Things you will need are: your embroidery hoop (smallest that'll fit the design is best), water soluble stabilizer (I prefer the Vilene sort like this one for lace), rayon machine embroidery thread and a bobbin wound in the same thread for each colour in the design. Not pictured, a small piece of ribbon.
Hoop up your stabilizer. You'll notice my piece is way too big and I've hooped it to the side, you'll see why in a later step.
Take the hoop to the machine and stitch it out. I've moved the design to the far left but it will load in the centre of the hoop.
This is why I hooped and stitched the design this way, I've just cut off the piece with the design and I can use the other piece again. If you're using a roll of stabilizer, this is a great way to get the most efficient use out of it.
Trim off the excess stabilizer.
I'm going to use a bowl of water for the next step for the sake of photography. My cat inspected it for me. It was deemed suitable.
Soak your design either in a bowl or under running water. The temperature of the water will depend on the stabilizer you use, but generally the cooler the better as you get less distortion than if you used warm/hot water.
If your design curls up a bit after soaking, don't panic! Sometimes the type of thread, needle, stabilizer and design just don't play nice together.
Grab a piece of paper towel and lay the design out flat, then fold the paper towel over the design so it is sandwiched flat in between. I like to place this sandwich under something heavy so it dries flat.
If after letting the design dry it's not sitting perfectly flat (like mine), give it a light iron. Use a medium setting with a light cloth or paper towel over the top.
If you want to hang the ornament, thread the piece of ribbon through the loop. That's it, you're done!
To see the available designs for free standing lace in my Etsy store, please click/tap here: BelsEmbroidery Etsy store