Beaded Lace Fabric
Fine and corded laces embellished with beads, sequins or pearls for sparkle and texture. For bridal and evening bodices, sleeves and statement details.
- Most lace sold in whole metres
- Panels about 3 m long
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Guide
Beaded Lace: Uses and How to Sew It
What makes beaded lace special, how it compares with our other laces, what to make with it, and tips for sewing it at home.
What is beaded lace?
- Lace with sparkle. Fine or corded lace embellished with beads, sequins or pearls.
- Weighty and dramatic. The beading adds texture, weight and light.
- For special pieces. A favourite for bridal and evening bodices.
Lace types side by side
| Chantilly & fine | Corded | Guipure | Beaded | Stretch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Delicate motifs on a fine net | Motifs outlined with a raised cord | Bold motifs, no net | Beads, sequins or pearls | Fine lace with stretch |
| Feel | Soft and light | Defined, a bit more body | Firm and heavier | Weighty, with sparkle | Soft and stretchy |
| Sheerness | Very sheer | Sheer | Open, with gaps between motifs | Sheer net, dense beading | Sheer |
| Great for | Sleeves, overlays, soft gowns | Bridal bodices and gowns | Statement dresses and tops | Bridal and evening bodices | Fitted bodices and tops |
| To sew | Easy to moderate | Moderate | Tricky: no net, so it shifts and stretches | Trickiest: beads in the seams | Moderate: needs a stretch stitch |
Buying lace
Most of our lace isn't woven in long bolts like our other fabrics. Each lace panel is made about 3 metres long, so it's sold in whole-metre pieces. Because it's made in pieces, if you order more than the length of one panel, it may come in more than one piece.
What to make with it
- Bridal and evening bodices
- Statement sleeves and yokes
- Beaded motifs cut out and sewn onto a gown or veil
- Belts and details
Cutting
- Always cut the lace flat on the table as a single layer: don't fold it and cut double.
- Lay it right side up, so you can see the pattern and the beading.
- Use old scissors for cutting through beaded areas, or snip the threads and move beads aside first.
- Allow extra so you can match motifs across seams.
Sewing
- Before you sew, unpick the beads and sequins from the seam allowances, and keep them to sew back on.
- Use a zipper foot to stitch close to any beads you can't move.
- Sew the beads back on by hand over the seams once the garment is together.
What to put under it
Most lace is worn over another layer. Silk organza gives it body, silk satin adds a soft glow, and a soft tulle in a skin tone gives a barely-there look.
Edges
Use the scalloped or beaded edge as a finished hem where you can. Where you need one elsewhere, cut a scallop from the edge and hand stitch it on.
Pressing
Press face down on a thick, clean towel, on a low setting, through a pressing cloth, so the motifs sink in rather than flatten. Test on a scrap first.
Questions
Can I sew beaded lace on a machine?
Yes, once you've removed the beads from the seam allowances. Sew them back on by hand afterwards.
Is beaded lace heavy?
It's heavier than plain lace, so it's usually worn over a supportive layer.
How is lace sold?
Most of our lace is made in panels about 3 metres long and sold in whole-metre pieces.
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