|
Lace Ruffle Tunic by Beki Wilson.
Lacy Clutch by Rebeka Lambert.
|
|
Designing with Lace
Now
that summer is here, I have finally put away all my layered clothing
and have pulled out the romantic summer dresses I will live in for the
next few months. I also have several summer dress patterns in my sewing
queue that I can't wait to make and wear. From modern simplicity to
vintage-inspired, there are so many fun design details you can play with
on summer clothes.
One
of the techniques I want to play with is layering see-through fabrics
for interesting texture effects. A fun way to do this is with lace. Now,
I'm the first person to admit that I'm not a super-girly dresser, so
lacy, ruffled, fussy stuff is not really my thing. But increasingly I've
seen designers use lace in very modern and unexpected ways, which has
me very intrigued. From layering it over prints and bold colors to using
it as trims for hems, bands, and peeking out of necklines to
contrasting it with unexpected fabric textures, lace has so many
possibilities no matter where you fall on the girly-dressing spectrum.
Use a little or a lot for just the right touch of detail.
Of
course, lace isn't just for clothing. You can use it to great effect on
home décor, accessories, and small gifty projects, too. And it makes a
fun embellishment used as appliqué or in cutouts.
Now
I know that lace can sometimes be a little tricky to sew, but all you
need to do is follow a few tips to make it super easy. Stitch magazine contributing writer Linda Turner Griepentrog wrote up some great sewing techniques and creative ideas in our Spring 2010 issue about how to sew with lace that are very helpful.
Lace Tips & Tricks
All
laces have a net or mesh background and surface stitch patterns of
various configurations, giving the lace a specific name. Historically,
laces were named by the European city where the pattern originated, such
as Chantilly or Alençon. When shopping for lace, check out different
varieties: allover lace fabric, sometimes with shaped edges; insertion
lace with two straight edges (for placing between two other fabrics);
and lace trim with one or both edges finished or shaped.
When working with lace, keep these ideas and tips in mind:
-
Try using shaped lace edges as a neckline, hem, or sleeve finish for an
added romantic touch. Simply adjust the layout and pattern accordingly.- Cut away fabric under lace appliqués or trims for a see-through effect.
- In lieu of interfacing, use tulle for added body.
-
Cut lace into individual motifs or strips to use on seam edges. When
making lapped seams with continuous lace, match any scallops on
trims/edges for an unbroken patterning.
|
Modern Eyelet Pillow by Blair Stocker.
Travel Lingerie Bag by Blair Stocker.
|
|
-
To avoid flattening, steam lace on a terry-cloth towel by holding the
iron above it. Use a low temperature to avoid melting nylon laces and
bead or sequin embellishments.
-
Apply stretch laces to lingerie or camisoles with a narrow zigzag. On
non-stretch lace, use straight-stitch seams. Keep seams tiny to avoid
show through. Finish trimmed edges with a narrow stitch or bind seams
with sheer tricot to soften.
These
easy-to-follow tips should take the fear out of sewing with lace and
get you inspired to try some of our lacy ePattern projects that use lace
fabric and trims. And while you are in the sewing mood, check out the
rest of the new patterns just added to our online store. Enjoy the
summer!
Happy sewing,
