Freestanding Organza Butterfly

Get carried away by light and lovely freestanding organza embroidery! These specialized designs are digitized to be embroidered on water-soluble stabilizer and organza, resulting in beautifully finished motifs. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to stitch your own!

These layered organza designs have been specially digitized to sew on organza hooped with a piece of water-soluble stabilizer.

After the excess organza is cut away and the stabilizer is removed, beautiful embroidery and organza remains.

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 work 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.

Cut a piece of both organza and water-soluble stabilizer that are larger than the hoop. Spray the water-soluble stabilizer with temporary adhesive, and smooth the piece of organza on top of it.

Hoop the organza and water-soluble stabilizer together firmly. Make sure it is nice and taut with no wrinkles.

As these designs will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin to match every thread color used in the design.

Following the color change sheet, insert the bobbin that matches your upper thread color. Then attach the hoop to the machine and begin to embroider the design.

Continue to follow the color change sheet, matching all the bobbins, and embroider the remaining details of the design.

Once all the embroidery is finished, unhoop the embroidered organza and stabilizer. Cut as close to the embroidery as you are comfortable, but make sure not to cut into the embroidery.

If you accidentally cut the embroidery, using a small amount of clear fabric glue can help adhere the stitching in place so it does not unravel.

The stabilizer's packaging should give instructions for removing the remaining water-soluble stabilizer. For Vilene, soak the embroidery in water for a few hours.

Allow the design to air dry. If needed, press the design with a pressing cloth on top to remove any wrinkles in the organza.