Tutorial- free machine stitch with soluble stabiliser

Hi Everyone,
Last time I posted I showed you a free machine embroidered leaf which I had stitched using water soluble stabiliser and promised a step by step tutorial. Well, here it is! This time I made a butterfly.

You will need

organza or other fine fabric
pencil
soluble stabiliser with adhesive backing
machine embroidery hoop
thread
scissors
sewing machine with feed dogs lowered and a walking foot

The first thing you need to decide is what image you are going to make. For this technique I feel that something delicate is appropriate. Maybe a decaying leaf, insect or a flower. You probably have ideas of your own and I would love to know what you create.

First you need to draw the image on to the stabiliser. If the image is complicated or you are not confidant at drawing I think you could probably trace something as the stabiliser is quite thin.

Next peel off the sticky backing and adhere to your fabric. Being careful to avoid

creases in your fabric.
Here is mine in the hoop. The image needs to be well away from the sides of the hoop or the sewing foot will catch. If the whole image does not fit don't worry as you can re position within the hoop as you go. Be sure to lower the feed dogs on your machine and if possible use a walking foot. You need to be able to move the work in every direction not just forwards and backwards.
Next stitch around your pencil outline. I prefer to use black or a dark coloured thread. Be aware that the bobbin thread will show through when you have finished so make sure it is the same colour as the top thread. If you want to make gradual colour changes you can do this by keeping the bobbin thread the same and changing the top thread only. As you may see in this photo I had some problems with my tension at first. I usually stitch on felt and had to tighten the bobbin for this much thinner work.

When you have completed the area in the hoop move to the other area.

Next comes the colour. Begin to fill in your image one colour at a time.

Continue with each colour in turn until your image is complete. Don't try to cover every tiny gap. Those tiny gaps create the delicate, lacy effect. You should, however try to ensure that your stitches all meet up with another stitch especially around the edges.

Can you see the light shining through the small gaps I have left?

Almost there now. Remove the work from the hoop and fill a sink or bowl with warm water. Immerse the whole piece in the water. The paper will magically dissolve and you will be left with your embroidery on the fine fabric. You can soak for a fairly short time and the embroidery will retain some stiffness which can be a good thing if you want it to stand proud when you mount it. The leaves I made were only sewn to the paper down the centre vein. If you want your work to be soft you may have to soak several times in clean water.

Here is my embroidery once the paper has dissolved.

Now leave it to dry and then carefully cut the excess fabric away. I prefer to use small embroidery scissors for this as it can be quite fiddly and you need to be sure not to cut the stitching.

Here she is all dry and cut free from the surrounding fabric! I haven't decided if she will be part of a felt, mounted on Khadi paper and framed or perhaps be turned in to a brooch. I will be sure to let you know what she becomes when she grows up.

One last thing I should mention is that it is possible to use this method to create an embroidery with no fabric at all. Your stabiliser will not need to be sticky and you must be absolutely sure that all of the stitches interlock.

Have fun and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.