Quilter 53

First off, let me say thank you for starting this section on QB. The original machine embroidery post was getting too long and hard to find an answer to anything. At least for me.

I've only been machine embroidering for 18 months and not a lot at that. Had to take my machine in for service, a Pfaff Creative 4.0, and just got it back this week, so I thought I would try some Christmas themed door hangars. This is done as free standing lace, and for the most part I like the results. But the close up photo shows how the water soluble stabilizer just kind of disappeared in the dense stitching. Should I have used 2 layers, or more?

How do you decide how many layers to use before you start?
Would it have been better to stitch this out on cloth and then cut it out like it was an applique?

All suggestions appreciated.[ATTACH=CONFIG]605245[/ATTACH]

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Also, I've tried ironing it to keep the corners from curling. As you can see, it didn't last.
Karen