You will need a 16" x 16" piece of cotton or linen cloth (we
used cotton fabric), 40-weight rayon or polyester embroidery threads, water-soluble
Vilene stabilizer and 50-weight cotton embroidery threads. The finished
size of the doily is about 22" x 22" .
Step One: Pre-wash the fabric. Stabilize the fabric with any
water-soluble stabilizer. Mark the place of every chick and embroider them
one by one. You do not need to dissolve the stabilizer yet.
The chicken design is done in French knots technique. Above is a close-up
of the embroidery.
Step Three: Using sort and dense zigzag, stitch all the edge
lace parts together as shown in the layout above.
Step Four: Place the edge lace frame over the embroidered piece.
The fabric piece will be larger than the lace frame, but do not trim the
excess fabric just now! Pin or baste the lace over the fabric, then zigzag
in place. Now trim the excess fabric under the lace.
Step Five: You can now go ahead and dissolve the water-soluble
stabilizer. Place the doily into a bowl of warm water; change the water
several times. So that the doily dries evenly, spread it on a flat surface
and let it air dry. Then press carefully.
