Learn to use stretch lace on underwear using a free pattern

Hey y’all, today I’m going to be showing you how to sew elastic lace trim – a different take on the underwear pattern I shared a couple years ago. This has become my favorite way to finish the legs and waist, because this gives me a more seamless look when I wear them under leggings.

But since I didn’t share a stretch lace finish in the original pattern, today I’m going to show you how I stitch these, and what my secret weapon is to stitch the lace into loops without it getting sucked into the throat plate of my machine.
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The secret is that roll on the top right in the image above – water soluble stabilizer (affiliate link). This is typically used for embroidery, to make free standing lace (FSL). But it’s also super useful for times like this, when you want to stabilize something delicate but you want it to wash away without a trace.
Check out this technique and how I sew the lace elastic on in the video below, which you can also watch on YouTube here.
As mentioned in the video, the original free pattern and construction methods can be found in this post, and that tutorial shows how to finish with fold over elastic, picot elastic or regular elastic encased in the fabric.

So that’s how to sew elastic lace trim. Now excuse me while I make all the pretty undies for myself!
Pal K
What a terrific idea!
I use stretch lace occasionally and find it easy but fiddly
This tip may just revolutionalize my life
Thank you
Sharron
Look forward to utilising this tip … I too love undies with elasticised lace to wear under my exercise leggings 😄
Peg
Once again, awesome video of sewing the lace elastic to the undies. Now making cute little undies for the baby gr-grand daughter will be so amazingly easy with tip about stabilizer. Never thought of that! But you did.
Melly you astonish me with ow much you get done and then to video it for us, so our sewing lives will be less compllcated.
Thanks so much
Jodi
so clever. the stabilizer idea is brilliant and the enclosed raw seam is perfect.
thanks for such a clear explanation!