What Is Freestanding Lace Embroidery?Free Standing Lace
A beginner guide to FSL — embroidery that becomes the finished piece
Welcome
If you are new to machine embroidery, you may see designs labeled FSL and wonder what that means. FSL stands for Freestanding Lace. Freestanding lace is embroidery that is stitched so the thread becomes the finished project. Instead of stitching the design onto fabric, you stitch it onto water-soluble stabilizer. After stitching, the stabilizer is rinsed away and the embroidered lace is left behind. That is what makes it “freestanding.”
What Can You Make With Freestanding Lace?
- Ornaments
- Bookmarks
- Angels
- Snowflakes
- Decorative hanging designs
- Lace accents
EmbroideryDesigns.com has many different FSL designs, from simple projects to more detailed lace. Examples include the FSL Angel Ornament, FSL Bear Ornament, FSL Blackberry, FSL Floral Ornament, and complete projects such as FSL Floral Bookmarks.
FSL is especially popular for ornaments and delicate accents, including the FSL Bell.
Browse our full collection of freestanding lace designs, and see our guide to embroidery stabilizers for more on choosing the right water-soluble stabilizer.
Click on this icon to see all of our freestanding lace designs!How Do You Stitch an FSL Design?
- Hoop water-soluble stabilizer.
- Stitch the FSL design directly onto the stabilizer.
- Remove the design from the hoop.
- Trim away the extra stabilizer.
- Rinse away the remaining stabilizer according to its instructions.
- Let your finished lace dry. Once the stabilizer is gone, the thread holds the design together.
Do You Need Fabric?
Usually, no. With regular embroidery, the stitches are supported by fabric. With FSL, the design is created so the stitches support each other once the stabilizer is removed. Because of that, it is important to use a design that was specifically created as freestanding lace.
What Stabilizer Do You Need?
Use a water-soluble stabilizer made for machine embroidery. It needs to hold the stitches securely while the design is being embroidered, but it also needs to dissolve or rinse away afterward. Some FSL projects may call for more than one layer of stabilizer, so always check the instructions for the design you are stitching.
Use a heavyweight water-soluble stabilizer — lighter weights may not hold up through the full design.
Is Freestanding Lace Good for Beginners?
It can be. The best FSL designs for beginners are usually smaller designs with a simple shape and fewer color changes. A small ornament, bookmark, or simple decorative design can be a great first project.
A Few Beginner Tips
Use the stabilizer recommended for the project and make sure it is hooped securely. Do not rush when removing the stabilizer. After rinsing, gently shape the lace and allow it to dry flat.
- Rinse thoroughly and avoid rubbing the wet lace, which can distort delicate threadwork.
- Shape dimensional pieces (like ornaments) while still damp, then let them dry fully before handling.
- Trim any stray threads once completely dry.
The Easy Way to Remember FSL
You stitch onto water-soluble stabilizer, rinse the stabilizer away, and the embroidery becomes the finished piece. If you are ready to try one, start with a small FSL ornament or bookmark from EmbroideryDesigns.com. Once you see the stabilizer disappear and the embroidered design stay together, the whole process makes much more sense.
FSL means Freestanding Lace — embroidery stitched on water-soluble stabilizer so the thread becomes the finished piece after rinsing.
Usually no. Use a design specifically digitized as freestanding lace so the stitches support each other when the stabilizer is gone.