Types of Lace
What are the different types of lace styles that are used in fashion and home décor?
Get to know the different types of lace that are out there. Be able to recognize each type of lace and differentiate them from one another. For example, can you tell the difference between an Alencon lace trim and a Chantilly lace trim? Wide lace trims and patterns are often used for dresses, skirts, blouses, and pullover tops. Narrow lace trims with straight edges are often used as outer decoration for home décor items and dress and skirt hems. The narrow lace trims that are cut with scalloped edges are also used for trimmings on a dress, but have also been a popular addition for decorating women’s underwear and lingerie. Lace styles that contain slits or eyelets are designed with the intention of running pieces of yarn or ribbon through the holes. Some narrow laces are elasticized, while others cannot be stretched.
Below is a list of different types of lace.
Lace Type: Gathered Lace Trim
Gathered lace trim is recognizable by its ruffled, scalloped appearance that is held together by a single, straight band. It is very simple to stitch. We got some great sewing tips for gathering lace trim to make your own gathered lace.
Lace Type: Insertion Lace Trim
Insertion lace trim is recognized for its band design with a dainty and intricate pattern that is embroidered in between two selvage edges. If you would like a creative and unique way to unite two pieces of fabric into one, use a lace insertion trim to cover the sewn edges. Let's look at some DIY Insertion lace trim that will give the fabric a stylish and elegant appearance.
Lace Type: Beading Lace Trim
Beading lace trim is one of the most versatile lace trims in the design world. Yet, beading lace trim is noted for its minimal appearance. A lace trim with beading includes slits and openings along the middle of the band for intertwining ribbons or even other smaller lace trims. Do-It-Yourself with Beading lace trim has many uses after all.
Lace Type: Edging Lace Trim
Edging lace trim has an asymmetrical form. One side of the edging lace band is completely straight or only slightly scalloped, while the other side is noticeably scalloped or crafted with an open design. Lace edging is commonly seen outlining vintage tablecloths, blouses, fashionable everyday dresses, scarves, and curtain valances.
Lace Type: Cluny Lace Trim
Cluny lace is made from heavy yarns that might look as if it has been hand crocheted. It has various paddle or wheel designs that can have raised embroidered dots and knots, which give the lace a distinct and exclusive look.
Lace Type: Floral Lace Trim
Its pattern is the more noticeable part of the lace trim. Flowers are one of the most prevalent motifs on lace trims. The reason for this is because they are designed in the form of a circle or oval. If the flower pattern is not complete, some of its parts are circular. The flowing, curving lines of the floral forms adapt themselves effortlessly into lace.
Lace Type: Galloon Lace Trim
Galloon lace has rounded or curved edges with a complex and intricate design in the middle. This aforementioned intricate design often includes flowers, leaves, crowns, and paisleys. The versatile uses for Galloon lace trim are unlimited. Sew it around the hems of your wedding dress, drape it across the headband of your wedding veil, or turn it into a necklace for an upscale event.
Lace Type: Stretch Lace Trim
Stretch lace trim offers an elastic quality as well as an alluring appearance. This makes it a popular choice in the production of women's undergarments.
Lace Type: Stiff Lace Trim
Stiff lace trim is noted for its stiffness to preserve the shape of the trim. Crafting and home décor accessorizing are the primary uses for stiff lace trim. Wreaths and home centerpieces contain stiff lace trim.
Lace Type: Flat Lace Trim
Flat lace trim is a wonderful decorative trim for everyday objects, accessories, crafts projects and even fashionable everyday dresses.
Lace Type: Chantilly Lace Trim
Chantilly lace is known for its open design patterns and fine threads. The delicate design motifs that are created on a piece of Chantilly lace are often tree branches and flowers. These motifs are linked together with ribbon and scroll patterns sewn into the fabric. Completion of the edges and outlining patterns involves the use of picots. Much like Alencon lace, Chantilly lace is very popular in the fashion world. Chantilly lace fabrics can be seen in bridal gowns, cocktail dresses, and assorted formal wear.
Lace Type: Ruffled Lace Trim
Ruffled lace edging is recognizable by its ruffled appearance that is held together by a single row of stitching and edging is used as a border to outline and to sharpen the appearance of the design.
Lace Type: Picot Lace Trim
Picot lace can be recognized by the loops along the edge which creates an artistic charm.
Lace Type: Scalloped Lace Trim
The standout feature of scalloped lace trim is the wavy profile along the outer edges. This curved design allows designers to employ creativity when attaching it to a garment or other item.Some scalloped lace trims, particularly galloons, are wavy on each side. Other scalloped lace trims, mainly flounces, are straight on one side but scalloped on the other. This allows for a simple attachment to a hem or seam edge.
Lace Type: Medallion Lace Trim
Medallion lace trim has circular shape pattern and grand and regal in its appearance. Ornamentation of home furnishings is the most common use for medallion lace. Doilies, coasters, tablecloths, napkins, and blankets often use medallion lace as a design form.
Lace Type: Filet Lace Trim
Filet lace trim is a simple form of machine-made lace that is one of the oldest methods of designing lace patterns. Alternative names for filet lace are: Embroidery on Knotted Net, Lacis, Filet Brode, and Poinct Conte. Crocheting or darning the design over a square mesh net that is shaped like a grid creates filet lace designs. This net can be either knotted or woven. Darning the thread in and out of the net that forms the backdrop forms the design.