Cotton Lace
Soft, matte lace made with cotton and nylon, with scalloped and eyelash edges and matching trims. In ivory and black, for bridal, christening and debutante wear.
- 3 colours
- From $24.20 per metre
Guide
Cotton Lace: Uses and How to Sew It
What our cotton laces are like, how they compare with our other laces, and easy tips for sewing them at home.
About our cotton lace
- Soft and matte. Cotton gives these laces a soft handle and a gentle, matte look, without the shine of an all-nylon lace.
- Cotton and nylon blends. About half cotton, with nylon for strength, so the lace keeps its shape.
- Scalloped edges. Bold Floral Lace (1663) has double scallops and an eyelash edge, with matching trims in ivory and black. Directional Floral Lace (1581) has deep scallops at both ends.
Cotton lace or fine nylon lace?
We sell both. Here's how they differ.
| Cotton lace | Chantilly & fine lace | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Soft and matte, with bold, defined motifs | Delicate motifs on a very fine net |
| Feel | Soft, with a little more body | Light and very sheer |
| Great for | Bridal, christening and debutante wear | Sleeves, overlays and soft gowns |
Buying cotton lace
Our cotton laces are made in panels about 3 metres long, and the 1663 trims in lengths of about 2.85 metres, so if you order more than one panel's length it may come in more than one piece.
What to make with it
- Bridal gowns, bodices and sleeves
- Christening gowns
- Debutante dresses
- Scalloped hems and necklines, with the matching trim
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 and place the scalloped edge along hems, necklines and sleeve ends before you cut.
- Directional Floral Lace (1581) has a one-way design, so cut every piece with the flowers facing the same way.
- Line up the main motifs across the front, back and sleeves, and allow extra for matching.
Sewing
- Use a fresh, fine needle (size 70) and a fine mercerised cotton thread in a matching colour.
- For invisible joins, overlap two pieces, stitch around the outline of a motif, then trim away the extra lace.
- Sew the trim on by hand along its motif outline, so it lies flat and moves with the fabric.
What to put under it
Cotton lace is usually worn over another layer. Silk organza gives it body, silk satin adds a soft glow, and silk cotton voile keeps the whole look soft and matte.
Ivory and matching
Ivory varies from one lace or fabric to another, so we always recommend ordering samples of the lace and the fabric you'll put under it, and comparing them side by side.
Edges
With a scalloped or eyelash edge there's nothing to hem: just use the finished edge. Where you need a scallop somewhere else, add the matching trim or cut a scallop from the edge of the lace and stitch it on along the motif outline.
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
What is cotton lace?
Lace made with cotton, here blended with nylon for strength. It has a soft handle and a matte look.
Is cotton lace good for a wedding dress?
Yes. Its soft, matte look suits bridal gowns, and it's also lovely for christening and debutante wear.
Do you have a matching trim?
Yes. Bold Floral Lace (1663) has a matching trim in ivory and black.
How is cotton lace sold?
Our cotton laces are made in panels about 3 metres long, so longer orders may come in more than one piece.
Wholesale for fashion labels, bridal studios and designers buying in bulk. Apply for an account
