FSL Rivet Crystal Earrings
Let's Make Some Sparkly Earrings!
You have the embroidery design, you've got your thread, and now it's time to turn a little bit of lace into a seriously cute pair of earrings!
These Freestanding Lace (FSL) Rivet Crystal Earrings are quick, fun, and wonderfully customizable. Choose colors that coordinate, colors that stand out against each other gloriously, or anything in between. Add a sparkling crystal rivet, a pearl, a pretty bead, or whatever makes your creative heart happy.
Ready? Let's make some jewelry! ✨
Gather Your Supplies
Here's what you'll need:
☐ Your embroidery machine + a 4x4 or 5x7 hoop
☐ Wash-away stabilizer
I recommend a sturdy mesh-type wash-away stabilizer such as Fabric Solvy, Aqua Magic, or a similar product. You want enough stability to hold those stitches beautifully while they are stitching, but something that will completely disappear when you're finished.
☐ Earring findings
I particularly like the pinch bail style for these earrings, but use whatever style you love!
My current favorite pinch bail findings
Depending on the type of earring finding you choose, you may also need jump rings.
☐ Flat needle-nose pliers
Helpful for closing pinch bails and adjusting jump rings.
☐ Embroidery thread + matching bobbin thread
Use the thread and bobbin combination recommended for your embroidery machine. Check your machine manual if you're unsure what type of bobbin thread your machine prefers.
☐ A center embellishment
This is where you get to have some fun!
Try:
-
4–15 mm crystal rivets
-
Stone or domed rivets
-
Plain metal rivets
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Pearls
-
Beads
-
Flatback hot-fix crystals
-
Flatback pearls
If you're using a rivet with multiple layers of FSL, pay attention to the length of the post. I prefer LONG posts, approximately 7–9 mm or longer, so there is enough length to pass through all the layers.
Here are a some rivets I like:
☐ Hot water
For rinsing away the wash-away stabilizer.
☐ Sewing awl
Helpful if the center opening needs just a little encouragement to accommodate your rivet.
☐ Clean, soft towel
For drying your finished earrings.
Ready? Let's Stitch!
STEP 1 — Hoop It Up!
Hoop two layers of wash-away stabilizer in your 4x4 hoop.
Make sure your stabilizer is smooth, secure, and ready to support all those pretty little stitches.
Then attach your hoop to your machine and get ready for the fun part!
STEP 2 — Let the Colors Play!
Stitch the design using whatever color combination makes you happy.
Coordinate your colors. Contrast them. Make them match your outfit. Go completely wild.
There are no wrong colors here! 🌈
Use matching bobbin thread for your design unless your particular machine or thread combination calls for something different.
A VERY IMPORTANT LITTLE DETAIL:
Every time you change colors, trim your thread tails!
Trim the stray threads from both the front AND back of your hoop at every color change.
It may seem like a tiny thing, but taking a few seconds to clean up those thread tails as you go will give you a much cleaner finished earring.
STEP 3 — The Big Finish!
Once your FSL pieces are completely stitched, carefully remove them from the hoop.
Now it's time to turn those lace pieces into jewelry!
The center circle marks the area designed for your crystal rivet, stone rivet, or regular metal rivet.
If your rivet post doesn't quite slide through the opening, don't panic!
Use a sewing awl to gently enlarge the opening until your rivet fits.
Go slowly. You can always make the opening a little larger, but you can't make it smaller again. 😉
STEP 4 — Add Your Sparkle!
Insert your rivet through the center opening and secure it with the cap on the back, following the instructions that came with your particular rivets.
Want to see exactly how I secure mine?
Watch my rivet tutorial here:
https://youtu.be/iLGg_xF2E1c
Want to do something different?
You absolutely can!
The center doesn't have to hold a rivet.
You could sew a pearl or bead into the center instead. If you choose this option, make sure your stitches pass securely through all of the FSL layers so your embellishment has a strong foundation.
You can also use a flatback hot-fix crystal or pearl, but make sure your layers are securely joined before attaching it.
This is your chance to make these earrings completely yours!
STEP 5 — Add Your Earring Findings
If you're using pinch bail style findings, position the pinch bail at the top of your FSL earring and gently squeeze it closed with your flat needle-nose pliers.
Make sure it is firmly attached before adding your earwire.
Using a different style of finding?
No problem!
Attach your preferred finding directly to the little loop at the top of the FSL piece, or use a jump ring if your particular hardware requires one.
STEP 6 — Admire Your Work!
That's it!
You made earrings! 🎉
Give them a little wiggle. Hold them up to the light. Try them on.
And then, naturally, take approximately 47 pictures because they're adorable. 😉
A Few Creative Ideas
Don't stop at earrings!
These little FSL designs can also make beautiful mini ornaments, zipper pulls, charms, gift tags, or other decorative accessories.
Try changing the center embellishment to create a completely different look:
✨ Crystal for sparkle
🤍 Pearl for elegance
🩶 Metal rivet for a modern look
🌈 Bright bead for a playful look
💎 Rhinestone for maximum glamour
The same design can look completely different just by changing your thread colors and center embellishment.
Now Go Show Them Off!
I'd LOVE to see what you make!
Share your finished earrings with us in the Designs by Babymoon Friends and Fans Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BabymoonBoutiqueEmbroideryDesignsFans
And don't forget to show us your color combinations and embellishment choices. I want to see what you come up with!
Happy stitching, and may your earrings be ridiculously cute! 💕