Embroidered Tulle
Tulle embroidered with fine thread designs, from delicate florals and ferns to bold, modern and 3D patterns. Mostly ivory, plus black and a few colours.
- Sold by the metre
- Longer lengths, not panels
- Most 130 to 140 cm wide
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Guide
Embroidered Tulle: Uses and How to Sew It
What embroidered tulle is, how it compares with our other embellished tulles, what to make with it, and easy tips for sewing it at home.
What is embroidered tulle?
- Thread embroidery on a fine tulle. From delicate florals and ferns to bold, modern and 3D designs.
- Light and soft. It drapes more like a fine lace than a beaded tulle.
- Finished borders. Many have a scalloped or embroidered edge you can use as a ready-made hem.
- Ivory and colours. Mostly ivory, plus black and a few colours.
Embellished tulles side by side
| Embroidered | Beaded | Sequinned | 3D and mixed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Thread embroidery, often with a scalloped border | Pearls, bugle beads, seed beads or crystals | Sequins, some mixed with beads | Raised 3D flowers, feathers, pearls and beads together |
| Feel | Light and soft | Weightier | Light to medium | Textured and dramatic |
| Sparkle | None to a little | A soft shimmer to lots of light | The most sparkle | Varies with the design |
| Great for | Sleeves, overlays, full gowns | Bodices, overlays, statement panels | Evening wear, bodices, overlays | Bridal gowns, bodices, statement details |
| To sew | Easiest: sews like a fine lace | Tricky: beads in the seams | Moderate: sequins in the seams | Trickiest: mixed embellishment |
Buying embellished tulle
Our embellished tulles come off the roll, so they're sold by the metre in longer lengths, not in panels like most of our lace. Most are 110 to 140 cm wide: each product shows its width.
What to make with it
- Sheer sleeves, yokes and overlays
- Full skirts and bridal gowns
- Tops and dresses with a scalloped hem
- Christening gowns
- Motifs cut out and sewn onto a gown or veil
Cutting
- Always cut it flat on the table as a single layer: don't fold it and cut double.
- Lay it right side up and place the scalloped border along hems, necklines and sleeve ends before you cut.
- Line up the main motifs across the front, back and sleeves, and allow extra for matching.
- Use pattern weights instead of lots of pins.
Sewing
- Use a fresh, fine needle (size 70) and a slightly shorter stitch. Sew over tissue paper if the tulle catches, then tear it away.
- For invisible seams and darts, overlap the pieces, stitch around the outline of a motif by hand or with a narrow zigzag, then trim away the extra tulle underneath.
- If your tulle has a few sequins, snip them out of the seam allowances before you sew, and stitch them back afterwards.
- For a fitted bodice, underline it with silk organza: hand tack the organza to the wrong side of each piece, then sew the two as one.
What to put under it
Embellished tulle is usually worn over another layer. Silk crepe satin or duchess satin make a beautiful base for a gown, and a soft tulle in a skin tone gives a barely-there look for sleeves and illusion backs.
Edges
Many of our embellished tulles have a finished border you can use as the hem. Otherwise, trim close to the outline of a motif. Tulle doesn't fray, so you can leave the edge as it is, or face it with a narrow strip of tulle or silk organza for a cleaner finish.
Pressing
Press face down on a thick, clean towel, on a low setting, through a pressing cloth, so the embellishment sinks in rather than flattens. Test on a scrap first.
Questions
Embroidered tulle or lace?
Embroidered tulle is a tulle with thread embroidery stitched onto it, so it's usually lighter and more open than a lace. It sews much like a fine lace.
Does embroidered tulle fray?
No. The tulle doesn't fray, so you can cut close to the embroidery without the edge coming apart.
Is it sold in panels?
No. Our embellished tulles come off the roll, so they're sold by the metre in longer lengths.
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