Ric Rac Finishes

Prepackaged ric rac comes in all sizes and colors. The smallest ric rac is not a good choice for this method, but medium and larger sizes of ric rac work well for this decorative edge technique. Mary Beth recommends basting the ric rac around the edge of the project before stitching to ensure precise results.

Mary Beth uses a medium ric rac in the example. Line up the peaks at the edge of the ric rac with the fabric raw edge and baste at a scant ⅛” seam allowance, making sure the basting line will be within the final seam allowance and won’t be visible when you stitch the seamline.

Use excess ric rac to sew Ric Rac Flower Embellishments.

Mary Beth demonstrates how to miter ric rac at the corner when applying ric rac to an edge, so that when the project is turned right side out, it will lay flat. After basting the ric rac along the edge, sandwich the ric rac with the backing piece of the project with right sides together, and stitch the edges using a ¼” seam allowance, or any seam allowance that is wider than the basting line.

When the project is turned right side out, press and then topstitch to help the ric rac edging lay flat. The project looks great from both sides, with the peaks of the ric rac as a decorative edge finish.

For more edge finishing tutorials, check out these videos:
How to Sew Piping
How to Hem a Curved Edge
Applying Bias Tape to Edges and Mitering Corners