7/31/12 Are the free Christmas Ornaments Alphabet Angels by soniashowalterdesigns FSL? A previous message said to look for FSL and I haven't seen the letters. In the future how can I tell? I don't see FSL on any of the designs I've downloaded. . Thanks once again for your help! Stella

Great answer, Angie. Usually designers will tell you somewhere if the design is Free Standing Lace or not. I think in Sonia's description of the whole Angels alphabet it's there somewhere. Perhaps because so many of us are familiar with Sonia's "Angels of Light" series and her other FSL designs we read it even if it wasn't there. I've seen where designers put FSL in the title of the design, or in "lacy" or "cutwork" designs where a mistake could be made, they will put NOT FSL in the description. Usually they're pretty good about it, but sometimes there's a confusion. Look closely at the descriptions before you download, and if necessary put 'fsl' or 'not fsl' somewhere in the title in your own file. You won't forget that way. If you have any kind of software, and there are free downloads out there where you can look at the designs, the FSL ones will lay down some kind of grid background, sort of like making their own fabric of sorts, before the design itself stitches out. It usually looks like a kind of basket weaving, vertical, horizontal, and both diagonals; that's to hold the stitches together. If you don't know, ask if anyone knows the designer & design, like the Sonia Showalter ones. Or as Angie suggests, do a test stitch using water soluble stabilizer and organza or tulle, just in case. If you don't see those grid lines sewing out first, it's probably not FSL. Hope this helps, hugs, Marji

2 comments

by momhome 31 Jul 2012

Thank you. I knew her designs were FSL, but didn't know how to tell the difference on others. I'm glad Stella asked the question.

by esansom 31 Jul 2012

This is very useful information. Thanks so much. Stella

When you go to her home page where she post the free Angel letter you see that she says it is FSL. I add the FSL to my downloads because not always does it say so. Sometimes you can tell by the high stitch count. If in doubt embroider on Oragnza so it doesn't fall apart.
Angie

2 comments

by esansom 31 Jul 2012

Thanks so very much for the information.
I really needed it. Stella

by crafter2243 31 Jul 2012

Anytime you need help someone will know the answer. Very rarely will you not get a response. I learned most of what I know about embroidery by just reading here and asking questions.