Lace Appliques Guide - How to Sew on Lace Applique?

Types of Lace Applique

Lace appliques are decorative elements that are applied to fabric or clothing items to enhance their overall appearance. They can be made from a wide range of materials, including silk, cotton, or synthetic fibers, and come in various styles, patterns, and sizes. Lace appliques are perfect to add to your wedding gowns and special occasion dresses. Imagine a plain white wedding gown with some beautiful appliqués on it. It will be perfect to put you in the spotlight.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of lace appliques and how they can be used in formal wear.

Floral Lace Applique

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pair of soft and elegant floral ivory lace applique — floral ivory lace applique

Floral lace appliques are one of the most popular types of lace appliques. These appliques feature a variety of floral motifs and are often used to add a delicate touch to clothing, wedding dresses, and other formal wear. Floral lace appliques can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers.

Embroidered Lace Applique

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delicate and detailed floral embroidery lace applique — floral embroidery lace applique

Embroidered lace appliques are made by embroidering a design onto a piece of lace fabric. This type of lace applique is commonly used in bridal wear, evening gowns, and other formal dresses. Embroidered lace appliques can also be used to add embellishment to home decor items, such as throw pillows or curtains.

Beaded Lace Applique

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beaded floral pattern ivory white heavy lace applique — beaded floral lace applique

Beaded lace appliques are made by sewing beads and sequins onto a lace fabric. This type of lace applique is often used in bridal wear, evening gowns, and other formal dresses. Beaded lace appliques can be made from a variety of materials, including glass beads, plastic beads, and metal sequins.

Sequinned Lace Applique

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Sequinned lace appliques are a popular choice for adding a touch of sparkle and glamour to garments or accessories. These appliques are often used to embellish the neckline, sleeves, or waistbands of garments, and can be easily attached using fabric glue or a sewing machine. Sequined lace appliques can also be used to create intricate patterns, adding texture and interest to any design.

How Do You Sew Lace Applique on Formal Wear?

Making your own lace applique formal wear can be a fun and creative project that allows you to customize your outfit to your personal style. Not only can you add lace appliques to your garment but also your shoes, handbags, and accessories.

Here are some steps to get started:

Choose your fabric Select a fabric that is appropriate for formal wear such as silk, chiffon, or satin. Make sure the fabric is in a solid color that will contrast well with the lace applique. You will need a garment you wish to decorate--sometimes simple lines and solid color work best. There are numerous clothing patterns for simple yet elegant garments if you wish to sew your base garment. Otherwise, when buying a base garment, consider where you would add lace.
Create your lace applique Choose a lace that is appropriate for formal wear and complements your fabric color. You can cut out flowers, flower groupings, etc., from the lace fabric. If you only want a few appliques, a yard of lace fabric will suffice. You also can purchase lace applique from a craft store or online. Once you are satisfied with the design, pin the motifs onto the fabric. If using a store-bought applique, it is possible the applique will simply iron on. If so, follow your applique's directions.
Attach the lace applique Cut out a piece of fabric to back your lace applique. This fabric can be an exact match to your dress or a contrasting color meant to show through the lace. Use a needle and thread to attach the lace applique to the fabric. You can either hand-sew or use a sewing machine. If you are hand-sewing, use a small, tight stitch to secure the lace applique to the fabric. If you are using a sewing machine, use a zig-zag stitch or a satin stitch to attach the lace applique.
Finish the edges Pin the appliques where you think they should go. Arrange them on your garment until you like the overall effect. Make sure each applique can lie flat, without bunching up. Once you have attached the lace applique, trim the fabric edges to ensure a neat finish. You can finish the edges with a serger or a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying.
Add any additional embellishments If desired, you can add other embellishments such as beads or sequins to further customize your formal wear. Decorate your applique with beads. Using a beading needle, sew seed beads, rocailles, or bugle beads onto your applique. Just as with glitter, you decide how much or how little decoration is needed. Use the seed beads or rocailles for filling in patches. Any bead can be used to line the edges. Add gemstones for sparkle. Gemstones (or rhinestones) fit nicely as a flower's center. You might add them between flowers to fill in some of the lacy voids.
Final touched Once you have completed the lace applique, finish your formal wear by sewing any additional seams or hems and pressing the garment with a warm iron.