Free standing lace table runner tutorial
This is our machine embroidery tutorial, showing how to stitch and assemble the 10335 Free standing lace table runner set #4.
This set of 7 free standing lace machine embroidery designs can be used in different combinations with suitable fabric. It will let you create table runners, table cloth and freestanding lace + fabric doily with a size of your choice.
In order to create this fine lace embroidery decorated table runner you will need:
- Our Free standing lace floral table runner set : 10335 Free standing lace table runner set #4
- Water-soluble stabilizer suitable for stitching freestanding lace (we prefer Vilene DO104)
- Suitable machine embroidery thread: We find that polyester thread is especially suitable for these designs. In order to have the stitched embroidery look the same on both sides, we would recommend that you use the same upper thread and bobbin thread.
- Suitable fabric of your choice (we use linen). Since some fabrics tend to shrink, you may want to dip the fabric in water for 2 hours before using it and then dry and iron it.
Step-by-step instructions for creating the table runner
1. Hoop the water-soluble stabilizer. Subject to the type of stabilizer you are using, you may have to hoop up to 4 layers. Please use the smallest hoop possible and do not try to do more that 1 design in a single hoop. Make sure the stabilizer is hooped very tight and stays that why during the whole stitching process
2. Stitch out the free standing lace design components.
In order to prepare the table runner featured on our site, you will need to stitch out the components as follows:
– FS Lace table runner design #1, #2 and #7 – 4 times each;
– FSL Table runner design #4, #5 and #6 – 2 times each and
– FSL Table runner design #3 – 6 times.
Carefully cut off the loose thread ends you get in the process of stitching (at the beginning or when changing thread). You may want to mark the stitched out components so that you know which is what. Some of the components are very similar, so it will be easy to loose track and put them in the wrong place.
4. Arrange the components as shown on the image below. The numbers correspond to the number of each embroidery file included in our delivery.
5. Connect the components to each other with manual stitches from the back side using the same thread you used to stitch out the designs. The places to apply the stitches are marked with red on the image but you will not make a mistake if you put a stitch or two in ALL places where two components touch each other.
After connecting all pieces you should have something like this:
6. Place the connected lace components face up on top of the fabric. You can attach the lace to the fabric with pins or with temporary manual stitches. We prefer to use stitches as they are usually better at holding the lace and fabric together.
If the colors of the thread and the fabric are very close, you may want to trace the outline of the free standing lace with an invisible marking pen (like the one on the picture). This will make stitching easier. The ink from such a pen will usually disappear after 5-10 minutes, once you place the fabric in water of after 24 hours. Although such pens are considered safe to use, we would recommend that you test it with the thread and fabric.
7. Stitch the lace to the fabric using machine zigzag stitch – we used a 3 mm stitch with a density of 0.5 mm.
When you finish stitching the lace and the fabric together:
8. Very carefully cut away the excess fabric from below the freestanding lace parts of the table runner. Please take it easy and make sure you do not cut the thread.
After cutting away the fabric – dip the table runner in water until the stabilizer has been completely dissolved.
8. Let the table runner dry on an towel and then iron it.
Congratulations! Your freestanding lace decorated table runner is ready!
If you want to have a bigger table runner, you can repeat designs # 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each repeat will add around 18.1 inches (46 cm) to the side of your table runner.
If you need a square doily or a larger table top you can create them using different combinations of the 7 table runner lace designs.
In order to produce the square table top – 38 x 38 inches (97 x 97 cm) as shown below, you will have to use the combination of designs which make up the long side of the rectangular table runner as explained above.
In this case you will need to stitch out the following:
FSL Table runner design #1, #2, #4, #5, #6 and #7 – 4 times each;
FSL Table runner design #3 – 8 times.
Apart from that, the instructions for stitching out and assembling the table top are absolutely the same as above.
In order to produce the square doily – 20 x 20 inches (51 x 51 cm) as shown below, you will have to use the combination of designs which make up the short side of the rectangular table runner as featured above.
To create this doily you will need to stitch out the FSL Table runner design #1, #2 and #7 – 4 times each. The instructions for stitching out and assembling the doily are absolutely the same as above.
