Fabric Convention - History of Lace (2024)

FAQs

What is the brief history of lace? ›

Lace, a decorative openwork web, was first developed in Europe during the sixteenth century. Two distinct types of lace making—needle lace and bobbin lace—began simultaneously. Needle lace is made with a single needle and thread, while bobbin lace entails the plaiting of many threads.

The intricate beauty of lace mirrors the complexity of love and the intricate details that make every relationship unique. Symbolism of Purity: Lace's pure white hue is often associated with innocence and purity, signifying the bride's commitment to embarking on a new journey with a clean slate.

The first bobbin lace is not well documented, but it probably originated early in the 16th century. Whether these lace techniques were developed first in Italy or in Flanders is a question that has remained unresolved. Most authorities, however, agree that needle lace originated in Italy, bobbin lace in Flanders.

The demand for the fabric as a show of wealth became so high that the money spent on the exquisite fabric was exorbitant. To curb this spending, some countries introduced laws that aimed to limit it's wearing and importation. But these restrictions simply made it a more desirable product. Enter the smugglers!

Lace was first made by a machine at the end of the eighteenth century. But if you tried to cut wide net lace fabric before 1809, it would unravel in the process. That's the year a man named John Heathcoat stopped lace fabric (and people's nerves) from unraveling by producing a more stable version of the fabric.

Early history

Lace was used by clergy of the Catholic Church as part of vestments in religious ceremonies. When they first started to use lace and through the 16th century, they primarily used cutwork. Much of their lace was made of gold, silver, and silk.

Prized for its delicacy and complexity, lace has been associated with sensuality and beauty for centuries. Therefore, this fabric remains a common component of women's garments including lingerie. Lace is an equally popular textile for accents on upholstery and other forms of home decor.

It is this latter significance that is found in Exodus 28:28 ("They shall bind .... with a lace of blue"); 28:37; 39:21,31, and in Sirach 6:30 the King James Version, klosma (the Revised Version (British and American) "riband").

In its most defined form, fabric lace is a beautiful and delicate textile. It has a distinct web-like open construct, made from yarn or thread. The most common yarns used in white lace fabric are cotton, silk, and linen. They are looped, braided, and twisted to give lace its unique attributes.

Nottingham changed the way the world makes lace. The first ever machine to make lace was invented here in the 1760s and today, lace is made by machines all over the world, thanks to the innovation, creativity and skills of Nottingham people.

What is handmade lace called? ›

There are two basic types of hand-made lace: needle lace which is created by using a needle and thread and variations on buttonhole stitch and bobbin lace which is made by twisting and plaiting a large number of threads, each wound onto and weighted by a bobbin, on a stuffed pillow (the terms bobbin and pillow lace are ...

lacemaker in British English

(ˈleɪsˌmeɪkə ) noun. a person who makes a delicate decorative fabric with cotton, silk, etc, woven in an open web of different symmetrical patterns and figures. an accomplished lacemaker.

Lacemaking became the nuns' primary activity and remains so today. Hvar lace is one of the most popular souvenirs sold on the island. Visitors to the monastery can tour a small lace museum and see the sisters working on their meticulous craft.

Nicolaes Maes, The Lacemaker, 1656. Oil on canvas. Despite its status as a gendered hobby, lace was considered a gender-neutral adornment until the late eighteenth century and was a coveted textile throughout Europe. Starched, stacked, or single collars; cuffs; edging details; and entire gowns—lace knew no bounds.

Today we think of lace as lovely and decorative, and very feminine. In the past in Europe, lace was worn extensively by men as well as women. Large quantities were used by the church and royalty. It was very expensive so was a visible symbol of wealth.

Many legends surround the origins of lacemaking. On the Italian island of Burano, not far from Venice, it is believed that the fine spray created by the splashing of a mermaid's tail inspired the elaborate motifs enriching plain white cotton, linen and silk.

Lace developed from the embroidery technique of cutwork, whereby a design is cut out of a woven cloth and the edges are secured with thread to stabilize the voided design and to provide further decorative texture.

Lace was a status symbol

In 17th century France, lace was worn in abundance by the French aristocracy on hats, collars and sleeves. The social status of ladies and gentlemen in the royal court was determined by the complexity and quality of their lace garments.

Though clearly shoelaces had been in use for thousands of years, they were officially 'invented' when Englishman Harvey Kennedy took out a patent on them on the 27th March 1790.