Several years ago when I was learning about Lassen, I understood it to be a long-used method of connecting lace. Back in the days when dresses were long and full, it took many yards of lace to trim one skirt or dress, especially if several rows were used. This lace was made by many people to produce the many yards in a reasonable time. The various pieces had to be joined to look like one continuous piece of lace.
The lace makers just produced the lace for sale. They didn't know how it would be used. The specialists joined the pieces so it became one long piece. Seamstresses attached it to the garments. If a handkerchief was needed, they just used the yardage and gathered the corners. The seam was hidden in the gathers, so they could do a quick seam rather than spend the time needed for Lassen joining. Fitted square corners came about when people started making lace specifically for a handkerchief or other cornered items. I used Lassen once. In a class I had to design a handkerchief edging, then make it. I wasn't happy with the look of part of my design, so modified it as I went until I was satisfied. That gave me 6 inches of lace I didn't want in my finished product so had to use the overlap method of finishing. The booklet Het Lassen shows how to overlap and sew many different styles of lace. It's hard to find a copy of it but if you ever see one, get it. When I had a chance to get it, I got two and gave one to my guild library. It has been used by several people in our group. Alice in Oregon - where it's cloudy and cool after two weeks of above normal temps - 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/
