Inserting Lace using an Overlocker / Serger

Inserting lace into a skirt or bodice is a really lovely technique that adds interest and a little bit of vintage charm to an outfit. There are many ways to do so, including hemming, french hemming, straight stitching, hand sewing etc. I thought this Jasmine dress would be perfect with a lace insert. The fabric I'm using a gorgeous new range from Riley Blake Designs called Gingham Gardens. It's designed by My Minds Eye and is such a lovely floral range with a rich palette of charcoal, teal, coral, gold and creamy tones. I loved this range so much that I ended up making both my nieces a Jasmine dress!

Another easy way to insert lace into a dress skirt is to simply use your overlocker / serger to attach the lace. This involves a small bit of mathematics before you start as the skirt will need to be split into two pieces. Work out how far down you want the lace to sit in the skirt (I placed mine approximately 3/4 of the way down), and recalculate the skirt dimensions based on how wide your lace is. You will have the top portion of the skirt, the lace, and then the bottom portion of the skirt. Don't forget to calculate the seam allowances you need too!

To attach the lace to the top portion of the skirt, place the lace right sides together over the skirt, and align one edge of the lace to the raw edge of the skirt. Overlock/serge to attach it. Be careful not to trim any of the fabric or lace. I'm using my Babylock Acclaim overlocker from My Sewing Supplies in Sydney, it's a brilliant machine and has air threading which is such a treat after years and years of fighting with my previous overlocker when threading it!

Press the seam back toward the fabric.

Place the bottom portion of the skirt over the lace, right sides together again. Align the raw edges and overlock/serge to attach it. Don't trim any of the fabric or lace here either! For this Jasmine dress, I cut my bottom portion of the skirt on the fold to eliminate the need to hem.

Press the seams back towards the fabric on each side.

Topstitch the seam allowances in place.

Look how pretty that looks!