Style guide · Sleeves
Sleeve (Bazu) Designs With Lace
Also called lace wale bazu
Quick answer
Lace on a sleeve can edge the hem, sit a little above it as a band, run in several rows, or fill a panel or the whole sleeve. A single narrow band looks simple and everyday; wider or layered lace suits Eid. Tell us the sleeve length, where the lace should go and its width, and send a photo of the lace if you’re supplying it.
Ways to use lace on a sleeve
- Edge lace: lace sewn so it peeps out along the sleeve hem. Delicate, and it suits any length.
- Band lace: a strip of lace set a little above the hem, often in a contrast colour. The most common sleeve design with lace, and it works on straight, cuffed and slightly flared sleeves.
- Rows of lace: two or three narrow bands spaced up the lower sleeve, sometimes with a line of piping between them.
- Lace panel or full lace sleeve: part of the sleeve, or all of it, in lace or net, left sheer or lined. Dressier, and best for Eid and gatherings.
Which sleeves take lace best
Straight and cuffed sleeves in three-quarter or full length are the easiest, because the lace runs in a straight line around the arm. Elbow sleeves carry a lace band where it’s easily seen. The wide hem of a bell sleeve needs more lace, and a softer one that follows the curve without rippling. Repeating the same lace at the neckline ties the outfit together; see necklines with lace.
Choosing lace width and type
Narrow lace suits everyday lawn and small prints; wider lace suits plain fabric and occasion wear. Cotton and crochet laces wash well with lawn and cotton; net lace suits chiffon and silk. A lace that shrinks or bleeds differently from the kameez will pucker after washing, so it’s worth washing a small piece first; our pre-washing guide explains how.
Lace sits against the skin at the sleeve hem, so comfort matters. A stiff or scratchy lace is kinder set as a band above the hem, or backed with a soft facing. Weight matters too: a heavy lace can drag fine chiffon out of shape, while cotton or cambric carries the same lace comfortably.
Measurements that matter
Your sleeve length decides where the lace sits, and the wrist / cuff measurement, taken where the sleeve ends, tells us how much lace goes around each hem. For a full lace sleeve, send your upper arm and armhole as well, since many laces have little give.
How to ask for it
Choose your sleeve length on the stitching quote form, then describe the lace in the notes: edge, band, rows or panel; the width; and whether it comes with your suit, you’re supplying it, or you’d like us to suggest one. A screenshot of the look you want is the clearest brief.
Common questions
Can I use the lace that came with my unstitched suit on the sleeves?
Yes. Tell us which piece it is and how many metres there are, and send a photo, and we’ll plan the sleeves around it before anything is cut.
How much lace do I need for two sleeves?
Measure around the sleeve where the lace will sit, double it for two sleeves, multiply by the number of rows and add a little for joins. Tell us how many metres you have, and your written quote can confirm it covers both sleeves.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
