Guipure lace for abayas and hijabs: sizes, colours and sourcing

Why guipure for modest wear

Abayas and hijabs are worn daily and washed often. Guipure lace has no fragile net ground, so hems and sleeve borders keep their shape through wear and washing. The raised embroidered motif also reads well on plain black, which is why it is the standard trim for abaya ateliers in the Gulf and modest fashion brands in the UK, Europe and North America.

Which size goes where

Abaya hems and sleeves: scarf lace, 3 to 5 inches wide with a deep scalloped edge, or a wide medium design for a lighter look. Abaya front panels and plackets: center patti, plain on both edges. Hijab and sheila edges: zero size, which adds a border without weight or stiffness. Chiffon and georgette scarves: zero size or a light medium design.

Colour on black and dark fabrics

Deep black must match the fabric, not just look black on its own. Ask the supplier for a swatch of their black lace against your nida or crepe. Tone-on-tone trims (black on black, navy on navy) are the volume sellers; contrast colours such as gold, off-white and dusty pink move seasonally. Our black runs in every batch, and lab dips are available for custom shades on bulk orders.

Specifying an order

• Design reference or photo
• Width in millimetres and which edge is finished
• Colour: our range name or a swatch for matching
• Quantity per colour in pieces (rolls) or metres
• Destination city and preferred shipping (courier, air, sea)
• Any packing or labelling your warehouse needs

Sourcing from Pakistan

Faisalabad factories offer lower minimums than large Chinese mills and direct contact with the maker. Start with samples, confirm a strike-off for custom designs, and keep a running programme so repeat orders ship from reserved machine time.