A lace trim with openwork patterns can give any sleeve an old-world feminine charm. The simplest method of adding lace is to hem the sleeve and sew the lace to the edge, just as it is. But there are other prettier and more visually striking ways of adding lace trims to sleeves.
Related post: Types of lace with pictures ; Sewing machine settings for lace material
Here are 2 of my favorite methods.
Inset the lace
In this method, lace trim is inserted into a cut-out section of another fabric.
The lace trim is added between the fabric as part of the sleeve, which lies flush with the fabric of the sleeve. The openwork design of the lace gives a tantalizing, see-through effect to the sleeve. You have to use a straight-edged lace for this.
Cut out the sleeve pattern. Now mark the area where the lace will be inset. Cut the sleeve pattern where you want to insert the lace trim.
(You may want to add extra length to take into account seam allowance of 1 inch; the width of the lace trim (of 1 inch) compensates for 1 inch for the cut edges).
Step 1
First, keep the lace trim on top of the top sleeve edge, as in the picture below. Place the lace ensuring it is flush with the cut edge. The sleeve is kept right side up and lace is kept right side down.
Sew the lace trim in place. The stitching should be neat and as close to the edge of the lace as possible.
Step 2
Turn the cut edge of the fabric to the back. Press in place.
Top stitch the edge.
Now this has to be joined to the other fabric of the sleeve.
Step 3.
Keep the other fabric piece just under the lace.
Sew along the outer edge.
Step 4
Turn the cut edge to the back.
Sew it in place.
Add lace with piping
Instead of just adding the lace trim on its own, you can make it pop with a piping made of a contrasting color.
Cut out 3 inch wide fabric to make piping. Keep the piping cord inside.
Keep this piping on the edge of the lace trim (right side). Sew in place
Here is how it will look.
Keep the lace trim on the sleeve, just where you want the hem to be. The lace is kept right side down.
Sew close to the piping.
Take the edge to the back, bringing the piping and the lace edge on the edge of the sleeve. Stitch in place.
If you can’t go to all that trouble, just sew the trim from the outside – it will still look pretty as it does on this knit top.
Related posts: Sleeve hem types
