I love the idea of using free standing lace designs, but need advice on how to attach them to projects. Do you stitch them down? use a fusible? or something else? Thanks - Tara Diana

Hi Tara,

Free standing lace is fun, but I enjoy it best when it’s part of another project too. I have used both permanent spray adhesive, fabric glue and both hand and machine stitching to apply FSL to my projects. Check out my Pansy Lace Collection.  The tissue box, frame and greeting card are decorated with freestanding lace that was applied with glue. I used permanent spray adhesive, Super 77 by 3M (you can find this glue online at Art Supplies Online. The pin cushion and lingerie bag’s lace was applied by hand stitching. The lace on the tea towel with the pale purple pansies was also applied by hand, but since making that towel I’ve made others and used a loose, narrow machine zigzag stitch to apply the lace. Lots faster!

When sewing by hand, I try to catch the lace only around the edges and match my thread color to the lace color, even if it means I have to change thread colors. When sewing by machine I also sew only at the edges, keeping all the stitching on the lace and matching thread colors to the lace. I suppose one could also use invisible thread, I just don’t like the shine of it, myself. The lace on the little votive candle holder is attached with Beacon’s Quick Grip glue. This is a great glue to use when sticking things to a slick surface. I applied the glue to the back of the lace using the pointy end of a bamboo skewer so that I could put the glue only on the lace to keep it neat. Some of these projects will be featured in the July/August Volume 51 issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery if you want a closer look.

I hope you have some fun with free standing lace!

Evy
A Bit of Stitch

You can pretty much use metallic threads for any designs, although you may prefer not to use them on areas of large embroidery fill. Outback Embroidery’s stunning new set of Butterflies & Birds would definitely suit a little metallic shine, as would the lovely Touch of Gold designs from Dainty Stitches. At Secrets we have a wonderful range of Metallic Threads from Superior Threads, and for further encouragement take a look at these hints and tips. 

The new Kitchen Applique set from All Sorts of Embroidery includes ten quaint 5×7 applique designs plus 6 smaller applique motifs for the 4×4″ hoop. There’s also a cute freebie to try out as well. Use these charming designs on table linen, kitchen towels, aprons or anywhere you’d like. For helpful tutorials take a look at Amazing Applique or the Machine Applique Tutorial Kit for beginners, plus read through Evy’s useful hints and tips on applique.

Good day,

Thank you
Anna-Marie (Pretoria, South Africa)

Hi Anna-Marie,

The simplest way to get a one colored design in Embird is to right mouse click on a color box in Embird Editor and use the command “Set all colors to this one”. Then select the design and go to Insert on the Menu Bar. Choose Insert/Remove Codes and then make your selection from the screen that appears. Click OK. That should work for you.

Kind regards
Carolyn
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

Hi,

Regards,
Judith

Hi Judith

Yes, Embird will show you the new Admelody thread charts if you select them in the latest Embird 2006. It is worth upgrading to the new version as there are a lot of nice features in it and a new release (free) is due out soon with even more new features.

I hope that helps.

Kind regards,
Carolyn
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

Learn how to create the picturesque beauty of a Pacific shoreline, or a Florida coast. Using the By the Shore with Pfaff Book from Sew Artfully Yours, you can create your favorite scene complete with sand, rocks, shorebirds and even a lighthouse. Learn completely new techniques for shading and texturizing landscape scenes. Patterns for three different lighthouses and lots of options for customizing your scenes are included. Suitable for Pfaff models 7570, 7550, 7530, 1475 and 1473. See more Pfaff Tutorials. 

Capture the essence of Nashville with the glamorous new white and silver Nashville Lace collection from Designs by Hope Yoder. There are 10 applique, one freestanding lace and 5 lovely fill designs with metallic highlights, plus a free Re-Embroidered Nashville Lace Denim Project Tutorial to inspire you to make your denim hip. These designs are perfect for using small 3mm crystals on too. Experiment with cotton netting, any type of lace, velvet or silk applique fabrics. The possibilities are endless.

Can the Viking Fab-U-Motion be used with Pfaff machines? I have a Designer SE and since Viking sells Husqvarna and Pfaff, I was wondering if this is the same product for both Viking and Pfaff machines. Thanks… - Fran

Hi, The Fab-U-Motion is specific to a machine size so I would think that it would not fit as the new Pfaff CV machine is based on a HV Sapphire body not the SE.

Carolyn Duncan
Author of Pfaff, Husqvarna & Sewing Tutorials
Sew What Designs

Would you please tell me in “kindergarten” terms how to start and use the column sections of Embird? I have tried very hard to use one of them to make fur, but, I can’t even get any designs to come up.  Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question and thanks for taking the time to read it.  - Sue in Kansas in the springtime.

Hi Sue

I actually have some free videos to show this at Secrets of Embroidery. If you download them and watch them I am sure they will set you straight. Click on this link and under my name you’ll find the free videos….

Best of luck

Kind regards,
Carolyn Keber
Tutorials for Embird and PE Design

The new Lace Serviette Basket from Stitch Delight is an elegant way to present serviettes or napkins on a table. This very pretty and practical freestanding lace project for the 5×7 hoop includes step-by-step instructions with color photos. Click here for more  FSL 3D Projects.