament, take two "b" pieces.
Locate where the design splits the pieces into two halves, so they can fold. Match only one half of each piece up with wrong sides together.
Using matching thread. Sew a few stitches through both pieces at the top (right by the fold) to connect the two pieces together. You can also use clear glue if preferred.
Then also sew the two halves together in at the center of the curve using a hand sewing needle and thread or glue.
Finally, tack the two halves together at the opposite, bottom end (by the other fold line). All the pieces will be held together in these three spots. Extra stitches or glue can be used if the pieces warp or are gapping too much.
Next take the third "b" piece, and match half of it up to the open half of the second piece. Make sure wrong sides are together, and hand sew or glue the two halves together.
Repeat to take the forth "b" piece, and match it up to the open half of the third piece. Make sure wrong sides are together, and hand sew or glue the two halves together.
Then repeat to take the fifth and final "b" piece, and match it up to the open half of the forth piece. Make sure wrong sides are together, and hand sew or glue the two halves together.
Finally, take the "a" piece with the hanging accent and match it up to the open half of the fifth piece. Make sure wrong sides are together, and hand sew or glue the two halves together.
Now that all six pieces are connected, fold them all flat on top of each other, and crease the folds with your fingers by pinching them.
Open it back up, and match up the two remaining halves of the first "b" piece, and the "a" piece. Hand sew or glue them together.
Use a needle to thread a 7" long piece of ribbon through the top, center of the ornament. For best results, have the opening of the loop match up with the direction the star is pointing, so it hangs facing the right direction when placed on a tree.
