Embroidery Lace

Embroidery lace is created when special embroidery machines apply stitches to a fabric ground – usually fine batiste or tulle. Unlike sewing, the size and direction of the stitches can be varied freely, which makes almost any pattern possible.

How it is made

In industrial production, large embroidery machines work whole fabric widths with many stitching heads at the same time. The fabric ground can remain a visible part of the design – as in tulle embroidery – or be removed chemically after stitching: only the embroidered motif remains, producing guipure (etched) lace. Eyelet embroidery and cord embroidery are further variants of embroidery lace.

Where you will find it

Embroidered lace looks delicate and high-quality, so it is used where it shows: as inserts and cups of bras, on the necklines of vests and nightwear, or as decorated edges on briefs.

You will find more terms explained in our Underwear Glossary.