Mini Tutorial: ​How to trim-finish a lace garment hemline

Trim-finishing a lace garment's hemline does not work for all lace fabrics. You can only use this technique if the lace has. continuous pattern with the elements densely positioned in relation to each other. It is also important to be able to visually identify a line on the lace print that when cut, will result in a n intentional, clean finish. Trim-finishing works as a permanent hemming technique only because lace does not unravel when cut- the cut edges can safely withstand machine washing and long-term wear without the risk of fraying. 

1. To trim finish a lace garment's hem, start by visually identifying a pattern that would work as your hemline. In this example, the lace fabric has a repetitive flower motif thus the trimmed hem edge would correspond to the outline of the larger flowers. You can use tailor's chalk to mark the general line, or simply keep this general line in mind as you trim around it in the steps to follow. 

1. Start trimming around your chosen lace pattern, being careful not to cut directly through the elements that constitute the finished trimmed edge. In this example, the lace is trimmed following the flower outline being careful not to cut directly through any of the flower edges. 

When arriving a crossing seam, continue trimming around a lace line that you consider will blend best with the rest of the trimmed hemline.  Continue trimming until the entire hemline is complete. 

2. Once you trim directly through a seam, the seam sticth will start to unravel  and. thus needs to be reinforced to ensure maximum seam durability. 

3. To reinforce the trimmed seams, stitch the seam at about 2-3 inches up from the bottom, backstitching at the hemline to lock the threads. 

The trim-finished hem should look clean and intentional serving a semi-decorative purpose. All seams crossing into the hemline should be reinforced for strength and durability and blend into the decoratively finished hemline.