Start with an 1" to 1 1/2" piece of lace. Cut it the width of the edge you are sewing. Then either finish the bottom of the sleeve/edge with a tight zigzag or serge it.
Lay the piece of lace over the edge so that some pretty part of the lace is hanging over the edge and pin.
Now sew two parallel lines line at the top edge of the lace about 1/4 in apart. This will form the casing. There is no need to sew the lace down to the garment more than this.
I just stitched one row of stitching near the top edge, now I moved down 1/4" to stitch the second row. |
Thread a blunt needle with thin ribbon about 8"- 10" longer than the width of edge.
Here I am getting ready to thread thru the casing with the threaded blunt needle |
I came up out of the lace in the center and went down again to continue, leaving a loop in the center. |
Here is what it will look like when it is done. I always tack the ribbon at the sides.
When the side seams are sewn next, the ribbon can be pulled up and tied, and this is the final effect. This method can be used for anything that needs a casing, so pretty and easy too.