The photos are posted at http://laceioli.ning.com/group/identification-history
I have been looking at some mezzo punto. Mezzo punto is made using a premade tape, laying it in a shape, then filling and embellishing it with needle lace stitches. Based on previous Arachne conversations I had been going on the theory that the premade tapes were made using a small loom and represented a time saving effort. That made sense when the tape looked like that in the first photo. But, during todayâs examination I realized that the tape which looked like a warp faced weave was actually a diagonal weave (second photo). Continuing my examination, I found another piece where the tape looked like it might even be different than the other two. (third photo) This one seemed to have diagonal and horizontal lines causing me to wonder about Lauraâs enticing reference to compressed half stitch. I think the diagonal weave (2) may be in many other pieces. But how was this made? Is the only way to make it with bobbins? This seems very time consuming, but people did consume a lot of time back in the 17th century doing things like that. Thinking about Kimâs observations about braiding, I looked at a book on braiding and realized it might be possible to make a diagonal looking flat tape with a kumihimo device or a square device, possibly tablet (or card) weaving. Would this be faster than with bobbins? I also found some discussion about making braid on something called a âtrollen wheelâ, but this seems to be a discredited concept. Thoughts? Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
