How to Make a Lace Rosette

Turn old lace pieces into rosettes.

Lace rosettes add a touch of softness and femininity to lampshades, coat lapels, purses, plain T-shirts and even hairstyles. Once formed, you can turn the rosettes into elastic chokers, pins, wreaths and garlands. These lacy little flowers are so versatile that you should never throw away any excess lace. Instead, form the lace into rosettes and keep them on hand for decorating emergencies. Use them in apothecary jars as centerpieces, hang them on your Christmas tree or slip them into the bottom of a floating candle display.

Things You'll Need

• Lace
• Scissors
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Cut the lace into 3-inch-wide strips 6 to 7 inches long. You may also use leftover lace ribbon for this project, as long as it's 2 inches or wider.

2. Stitch 1/8-inch stitches about ¼ inch away from one edge of each lace strip. Keep your stitches even, straight and very neat. Leave a 3-inch tail of thread at the end of the lace where you start stitching.

3. Tie three knots, one right on top of the other, in the 3 inch tail at the end of your lace. Cut away the excess thread.

4. Gently tug on the thread at the other end of the lace. The knot will catch in the lace and start to form gathers as you pull.

5. Coil the lace into a circle as you tug, stacking circles on top of each other as you go. Stitch down through the center of the lace when you run out of coils. Knot the thread and snip away the excess.

Tips & Warnings

• For brooches, hairclips and other permanent decorations, stitch a silver or pearl button into the center of each rosette to give it a finished look.

References

• Pizzazzerie: How to Make Lace Rosettes
• Cut Out and Keep: DIY Rosette and Lace Refashioned Tee
• Décor Chick: Rosette Lamps with Easy Tutorial