[lace] Point ground

Thank you for your input, Lorelei. I agree completely, including with your assessment of Palliser. Of the 21 preserved black silk Ipswich laces from 1789-90 from Ipswich, Massachusetts in Library of Congress, almost half uses kat stitch ground and the rest some variation of Brussels/Torchon

[lace] Muslin applique

Hello, One of the many mystery pieces I come across in the Smithsonian lace collection is some sort of muslin applique. I am hoping one or more of you have suggestions about this type. Loosely woven cotton fabric is applied to the back of the Raschel machine made net with a chain stitch. I think

[lace] Early lace knitting machine

Knitting together http://www.knittingtogether.org.uk/cat.asp?cat=599 The East Midlands, UK, knitting industry is the subject of the fantastic virtual and physical museum called Knitting Together. The knitting industry has been in the East Midlands since the 16th century, and visitors interested

Re: [lace] Thorns for pins

Last week I saw a small bolster pillow from Brazil with strong thorns used as pins. I was in a workshop in Italy and one of the participants brought this little gem in to show us. Nobody in the class could identify the thorns. They were about 4 cm long, strong, smooth and very pointy, making them

Re: [lace] Doris Southard

I am also one of Doris Southard’s many grateful students. My mother gave me my first lesson in bobbin lace in 1974. My parents were visiting us in Indiana from Denmark. She sent a Danish beginner’s book which I struggled through. After Doris’ book came out I started working through that, and

[lace] Blog about Hapsburg veil

This is the blog I posted on the American History Museum website about the Point de Gaze Hapsburg veil from 1881 made for Princess Stephanie of Belgium for her wedding. http://blog.americanhistory.si.edu/osaycanyousee/2011/06/the-finer-details-of-the-hapsburg-imperial-bridal-veil.html The blog is

[lace] Lace Identification Booklet Hapsburg veil

Susan, and all The wedding photo of Marjorie Merriweather Post's daughter Adelaide Brevoort Close (1908-1998) was taken at the Hillwood estate in Washington, DC. although her wedding to Thomas Tim Welles Durant on January 19, 1927 took place in New York City. Adelaide wore a short dress with a

Re: [lace] Blog about Hapsburg veil

The longer version of my research notes on the Hapsburg veil will be available on-line shortly. Karen in Washington, DC, USA - 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:

Re: [lace] Blog about Hapsburg veil

Please be patient until Laurie is safe again after her evacuation from the fires. Hoping for the best for her. She has offered to post the longer version on LaceNews. The longer version of my research notes on the Hapsburg veil will be available on-line shortly. Karen in Washington, DC, USA -

[lace] Lace: Re Bayeux Tapestry

As Jean points out the Bayeux tapestry is a very large piece of embroidery. However the Smithsonian Museum has a needle lace verson of the Bayeux tapestry. Fairly coarse Venietian style needle lace depicting most of the scenes from the original tapestry on a 30 foot long banquet cloth. Any

Re: [lace] Demonstration idea and spread the word

Three other lace makers and I demonstrate lacemaking -bobbin lace and tatting - in the public area of the American History Museum in Washington, DC one hour per month. There is always lots of interest in both watching and trying our hands-on-pillow. Often well over 100 people stop by to watch and

[lace] Irma Osterman and Doris Southard

How sad to hear of the passing of both Doris Southard and Irma Osterman. These two exceptional lacemakers will be sorely missed. We have all learned much from them, directly or indirectly through their students. I had the fortune of knowing and learning directly from both of them. Doris Southard

[lace] Translation

Hello, I am working on some War Laces from Belgium from WWI, and am struggling to come up with the best English translation of: Vlaandern in den Kryg, Hulde van Ardoye, 1915 Hulde seems to have several possibilities for Translation. Another is Aan de Vereenigde Staten - Hulde en Dank, 1915 And

[lace] re: translation

Thank you so much to everyone who chimed in on my translation question for the inscriptions on some War Laces and on the spin-offs from that conversation. Charlotte Kellogg's Bobbins of Belgium from 1920 is a fascinating book about the War Laces, the lacemakers and the organizers. Fortunately it

