Emma walker
Not all lace needs dresses, but all dresses need lace, and this is true. But, what types of lace one should use on which type of dress?
Lace, a delicate fabric, sequined on machines or by hands using yarns or threads.
At the start laceworks were used to enhance dresses, however now types of lace for wigs are another trending thing, women are interested to have.
So, are you excited to know, literally all types of lace?
This guide has it all.
You will learn about different lacing and their use as well.
So, without wasting a time let’s start.
How Many Types of Laces Are There?
Laces are of various kinds and are considered an important part of apparel and accessories for fashion and style.
The main categories are Needle Lace, Bobbin Lace, knitted lace, and crocheted lace, etc.
Openwork is prepared by using different types of lace fabric, which include Linen, Silk, or Gold. While silk, gold, and silver lace are the most popular for wedding gowns and bridal dresses.
However, lace isn’t just used on wedding gowns, but sleeping dresses, nighties, casual frocks, blouses, and coats – every dress style you should know is embarked with lace.
Here you go with each lace name with the picture.
Types of Lace with Pictures:
1. Bobbin Lace:
Bobbin lace is also known as pillow lace. The lace is made by using series of threads are intertwined around bobbins to prepare it.
Bobbin lace is used perfectly for tapestries, to accent and embellish clothing, and to enhance furnishing covers.
2. Chantilly Lace:
Chantilly lace is readied by using a plane net fabric as the background and enhancing it with the scallop-edged sequin designs.
The frayed edges make Chantilly lace perfect to use on the hemline and bottom borders to give a perfect scallop finish to the edges.
FYI: at the start, Chantilly lace was available just in black but now used in almost all colors.
3. Lace Trim:
This lace trim type is mainly used to enhance the borders and edges of the clothes and that’s why also known as edging lace.
The main difference between edging lace and Chantilly lace is that the latter has frayed edges and formed on the net fabric while the former has a scalloped edge with no frays on corners.
The lace is mainly used to enhance the bedsheets, pillow covers, tapestries, dupattas, and scarves.
It is also known as picot lace trim.
4. Tatting Lace:
Tatting is actually a tool or technique like bobbing and lace made by using it is known as tatting lace. Tatting lace is made by using hands and cotton threads with tatting techniques.
As the tool used in making tatting lace is a shuttle, hence another name for this design becomes shuttle lace.
Shuttle lace is used to accent pillow covers, old quilts, table covers, and handkerchiefs, etc.
5. Ricrac Lace:
Ricrac is actually a lace with zigzag patterns. It is based on a long straight border that has upward and downward zig-zag edges.
It is manufactured by using machines and Ric Rac Lace is one of the newly introduced lace types.
It is used on the sides of trousers for enhanced style.
6. French Embroidered Lace:
a lace that’s manufactured and readied in France, is called French lace.
In other sequins, you find a piece of border to attach to the edges of your cloth. However, in types of French lace, you get complete embroidered fabric.
French embroidered lace is mainly used for wedding dresses and bridals.
7. Insertion Lace:
Insertion lace, as the name denotes is used to insert between two pieces to lace them together. This is a very delicate lace that can enhance any old dress and make it new.
Insertion lace trim comes in extremely handy when it comes to renewing or reshaping your old clothes, especially for length.
For example, you can increase the length of your dress by adding more cloth to it using insertion lace trim in the middle.
8. Tassel Lace:
Any lace that has tassels hovering over its edges is called tassel lace. Tassel lace is not only used for dresses but also on drapes and curtains.
Also, it is also used for jewelry especially earning designs and necklaces to enhance their overall appeal.
9. Nylon Lace:
Nylon lace is synthetic, delicate, soft, and sheer lace however it doesn’t have elasticity in it. Nylon lace is delicate and extremely womanly for feminist women.
Nylon lace is used on skirt overlays, lingerie, wraps, shrugs, or other women’s apparel. However, nylon is rarely used on maxis and wedding gowns.
