| Step 1 |
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Begin by stitching the wing pieces (FL66 & GL49). Hoop a water soluble stabilizer, and use embroidery tape to place the fabric for the wings over it. We used a shiny, transparent organza fabric, and a black bobbin thread to match the top thread.
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| Step 2 |
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Stitch the first color stop, which outlines the wing and also draws its vein details.
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| Step 3 |
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Stop the machine and cut away the excess fabric from the hooped stabilizer.
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| Step 4 |
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Stitch the rest of the design, which provides a satin stitched edge.
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| Step 5 |
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Now you can cut away the excess stabilizer. We recommend not washing the stabilizer out yet.
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| Step 6 |
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Prepare applique pieces of fabric for both sides of the bee's body, according to the design patterns. You may wish to review the techniques on making and using applique templates.
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| Step 7 |
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Now hoop some removable stabilizer. In our example, we're using fibrous water soluble stabilizer. However, for a thicker finished bee, you can use a black tearaway stabilizer instead. Begin stitching the back side of your bee (this is the file that ends with a “b”). Pictured is the back side of “Bee Positive” (FL67b). Place the applique fabric piece for the bee's body, and continue stitching.
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| Step 8 |
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When the piece is finished, cut away the excess stabilizer. We recommend waiting until the entire bee is finished to wash out all of the stabilizer.
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| Step 9 |
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Now we're going to stitch the rest of the bee, and assemble it -- all at the embroidery machine. Put a black bobbin in your embroidery machine for the best finished look.
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| Step 10 |
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Hoop two layers of fibrous water soluble stabilizer. Begin the embroidery, and once the applique mark has stitched, stop. Place the bee's wings and the applique fabric piece for the front of the bee's body. An embroidery adhesive works well to keep the bee's body in place.
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| Step 11 |
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After the limbs and body stripes have stitched, the mark line for the back of the bee's body will stitch.
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| Step 12 |
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Remove your hoop, and and place the bee's body piece, which you have already completed, within the mark line on the underside of the hoop. Once again, an embroidery adhesive works well.
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| Step 13 |
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Replace the hoop on the machine and continue stitching. The back piece will be stitched in place, and a border will stitch around the entire body.
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| Step 14 |
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Now you can fully remove the stabilizer by washing the bee. Once dried, he's ready to be attached to your mobile.
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| Step 15 |
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Complete as many bees as you would like for your mobile. Ours includes all nine bees.
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| Step 16 |
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Cut four pieces of monofilament (fishing line) approximately 12" long. With a needle & thread, attach four bees to monofilament.
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| Step 17 |
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Tie the end of the monofilament around the ends of two 22cm brass bell pull rods, trimming to approximately a 7" hanging length.
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| Step 18 |
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Now you have four bees attached to the bell pull rods.
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| Step 19 |
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Next, we'll attach four more bees. Cut four pieces of monofilament 7" in length. With a needle & thread, attach these pieces to the next four bees. Next, attach these four bees to the bottom edges of the previous four. For each new bee, this should yield approximately a 4" hanging length from the upper bee.
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| Step 20 |
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Next, we'll cross and secure the two bell pull rods. Place a dot of tacky glue on wired ribbon, and align the glue with the crossed rods. Tie, wrap, and knot the ribbon.
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| Step 21 |
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The ninth bee hangs in the center of our mobile. Attach this bee to monofilament thread, and tie this to the cross in the two rods, creating a 4" hanging length.
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| Step 22 |
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Lastly, when you hang the mobile, make sure it is safely out of baby's reach. Its bright colors and movement will make it fun to look at.
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