Sewing on lace

Dear users, dear authors,
What’s the best way to sew on lace?

It always depends on the lace—whether it’s cotton, whether it’s stretchy, whether it has a firm edge, etc., or, as is often the case, whether it’s *lace* on both sides.
The best method is to use a triple zigzag stitch for larger pieces of lace, with thread that blends into the pattern. For cotton lace or lace with a firm edge, a regular straight stitch works well; for stretchy lace, I would sew it on using a triple zigzag stitch adjusted on the sewing machine to match the width of the lace.

Best regards, Inge

In what ways can lace be lace on both sides?

This set really illustrates what I meant by double-sided lace—the lace looks the same on both edges. The advantage is that if, like here, you don’t need the full width, you can easily split it down the middle. I sewed this set for myself, but as soon as it was finished, my daughter snatched it up :-)

Love, Inge

Wow, Inge, that looks really great. It seems like you can’t say no either. I know that feeling all too well.
Hugs, Marlies

Recently, I simply sewed stiff cotton lace to the hem right sides together with a straight stitch and turned it.

Last year, while making a nightgown, I tried this method for the first time with elastic lace that has a scalloped edge on both sides:
wrong side to right side, with the bottom edge of the lace aligned with the open bottom edge of the “main fabric,” so to speak. I roughly basted it by hand with a contrasting thread, stitching slightly diagonally across the width of the lace so it wouldn’t shift while sewing it in place. I sewed the lace close to the top edge, following the curves with a narrow, short zigzag stitch and matching thread color. The lower fabric can then be trimmed away close to the seam.

I was a little nervous, but it turned out pretty well and looks really nice :-)