DIY Skirt with Lace Trim
Lace is "in" again and lace-trimmed skirts are popular for women and girls of all ages. Any straight edge of a skirt might be trimmed with lace but the hem is the most frequent choice of location. Adding lace to a tailored style makes it dramatic, while adding lace to a lightweight print makes it summery and feminine.
Things You'll Need
- Skirt
- Measuring tape
- Lace trim
- Needle
- Sewing machine
- Thread to match skirt
- Scissors
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose an A-line skirt, new or from the closet, to trim with lace. The fabric of the skirt may be anything from velvet to calico, solid colors or lively prints. Simple dark or light washed denim is a perfect choice for lace trim. A plain black tailored skirt would become notable with an edge of black lace just under the hem.
-
2
Measure the distance around the bottom of the skirt at the very bottom of the hemline. Add 2 or 3 inches to the measurement to allow for overlap, ease or errors.
-
-
3
Buy lace trim or lace edging in the measured amount from a fabric or sewing supply store. Depending on the look desired, the edging might be very narrow or lavishly wide. It might be flat or gathered. The color might match or contrast.
-
4
Pin the edging to the inside of the hem of the skirt. Try on the skirt. Adjust the position of the edging if necessary. The correct position will depend on the total desired length of the skirt or on the amount of lace below the hem that looks best.
-
5
Sew the lace inside the hem of the skirt by hand or by machine, using thread that matches the skirt. Hand stitching will probably be less conspicuous than machine stitching but stitching by machine will be more secure. Try to keep hand stitching very small. The ends of the trim may overlap neatly or may be butted against each other and secured with stitching. Begin and end the stitching in the back of the skirt.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Adding lace to the hem of the skirt will make the skirt longer, depending on how much lace shows. Keep this in mind when selecting the skirt and the trim. A ruffled lace edging will be more feminine than a narrow band of lace but either is equally pretty around a hem.
Do not sew the lace on top of the hem and do not allow the band at the top of the edging to show.
References
- Photo Credit lady"s handkerchif with hand-made laces image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