10. Point de Venise Lace:
Point de Venise, also called simple Venise lace shares its origin in Italy. This lace is a little weighty so that used on net dresses to keep the fabric at the place and from flying.
Point de Venise lace is used on belly gowns, wedding dresses, and widow’s weeds.
11. Entredeux Lace:
Entredeux lace is more like insertion lace and used to attach two fabrics with seamless stitches. It has a ladder-like design in the middle and fabric on both sides which is inserted between the fabrics.
This lace is attached to the fabric using zigzag stitches.
12. Motif Lace:
Lace is usually based on a longer strap however motif lace doesn’t have a strap but a special shape of a flower, leaf, or any artistic pattern.
Motif lace is used on the dress’s backs, sleeves, and other areas for the sake o designing the fabric. Usually, when the fabric is plain, it is bedecked by using motif lace types.
It is also known as applique.
13. Crocheted Lace:
Crochet lace, as the name denotes is obtained and created by using the crochet technique. Even in today’s modern time, this is the only lace still crafted by using hand-woven techniques.
The lace comes in handy to wrap around the head wears like scarves. Crochet lace looks so elegant on baby clothes as well.
14. Ribbon Lace:
Ribbon lace is based on a long ribbon line patterned with floral and other artistic embellishments on both edges.
Ribbon lace is ideal to use as the edging of curtains and drapes. It has a little weighty texture that helps the lightweight silk curtains to stay on the floor.
Besides, it is also used on the petti of frocks and petticoats.
15. Pompom Lace:
Pompom lace is also known as ball lace is one of the newly introduced types of lace.
The lace comes with a long strap with pompoms attached to it at a uniform distance. Pompoms can be large or small in size and a person can choose based on their choice.
One lace can have different colored balls on it or of the same color. once again, this thing also depends on the choice of the person.
Ball or pompom lace is mainly used on the edges of scarves, shirts, frocks, and gowns as a replacement for tassel lace.
16. Metallic Lace:
Metallic lace is chemical lace. It is mostly used by south Asian women on their wedding dresses. In south Asian countries like Pakistan, it is known as tilla lace.
Metallic lace is manufactured by machines using metallic threads of gold and silver. It is used to adorn heavy work clothes.
You will also find different belts bedecked with metallic lace.
17. Elastic Lace:
Elastic lace, as the name denotes, has elasticity in it. these types of lace are mainly used for undergarments and lingerie.
This lace not just enhances the overall beauty of the clothing but also infuses an ability to stretch the fabric to make it fit perfectly with the body shape.
18. Berry Lace / Guipure Lace:
Guipure lace is not based on loops or straps but on complete fabric. To make this lace, different convex lace elements are connected using bars or plaits.
The structure of the lace is very elegant, attractive, and luxurious. The Guipure lace fabric is mainly used for cocktail dresses, bridals, and blouses, etc.
19. Cancan Lace Fabric:
Cancan lace is also based on fabric that helps to keep the clothing stiff.
Cancan lace fabric is mainly used as the underlayer of frocks, skirts, cocktail dresses, and lehengas in order to bring stiffness to the shape of the dress.
Almost all Disney princess frocks are bedecked with cancan lace.
20. Tulle Lace:
As cancan stiff fabric is used as an underlayer, the tulle lace is also stiff netting lace that’s used on the net fabric dresses to create a volume as an outer layer.
Tulle lace is also one of the types of French lace.
The lace can be based on the small thin strap to a floral wide strap. It usually comes with net fabric that is turned into a dress.
21. Embroidered Patches:
Embroidered patches are not necessarily lace but they are used to enhance the edging of the clothes. It is based on a long thin or wider strap that is stitched with clothes.
Embroidered patch lace, apart from fashion, is used to enhance or increase the length of a dress.
22. Pearl Bead Lace:
A long strap bedecked with pearls and/or beads is called pearl bead lace. This lace is also used to enhance the weight of the fabric and keep it in its place.
However, this lace is so luxurious and any wedding dress will be incomplete without edging of pearl bead lace.
