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How to Make Sewing Machine Lace - Project Overview
This is another embroidery “in the hoop” project, but this time, I am learning how to use my sewing machine to make lace.
The lace is sewn onto water soluble stabiliser which you then wash completely away to leave the pretty lace flap to close the scissors case.
The scissors case is made entirely “in the hoop”. The only hand sewing required is to attach the flap to the finished case.
Happiness is a Satisfied Customer
“Beautiful and well made.I have not seen anything else like this. A lovely purchase.”
I made my scissors cases from a pattern purchased from The Embroidery Library.
They have a huge range of designs available. Be careful – I think sewing machine embroidery might be addictive?!
Scissors Case - Step by Step Instructions
What You Will Need:
- Fabric - 25cm x 15cm is sufficient
- Water Soluble Stabiliser - I used Madeira Avalon Plus with good results
- Temporary Fabric Spray Adhesive
- Tear Away Stabiliser
- Contrasting Thread - I used Madeira Rayon 40
- A small button about 1.2 cm wide. Heart Up-Cycling!
- Fine Needle - Size 11
Embroidery Sewing Machine
You will also need an embroidery sewing machine. I use a Bernina 580, but there are many other brands to choose from. You need a machine that is not just capable of basic embroidery but one which has an embroidery attachment capable of taking a dedicated hoop.
Each machine uses a different embroidery file type and you usually need to specify which filetype you want to purchase when you buy and download an embroidery design. Bernina uses EXP files.
Video - How to Make A Scissors Case with a Lace Embroidered Flap - Step-by-Step
If you are the sort who likes to SEE how to make something rather than READ through all the instructions, then this short video captures all the basic steps involved in making a pretty embroidered scissors case with a lace embroidered flap all “In the Hoop”.
Making the Lace Flap Scissors Case - Step-by-Step
- Wash and starch your fabrics.
- Sew out the die design template (see tips and tricks below).
- Cut your fabric to the required size – one triangle for the front and two (from doubled up fabric) for the back. Use the temporary spray adhesive to attach your template to the fabric and make cutting it out exactly to the right size really easy.
- Hoop your tear away stabiliser.
- Get your sewing machine ready for embroidery:
- Drop the Feed Dogs
- Load your embroidery bobbin with thread – NOT BOBBINFIL! This is important, because the thread can be seen on both sides of the case. If you are using white thread, then Bobbinfil is OK, but otherwise, use the sameembroidery thread in your bobbin as on the top of your machine.
- Insert your embroidery needle – use a new needle for each project
- Load your design onto your sewing machine and perform a check to ensure you are using the right sized hoop.
- Now – you are ready to start embroidering. The design sews out a template die line.
- Spray the front fabric with temporary adhesive and stick it onto the stabiliser within the die line.
- A tack line sews and then the edge is embroidered, followed by the rose design. The machine will pause patiently for you to change the thread colour at each stage.
- You can remove the hoop now and place your back fabric onto the BACK of the hoop inside the dieline.
- Replace your hoop and the design will sew a tackling and then embroider the final border.
- Tear away the stabiliser and get ready for the best part – making the lace flap!
How to Make The Lace Flap
- Hoop your water soluble stabiliser tightly, making sure there are no wrinkles.
- Load the design for the lace flap and sew it out, using the same embroidery thread on both sides.
- Trim away the excess stabiliser.
- Soak your finished flap in a little tepid water and rub your stabiliser away.
- Iron your completed lace flap between two tea towels (or similar) and leave it to dry.
- Attach your flap to your embroidered scissors case, attach your little button and you are all done! Easy peasy!
Tips and Tricks
- I prepared a template for cutting my fabrics to the right size this by hooping a piece of plastic cut from a poly pocket file. You can embroider without thread and cut through the dotted line to get a perfect reusable template.
- Use a fine needle – size 11 for a project like this. It makes smaller perforations in the stabiliser and is less likely to tear.
- Madeira Rayon 40 is beautiful thread for making durable lace with a nice sheen to it. I bought mine in a large 1000m cop – very economical – from Lords Sewing. Making lace does use quite a lot of thread, so an economical supplier is really useful to know.
Heart Up-Cycling!
One pair of old denim jeans – so may ways to up-cycle them!
The little button fastening came from this blouse I found on a rummage through the charity shop rails. St. Mary’s Hospice benefits twice over!
There are plenty more buttons and beads left over for other projects too.
The pink scissors case is made using linen left over from making lavender bags – see my earlier post.
You only need a tiny amount of fabric for this project, so it is great for up-cycling remnants.
Would you like your own Scissors Case?
If you like these cases, but don’t have time/resources to make one for yourself, then visit my Etsy shop.
Working with up-cycled fabrics means everything I make is unique – you will never find another like it. When they are gone, they are gone!
I donate all my profits to support the valuable work at Birmingham St. Mary’s Hospice.
