Hi All, Alice wrote about the place in California, USA that sells the tapes. Here's the URL:
http://www.lacemaking.com/Ltapes.htm They have very good discounts for bulk orders. They carry all the tapes that Tom in Belgium's company makes. I don't think they have Branscombe Point tapes but they do have Princess lace tapes that are finer than the Battenberg/ Brussels tapes (they also have some they call Venice tapes). Actually I think it's Tom's cousin who runs the manufactory that makes the tapes. They've been making them for 150 years. The tapes for Luxeuil are the same ones I use for B'berg. The gathering thread on the tape was introduced around 1904. The Battenberg tapes are heavier than the Branscombe tapes but not too much. Some of you might be thinking of the Japanese or Chinese tapes which are coarser and solid with no open space down the middle. Around 1900 they used much heavier tapes for B'berg but they've gotten finer over the years. Now, in the US, Battenberg is the generic term for tape lace. Other than the tape there are no rules any more. The fillings can be as simple or ornate as the lace maker chooses. There were plenty of rules around 1900. I think it was 7 times around the needle for the picot on the Raleigh Bars at first! Lillie Trivett covers Branscombe very well! Luxeuil also has a more solid look to it than older B'berg. I haven't gotten help in translating the wonderful book on it yet so I'm not sure of the distinctions. The book "Le Luxeuil" ISBN 2-84167-151-8 has lots of wonderful patterns for any of you who are interested! Besides the regular tapes they also use machine made lace with a gathering thread on one side - very pretty! I just can't be short-winded on this subject <G>. Jane in Vermont, USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
