I must question the use of scaffolding, as it implies it as an part of an infrastructure, when scaffolding is essentially a structure with scaffolds (akin to sophisticated ladder) to provide access by a worker, that never supports the structure itself, but rather access to be able to execute the task. (My background in general contracting). It could be confusing to someone's interpretation of what is going on within the formation of needlelace, if they have any understanding of the word itself.
Perhaps this is why the word foundation is used so frequently in needlelace, as structurally it is more akin to that in providing a basis from which to build upon, etc. One can quickly see how words, languages, brain function, begin to vary interpretations. I even looked up the word footing or footer, and current references to tall persons (for example), prevailed over some of the traditional meanings. Best, Susan Reishus "Defining the difference between bobbin lace and needle lace is probably the easiest part of the question. Bobbin lace is a weaving technique in which the warps are not permanently fixed to a beam but are weighted by bobbins (which also serve to store the thread and serve as a handle for manipulation. The warps are thus free to move in relation to each other and change positions (which is not possible to any great extent when the warps are fixed to a beam). Since the warps and weaver threads can all move in any direction and change places a very large variety of different weaves is possible, as are decorative holes of many kinds. Needlelace is constructed almost entirely of variations on the buttonhole stitch, worked with a needle and thread, with only a temporary backing which serves as a scaffolding while the lace is under construction, and which is removed when the lace is completed. This kind I have taken to calling "true needlelace" simply to have a term to apply to a needle lace with no extraneous, non-needle parts. I suppose the term "pure" needle lace would also serve, distinguishing it from "mixed needlelace". The only problem with definitions is with the needlelace part. There are quite a variety of embroidery techniques which use woven cloth or machine made net as a basis to which stitches are added with needle and thread. There are also combinations of crochet and needle lace stitches, woven narrow tapes and needle lace stitches. Personally I regard all these latter as laces, but I would distinguish them as embroidered laces or lace-like embroideries, or I would call some "mixed laces". Then there is also the case of filet lacis, which is embroidered square knotted netting, which was traditionally made on a hand made base (but is rarely done that way now). There is also the case of teneriffe, sol lace, nanduti, which is embroidery and needleweaving laid on to a base of thread spokes created as the first stage of the work. These are also lace and one could argue that, as originally made, are true needle laces since all the parts are hand made and any backing is only a temporary scaffolding. There are also many traditional bobbin laces which have needlemade parts. 19th century Duchesse with point de gaze needle insets comes to mind, as well as lace with needlemade rings or pops added to the surface. I have also seen several with bobbin lace motifs but needle lace grounds. Personally I also regard tatting, lacy crochet, and knitted lace as laces. So that's my personal, long winded, contribution to the question." Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
