Free-standing lace is stitched entirely on water-soluble stabilizer, leaving only thread behind. This guide walks through the technique step by step, with practical tips to get clean results — and shows where a free tool like SewFlow fits in.
Step by Step
- 1Hoop two layers of water-soluble stabilizer.
- 2Stitch the lace design with matching bobbin thread.
- 3Rinse away the stabilizer in warm water.
- 4Shape the wet lace and let it dry flat or molded.
Tips for Best Results
- •Use the same thread in the needle and bobbin so both sides match.
- •Designs must have connected stitches or they fall apart.
- •Rinse thoroughly so no stabilizer stiffness remains.
Thread Only
Free-standing lace has no fabric — the stitches interlock to hold their own shape after rinsing.
Create your own machine-ready embroidery designs free in your browser:
Open SewFlow →