How to Sew Lace Fabric, Sewing with Ease

Learning to sew lace fabric can feel intimidating because of its delicate, decorative nature. However, with the right tools, techniques, and a bit of patience, sewing lace becomes a simple and highly rewarding skill. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to sew different types of lace fabric—including stretch lace, sheer lace, and patterned lace—along with the best seams, lining methods, and finishing techniques for professional results. Whether you’re making a dress, top, or bridal garment, this guide will help you sew lace cleanly, securely, and beautifully.

How to Sew Lace Fabric Tutorial

It’s time to go ahead and make an item of elegance as you learn how to sew lace. Sewing lace conjures up thoughts of all sorts of tricky professional techniques. However, with careful planning and a few helpful tips for sewing on lace, you will find sewing with this classical fabric an easy and rewarding experience. 

Supplies to Sew Lace

Always start by making sure you have the right tools for sewing lace. When learning how to sew lace, you will need:

• PINS – Fine sewing pins
• SEWING NEEDLES – Sharp sewing needles. If you are sewing stretch lace, you will need stretch needles. Always match the size of the sewing needle to the lace fabric weight.
• SEWING MACHINE – A machine that will sew zigzag or a serger machine to sew the seams

How to Sew Lace Fabric (Step by Step)

Before you start, it is important to lay out your lace and let it ‘stretch and breathe’ while you contemplate the best way to bring out all the finer points of this amazing fabric. If necessary, leave it overnight to let any wrinkles relax.

Pre-wash any lace fabrics that will shrink in the wash.

There are three techniques to choose from when learning how to sew lace, depending on the type of lace you are working with:

1. Stretch lace will need a technique to cope with both the stretch and lace combination.
2. Sheer lace, which is very see-through, will need a lining.
3. Fully patterned lace may need to be partly lined.

1. How to Sew Lace that is Stretchy

Stretch lace can be treated like stretch fabric for cutting and preparing.

• Always use sharp scissors when cutting, and be careful not to stretch the lace out of shape as you cut. A sharp rotary cutter can also give you nice clean edges.
• Make sure you are using a stretch needle to avoid skipped stitches.
• When your pattern pieces are ready, decide on a seam style to get the finish you want. Play around a little and perfect the type of seam you think will best suit your garment and fabric.

Seam styles for sewing lace that is stretchy:

• Zigzag stitch on your machine works well but tests the tension on a scrap of fabric before you start. Start testing a zig-zag stitch with a width of 1.5 and a length of 2.5, and adjust it to suit your lace.
• French seams are good if there is not too much bulk in the lace.
• Bias-bound seams are good for strengthening shoulders but are generally too bulky for the remainder of the garment.
• Using a serger to stitch the edges is ideal.

2. How to Sew Lace that is Sheer

Sheer lace generally has a finer and more open pattern and will need to be lined or partly lined. Before you start, always pin and baste meticulously to avoid lace slipping and the frustration of unpicking.

A variation on the lining: Choose to have the lining show through the lace with the shiny side or the matte side up. Alternatively, think about a contrast lining as another way to show off the lace. Imagine a bright pink peeking out from behind your white lace!

How to sew lace for a fully lined garment:

• Cutting: Clever planning and cutting will make sure you get the best out of your fabric. It is a good idea to cut the lining out and then use the lining as the pattern pieces for cutting out the lace. This enables you to place the lining pieces individually on the lace to get the best out of the design.
• Ready to sew: When you have your pieces ready to sew, start by stitching the lining to neaten areas like necklines. Turn the neatened necklines so the lining is on the inside of the garment. Trim closely to the stitching line.
• Darts: The darts also look neater and lie better if they are stitched together using the lining and lace to fold together, creating one stitch line. (Read how to sew darts)
• Stitch seams:  Sew the seams so that the lining and lace are all sewn together. This way, you avoid seeing a lace seam on the outside of the lining. The lace and lining seam will be on the inside of the garment. If your lace has no stretch, you can use a straight stitch.

3. How to Sew Lace that is Patterned

Patterned lace will generally need a partial lining and seamless seams. This technique is often used for wedding dresses such as the one shown here, where the bodice will be partially lined and is suitable for lace with a little more coverage. Lace linings are often made from satin or silk. When learning how to sew lace, it is important to carefully plan and strategize where to place the denser parts of the lace.

A great example of this is many red carpet dresses with their strategic use of lace to reveal and hide the body for maximum impact.

How to Sew Lace and Partially Lining Lace:

1. Place your pattern pieces on the lace fabric, and then, with a basting thread and needle, baste in the seam lines so you can see clearly where the lace will be stitched.
2. Cut the pieces out individually so you can match up patterns and designs to create a seamless effect.
3. Cut the pieces wide of the pattern at the side that is to be ‘seamed’ and then place the thread-marked edges together, taking care to match the lace design so that the fabric now appears to be one piece.
4. Use the zigzag stitch on your machine to zigzag around the design and detail of the lace. You may need to lift your machine foot and turn the lace as you go around delicate corners.
5. When you have joined the pieces, cut away the excess fabric from the back, and you have a clever seamless effect on the lace. Sharp embroidery scissors are ideal for this job.
6. Now you can decide on which pieces of the garment will need some lining and which pieces will stand alone, showing off their delicate design.

Place Lace Motifs Creatively

The final outcome of your lace design is going to depend on your own interpretation of the piece of lace you have chosen.

1. Look at the lace creatively and see how to sew lace and use the borders to finish off the design. 
2. Scallops and changes in the design can be used to add interest to your final garment.
3. Sleeves may look better without lining, and a scalloped edge makes a great decorative hem. 
4. Pretty lining in different shades enhances the beauty of the lace. 
5. Covered lace buttons will add an authentic trim.
6. Use tailor’s tacks instead of pins to avoid snagging or holes.
7. When sewing lace covered in beads or sequins, always remove those that will be caught in the seam.

Pin for Later

How to Sew Lace – In Conclusion

Make your creation a tribute to the legacy of lace, full of originality, and a garment fit for a queen.

• How to Sew Lace Trim (Sewing flat lace in lace inserts)
• Types of Lace

Check out these other fabrics listed alphabetically.

1. CHIFFON – Sewing Chiffon
2. BATIK – What is Batik
3. CANVAS – Sewing Canvas
4. COTTON – Sewing Cotton
5. DENIM – Sewing Denim
6. FELT – Sewing Felt
7. FUR – Sewing Fur
8. KNITS – How to Sew Stretch Fabric
9. INTERFACING – Types of Interfacing
10. LACE – How to Sew Lace
11. LEATHER – Sewing Leather
12. RAYON – Sewing Rayon
13. SHEER – Sewing Sheer Fabrics
14. SILK – How to Sew Silk
15. THICK – Sewing Thick Fabrics
16. VELVET Sewing Velvet
17. WOOL – Sewing Wool