I was one of those people in 1998 at the Arachne 98 Conference who saw the
lacemaking machines. They had at least one of the original style of
machines, and demonstrated how it was worked by hand and foot.
A few years ago I was a featured artist at fiber show, and had to give a half
hour talk on the history of lace. Below are two paragraphs related to that
first machine.
Quote:
During the 1700s, the industrial revolution was getting started. Machines were
being invented to do things previously done by hand. A Stockinette machine,
that made knitted stockings with a design up the side of the sock, was
developed about 1590 but it took a lot of hand manipulation to get the design.
The inventor wanted to improve and market his machine but he needed permission
from the king. This king was afraid this machine would take away his sources
of lace income so refused permission. Nothing could be done with the new
machine until this king died and a new king was in charge.
In the early 1700s, the machine was improved so it was more automated. Then
instead of just putting a design in the sock by creating holes, the whole
fabric was holesâ¦a net fabric, like wedding veils are made from. Thus
started the demise of the hand lace industry. By 1800, they had a machine that
could produce large net fabrics. The net background of some laces no longer
had to be made by hand. They could start with the machine net and just
applique the handmade lace flowers or designs on it. This reduced the time
needed to make an item, and the number of people making it.
End quote.
The entire talk is on the webpage of the Portland Lace Society
(portlandlacesociety.com) under the heading Lace History.
Alice in Oregon -- where we are at the start of a 2-day snow and ice storm.
Good time for lacing.
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, 6:56:58 PM PST, N.A. Neff
wrote:
Hi Rochelle,
Yes, a number of Arachne members saw the Nottingham stockinette machines
from the 17th or 18th C (I'm not sure if the ones we saw went back to the
1600's -- I find that hard to believe in hindsight), including ones still
working. I have a really lovely shawl knit on one of those machines; quite
a few other Arachnids bought knitted items.
I also have an article on lacemaking machines in Europe, Germany I think,
but I'm not sure how old the machines were that were being discussed. I
will try to find it.
Nancy
Connecticut, USA
On Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 9:28 PM Rochelle Sutherland
wrote:
> Hi everyone, I have an unusual request. I am helping a higher degree
> student with lacemaking for her textile art degree and she is interested in
> knowing more about the early lacemaking machines. Does anyone know
> anything? Has anyone seen them in action in museums? I have an idea I have
> seen discussions on arachne about it before, so I am hoping someone can
> help her. Thanks,
> ---
> Rochelle SutherlandCottons and Bobbins Lacemaking Supplies by Rochelle
> SutherlandEmail orders: cottonsandbobb...@lacemakingsupplies.com
> .auWebsite:http://lacemakingsupplies.com.auPhone: 02 6374 2696
>
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