- 1). Hoop a piece of heavy-weight or woven water-soluble stabilizer securely. The stabilizer should be taut, but be careful not to stretch the stabilizer while hooping. Make sure you are using a sturdy stabilizer that is designed for freestanding lace embroidery.
- 2). Wind a bobbin with thread that matches the top thread and load the bobbin in the machine.
- 3). Attach the hoop to the embroidery machine and send the design to stitch. Only designs that are specially digitized for freestanding lace embroidery should be used.
- 4). Manually lower and raise the needle to bring the bobbin thread to the top of the stabilizer. Hold the ends of the top and bottom thread out of the way and start the machine. After a few stitches have sewn, pause the machine and snip the thread tails. This will keep the thread tails from getting caught up in the embroidery.
- 5). Remove the hoop from the machine when the design is complete. Unhoop the stabilizer and cut away the excess to within 1/4 inch of the stitching. Be careful not to cut any stitches.
- 6). Follow the manufacturer's instructions to dissolve the stabilizer. This usually involves soaking or rinsing the item in warm water.
- 7). Roll the lace in a towel to squeeze out any excess water and lay it flat to dry. The remnants of the stabilizer will act like starch and make the lace dry somewhat stiff.
- 8). If you used organza or tulle along with the stabilizer, carefully trim the excess as close to the stitches as possible without cutting any stitches.
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