Floriani...The Name That Means Beautiful Embroidery!

Endless Lace Necklines: T-Shirt TitivationsProject Instructions

By Tamara Evans

Floriani...The Name That Means Beautiful Embroidery!2

Endless Lace Necklines: T-Shirt Titivations

By Tamara Evans

The dictionary defines titivate “to improve the appearance of something by neatening or adding decoration; spruce up”. In this project, a simple t-shirt transforms into stylish statement with a twist of thread and a touch of tulle. Walter’s Signature Collection, Endless Lace Necklines, offers an assortment of fashionable lace necklines to satisfy everyone’s taste. Embroider the lace necklines on tulle or mesh for an applique effect, or stitch directly onto fabric for a perfect embellishment. This collection will inspire the titivator in you!

In this project, embroider the lace on tulle and then apply to a basic t-shirt for a stunning transformation. Just grab a t-shirt and choose your favorite neckline design.

Required Materials:• Endless Lace Necklines design set• 5” x 7” (minimum) embroidery hoop

Note: All necklines are divided into sections to fit a 5” x 7” hoop. Multiple sections may be stitched in one hooping on a larger hoop. Print templates or assemble in software to determine proper placement.

• � yard of tulle in similar color to the t-shirt and/or lace• Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky stabilizer • Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky tape 1" wide (as an option,

Wet N Gone Tacky may be cut into strips)• T-shirt• Floriani Polyester Thread to match t-shirt• Matching bobbin thread

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Part A - Prepare to Embroider

Step 1 – Audition the neckline design

Print a template of the neckline design and assemble. Audition the design on the t-shirt to check for proper fit.

Step 2 – Hoop stabilizer

Hoop a piece of Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky stabilizer 1” larger than the hoop paper side up. Score the paper with a straight pin. Peel away the paper.

Step 3 – Apply tulle

Cut a piece of tulle cover the hooped stabilizer. Smooth in place without stretching. Remove any visible wrinkles.

Part B – Embroider the lace

Load the lace designs for Lace 08 neckline into the embroidery machine in the proper format. Reference the lace assembly guide for assembly instructions for other designs.

Step 1 – Embroider the first segment

Thread machine and load bobbin with desired color. Stitch lace08a design. Note the four X marks next to the design. These are the placement marks for the two additional sides of this neckline. Trim the lace making sure the X marks are included with the design.

Tam’s Tip: Do not discard unused pieces of Wet N Gone Tacky. Cut the remnants into strips and used as a water-soluble tape for this t-shirt and many other projects.

Step 2 – Embroider the next segment

Hoop another piece of Wet N Gone Tacky stabilizer and remove the release paper as described in Part A, Step 2. Stitch the first color of design lace08b, the placement marks. Remove the hoop from the machine and place on a flat surface.

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Cover the exposed area with another piece of tulle. Stitch the remainder of the design. Remove the hoop from the machine. Carefully trim around the outer edge of the lace design.

Step 3 – Embroider the left segment

Repeat the actions in step 2 to embroider lace08c. Trim excess stabilizer and tulle from the finished design. Do not remove the stabilizer.

Stick a straight pin through the center of the right two X marks in the stitched design from Step 1. Using the pin as a guide through the centers, match the two marks from the first design with the marks in the hoop.

Finger press the design to stick to the hooped stabilizer. Remove the pins.

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It is a good idea to try on the t-shirt before stitching the lace in place. Check in a mirror to see if any part of the lace will be more revealing than desired.

Step 3 – Stitch the lace to the shirt

Use an open toed presser foot and the same thread used for lace construction. Set the stitch to a zigzag stitch to 2.5mm wide and 2.5mm length. Stitch over the outline satin stitches of the lace to attach it to the shirt. Once the shirt is laundered, all of the Wet N Gone Tacky will disappear and the zigzag stitches will disappear into the lace. Secure the edge of the lace at the shoulders so it does not separate from wear.

Since the lace is somewhat transparent, zigzag over any areas of the t-shirt that should stay behind the lace. Once the stitching is complete, turn the t-shirt inside out.

Part C – Apply the lace to the t-shirt

Step 1 – Prepare the t-shirt

Remove the binding from the collar front. Trim at the shoulder seams leaving extra to attach to the lace.

Step 2 – Position the lace neckline

Position the lace neckline onto the collar area of the t-shirt. Match the shoulder seams at the neckline.

Using the Floriani Wet N Gone Tacky tape (or cut strips), tape the lace in position for stitching. Stitching through Wet N Gone Tacky will not gum up your needle. See the image below for example.

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Step 4 – Remove the excess t-shirt fabric

Carefully trim away the t-shirt fabric above the zigzag stitching. Since the fabric is a knit, it is not necessary to finish the raw edge, just trim it neatly close to the stitching.

The t-shirt is now ready for washing to remove all traces of the stabilizer and tape.

Use this same method to transform many t-shirts with the beautiful lace neckline designs available on the Continuous Lace Necklines design disk. Experiment with color and designs, and titivate to your heart’s content.

Project and step-by-step instructions created by Tamara Evans for RNK Distributing.