Cotton eyelet fabric and trimming has always been a warm weather option for summer brides as well as garden parties and the like. The fabric, for those not familiar with it, resembles lace because there are small holes within the embroidery detail on the textile itself. The edges around the holes are stitched with satin thread for a decorative effect. In many cases the use of the eyelet decoration on cotton or other fabric could be considered a little “country-western” or even childish looking, depending on how it is applied to the garments in question. I remember when the prairie skirt trend was in vogue and the full-tiered slips that accompanied them were always trimmed with eyelet of some sort or another. These ruffles were meant to peek out from under the skirts. But fear not fashion followers, eyelet looks are making a comeback, but not in the ways we have seen it in the past, thankfully. Today designers are using this see through fabric embroidery technique to embellish lots of up to date and stylish garments like shift dresses, chemises, cropped tops and blouses. I’m also going to show you how to use it to make a stunning statement collar from eyelet trim that you could wear with almost anything!

Spring and summer is definitely the season for the use of eyelet on all kinds of lightweight tops and dresses that allow airflow and movement. Not quite as precious as lace, but just as feminine when it is combined with the right silhouette.  A summer shift dress that fits loosely should be one of your first considerations with this trend.  Secondly, keep a lookout for tops and blouses that can add that special charm to jeans, skirts, shorts and other separates when the weather finally warms up!  Accessories get the eyelet treatment too with details on purses, hats, headbands, scarves as well as some footwear that I’ve seen around too. Traditionally eyelet is done in white, but can also be found in vibrant colors or even black. If you find something in white cotton eyelet, don’t forget that you could dye it yourself to make it any color you like! That’s the genius of shopping at Goodwill, where repurposing and reusing isn’t just a motto; it’s a way of life!!

Speaking of black eyelet, I thought I’d show you some black eyelet trim I bought at Goodwill for $1.99. It turned out that there was almost two yards of it! I immediately thought that this could be used to trim a black tank top, t-shirt or blouse. It could even be used on the hem of a skirt. I also had the idea to make a simple statement collar using a collar I cut off of a blouse, and then simply sewing it on row by row until I had a ruffled eyelet collar. Talk about easy to make! You could also use a fabric glue to apply to the collar of almost any blouse you might have! 

Now that you know your way around the eyelet trend, see what you can find at  Goodwill to add some variety to your wardrobe the very next time you’re out shopping. Incorporating bits and pieces of the latest fashion fads is easy when you have a few good ideas combined with the reasonable prices at our stores that make it accessible to all!