I generally do not use a fabric stiffener, but there are ways to stabilize the lace, and of course every lace and every project is different, so I take things individually. This piece of teale lace was cut from a t-shirt. It was sewn onto a jersey background, so I left it on that, which makes it thicker and stable. It also made for a different look front and back, which for reversible jewellery is nice!

I also try my lace necklaces on after making them, to make sure they lie flat. I made another body necklace that had a fairly wide lace pendant, and I did find that it buckled a bit. So I cut it down a tad, and then it was able to lay nicely. The bits I cut off had pretty embellishment on them, so I made them into earrings! 🙂

I do use glitter fabric paint and other craft paint on my lace as a way to embellish the lace or bring out colours, and that does have the added benefit of creating a bit of structure. I especially like to do this along the edges. The fact that I embellish my lace by gluing things on it also adds a bit of strength.

Sometimes my lace necklaces, if they are made with a long piece of lace (as opposed to a pendant on a chain) need to be made as chokers that sit right on the neck, because they don’t lie right when they’re a standard necklace length. Learned that the first necklace I made – quite a wide lace, and looked beautiful as I made it, but when I tried it on it ruffled, and I looked like a clown! 😀 There’s a learning curve just like with any material.

With earrings, if they were too wide and just attached with a jump ring, they would fold in. If I want big ones, I glue or wire-wrap the lace to something solid behind. I find myself keeping my eye out for possibilities of things to attach my lace to these days – was thinking of my son’s POGs the other day (he’s 28 but the POGs are still here in perfect condition!).

Stiffened lace would be nice too, I just haven’t used a stiffener. And personally I like the feeling of the soft lace on.

Hope these tidbits of info help!