23. African lace fabric:
African lace is also not offered in straps but you get complete fabric that’s embellished with flowers, beads, and embroidery on cotton fabric.
It is also called Nigerian lace. This lace is mainly used for bridal dresses, party wears, and cocktail dresses not just in Africa or Nigeria but all over the world.
The fabric is also used for different types of pants.
24. French Needle lace:
Needle lace is manufactured by using needle cutwork. You can call it a handmade or hand-woven lace using needle cutwork.
Needle lace can be expensive and used mostly for tapestries and traditional dresses. It originates from France.
25. Knitted Lace:
Knit lace comes with a tule back. This lace is made on larger fabrics and those fabrics are used to make cocktail dresses, wedding gowns, and maxis.
26. Orient Lace:
Orient lace is embellished with embroideries. This cotton fabric is enhanced with threadwork. This lace design is mostly used to enhance summer clothing and summer accessories.
27. Grommet Lace:
Grommet lace is based on a long strap with holes evenly made at a uniform distance. This lace is mainly used as a top edging of curtains and drapes.
The rings on grommet lace help to hang the curtain with reeling.
This was about the lace you can use for fabric. But do you know about the types of lace used for wigs? Now we will discuss, lace types for wigs.
28. Lace Collars:
You also get different types of lace collars. The collar of the dress is entirely made of using lace. These designs were in trend during 80s and 70s.
Still, you find some maxis and wedding gowns with lace collars. These are made so in order to keep them less revealing from the neckline.
Also, these days, laced collars are used for kids’ dresses and little girl dresses to add up to the cuteness.
29. Types of Lace Wigs:
These days, wigs come with laces to appear more natural and real.
The main function of the lace is to provide the best finish to the wig on the head. These wig laces are attached to the heads using glue or gums.
What are the different types of lace wigs?
Lace wigs are handmade and have three different types:
- Full lace wig
- 360 lace wigs
- Front lace wig
The main difference between all three is price and size. A full lace wig is more expensive and covers the head, ear, and neck. Full lace wigs are more versatile than other types.
360 lace wigs are also expensive and offer a round-shaped area that covers the whole area of your head. This wig can be parted in desired directions such as high ponytails or buns.
The front lace wig has an ear-to-ear area made of lace while the rest is of the area by any other fabric. It is less expensive and mostly used.
Types of Lace FAQs:
Now to the frequently asked questions you sent to us.
1. What is the most expensive type of lace?
In the world, leavers lace is considered the most expensive and not available easily due to its price. There are very few manufacturers in northern France known for making leavers lace.
2. What are the three types of lace used for ladies blouses?
The lace used for ladies blouse is Chantilly lace, elastic lace, and nylon lace. These laces are used in ladies ’ blouses because of their elasticity, screeches, and stylish design.
3. How can you tell good quality lace?
Good quality lace has thick fabric and thick design threads. however, thickness will do nothing to the elegance of the lace, it will look delicate, luxurious, and stylish.
Also, there will be no excessive threads popping from the lace.
4. Does lace look cheap or modern?
The use of lace makes it cheap or modern. Too much designing and adding laces or buttons is not in trend however a delicate lace can make your dress richer than before.
When it comes to wedding dresses, make sure to choose laces that are of high quality. If you cannot do that, shop for a well-used wedding dress from a thrift store.
5. What are some best lace types?
Best lace types include French lace, Nigerian or African lace, swiss lace, and Korean lace.
6. How to care for lace clothes and wash lace fabric?
Avoid cleaning in machines.
lace is a delicate accessory of your clothing that’s non-detachable.
So, when it comes to washing your clothes with lace, make sure to hand wash them. do not scrub too much-using brushes but you can softly rub your hand on the surface delicately for cleaning.
Also, avoid making wrings while rinsing the lace fabric. Hang it as it is and let the water rinse out on its own.
Bottom Line:
This is all about our today’s topic, types of lace. You can write to us and send us your queries if we are missing anything.
References:
https://www.dressandtextilespecialists.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lace-Booklet.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lace