The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, where I volunteer with the lace collection just published my blog on the Ipswich lace Industry. You can find it here, or search american history si blog ipswich lace http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/ipswich-lace
Hope you enjoy the blog, and please let me know if you can add anything to the Ipswich story or have questions. There is still much to learn, such as where the original teacher came from and when. It is very interesting that the lace was made on a round bolster pillow, approximately 30 inches (76 cm) circumference and the sewing edge was on the left. I am guessing, but have no concrete evidence, that the Ipswich lace makers got most of their patterns by copying snippets of imported lace. It is also interesting that only one of the samples they sent to Alexander Hamilton in 1790 has point ground (c-t-t-t or probably t-t-t-c as they used bolster pillows). The point ground is used as a filling only in this one sample, not as a ground. The grounds are kat stitch (Paris ground) or variations on torchon ground. You are welcome to share the blog with your local guilds. Karen in either Washington, DC or Bethany Beach, DE - 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/
