Dear Devon, Where to start on this one!? Not everyone uses the term Mezzo Punto, for example. You might like to reference my 2-volume 1913 set of "Old Italian Lace" by Eliza Ricci. Volume II is about Bobbin Laces, and though she does not ever use the term "Mezzo Punto", you might see more examples of tapes from different collections. Milanese starts on page 155. On page 156 is mentioned a tape made with 2 bobbins. We know you can make lace with 2 pairs of bobbins (In Gil Dye's new book "Surface Decoration in Silk and Metallic Laces" and in Tamara Duvall's "Two-Pair Variations), but 2 bobbins? A fascinating subject to research. In the following chapter about Abruzzi (Southern Italy), you might like to view the illustration on page 228. In the text I found a reference to making lace with thousands of bobbins (p. 223-4), another reference of children scarce 2 years old instinctively twisting 3 or 4 threads (p. 226), and on the same page the words that a lace maker of Pescocostanzo is able to draw with her bobbins and pins. (No pattern or striped fabric on her pillow.) This relates to an Arachne subject of the past few days. These 2 books were scanned by Tess into the Professor's site: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/lace.html When you read the address you are reminded that he started with a site for weavers. There are many more weavers in the world. Being able to share the University of Arizona site with weavers is a gift of great value, because out-of-print books are extremely costly. Devon, do you know any weaving scholars doing identification at major museum collections? I should think they might add an interesting twist to your research. At the least, you might look to see what books are in the weaving section of the Professor's site. Everyone: If you would like to learn about lace makers who came before us, I recommend the Eliza Ricci books. They are written in a charming style, like books that belonged to our grandmothers. Not over- burdened with footnotes and extraneous credits to others. A chapter a day may be quite manageable and interesting. Makes you proud to be carrying on the tradition of lace making. It is rare to find Italian lace history in English, which is why Tess spent so much time scanning these books for you. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center -------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 11/23/2013 7:58:44 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: In the 17th century there were laces made from premade tapes. When the tapes go around a curve they are gathered, or turned over..they were not made with bobbins on a pillow with the patten on it, in which case the maker would have shaped the tape Does anyone know how or where these tapes were produced? Were they produced on a little loom, like a ribbon loom?
- To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
