FSL Elegant Bracelets and/or Bookmarks

These are instructions on how to embroider the FSL Elegant Bracelet Set.

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Stabilizers: We recommend to use water-soluble mesh, such as Vilene. Vilene D0102 is a non woven dissolvable stabilizer which is imported into the US, is sold in large rolls and is sometimes packaged under different brand names. Some of these brand names are Fabri-Solvy by Sulky, Avalon Plus by Madeira, Wash-Away, and Aqua Magic.

Film-like water soluble stabilizers, such as Solvy by Sulky, Avalon by Madeira and Badge Master are not suitable for Free-Standing Lace embroidery.

Threads: This type of lace is embroidered with either polyester or rayon embroidery thread. Please note that rayon thread is sensitive to the chemicals in the water-soluble mesh.

To get two-sided embroidery, use the same thread or threads of the same color in the needle and in the bobbin.

Needles: We use size 80/12 embroidery needles and 80/12 metallic needles. Our experience shows that cotton thread used with metallic needles gives less lint. The needles should be sharp, so it's advisable to change them often.

Most Importantly: ALWAYS make a test stitch-out of the design and wash away the stabilizer. This helps you to select the threads, needles, stabilizers and settings of your machine correctly. DO NOT embroider several designs in one hoop.

Besides the thread and stabilizer for the embroidery you will also need clasps for the bracelet and small embellishments (optional) to your taste.

Embroider the bracelets in any color, but using the same thread in the needle and in the bobbin.

Dissolve the stabilizer in lukewarm water, neatly spread the stitch-out on a towel and leave to air dry. Press with steam, if needed.

Sew the clasps to the ends of the stitch-outs. Decorate them to your liking with small embellishments such as hot-fix crystals, rhinestones, beads, etc.

For our first bracelet we chose small silver beads which match the silver central part of the bracelet. We hand-sewed them between the "ladders" on the upper and lower edges of the lace.

You can use the stitch-outs as bookmarks, just add tassels of matching colors.

This is the same pattern as above one, but in green. We embellished it with lime seed beads and large green beads along the edges.

The second pattern, embroidered in purple, is embellished with large green and blue beads along the central bars.

It's easy to make a bracelet to match any outfit. Enjoy!