[lace] Bayeux Tapestry in needlelace

I am still looking for answers to the who, when, where and why about the Bayeux Tapestry in needle lace. Now my blog is posted on the Smithsonian website: http://blog.americanhistory.si.edu/ -Karen on the sunny warm coast of the Atlantic in Delaware this week end - To unsubscribe send email to

[lace] Ipswich lace

Shell and others, Since I subscribe to the digest, I just saw the posts about Ipswich. I think your question has been answered well by other members. Marta Cotterells book Ipswich Laces is the most comprehensive. The black silk Ipswich laces from 1789-90 are some of the best documented early

[lace] lace - Yaspe silk

Ruth, I am working on schal Sabrina with 3 colors of Yaspe shantung tussah silk, and am loving the relaxed work while demonstrating or watching (listening to) TV. Yes, the silk is very uneven and full of slubs, which I think is part of it's beauty. It quite often gets stuck on the bobbins and have

[lace] Lace: IOLI Convention

I am curious what other lace makers think about the IOLI Convention format since the enrollment seems to be down this year. What could the reason be? Is it too long to have a full week? and therefore too expensive both in terms of days off and hotel and meal expenses? Or why do you think? Karen

[lace] IOLI Convention

Should the tour day be kept in the middle of the week where it requires extra nights and meals whether you want to participate in a tour or not? Should the IOLI think about having the Convention every other year? If so, alternating years to OIDFA? I feel bad for all the organizers, who put in an

[lace] Teaching lace to children

In the past I taught dozens of children from about age 5 years through teens to make bobbin lace. The most fun was with a group of 10 six grade boys. The teacher said Good Luck and closed the door! These 12-year old boys made their own lace tell and had great rhythm and were extremely proud of

re [lace] footside - Ipswich

The Ipswich laces from the late 1700's in the US have the footside on the left , like Downton or Continental laces. The pillow was a large bolster pillow. At this point it is unknown who the first lace teacher was in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Many of the immigrants came from various places in

re [lace] Ipswich

Lyn wrote: Is Ipswich more like Bucks, or a Continental point ground? Might that make a difference? lrb The American Ipswich laces from around 1790 are not point ground laces. The main grounds are point de Paris (or Kat-stitch), or some variation on the Torchon ground. Point ground was used as

[lace] re: Lace teaching

I have followed the teacher evaluation and qualification thread with great interest, both as a student and as a teacher. Janice, I think it is a good idea to provide the evaluation form beforehand to IOLI teachers - especially the new ones - and also give guidelines to teachers as to how to deal

[lace] re: lace: Visit to Malta

We will be in Malta for a couple days Sept 1 and 2. I think I have Sept 2 to do my own thing. Any lace suggestions from our Maltese friends? You are welcome to answer me personally. Karen in Washington, DC, where spring has finally arrived - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com

[lace] lace: War Laces made in Belgium, WWI

The first group of 37 War Laces in the Smithsonian American History Museum collection is now available for study on the web. Please give me feedback, as this is a work in progress, and we have much to learn from you about these important laces.

Re: [lace] War laces

Since I subscribe to the digest, My reactions are not always immediate. In Sacramento last year at IOLI I gave a power-point lecture on the War Laces at the Smithsonian. The lecture was after the Tuesday lunch and does not show up in the program for the Convention. I don't know why they did not

Re: [lace] lace: War Laces made in Belgium, WWI

It has been gratifying receiving your responses to the War Laces website, both privately and on Arachne. http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/world-war-one-laces It makes us want to continue our volunteer work with the lace collection. Regretfully it took a couple days for all

Re: [lace] lace: War Laces made in Belgium, WWI

If you read to the end of the introduction you will find that you can click on a link to bypass further introductions, and concentrate on the lace http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/world-war-one-laces - and Commission for Relief in Belgium has been added to the introductory

[lace] lace: War Laces

), some only bought half an el. When the budget allowed it, they could use two pattern repeats of the lace to decorate the bonnets. The way the motif is finished, it was easily inserted into the linen of the bonnet. *Karen Thompson is a Volunteer in the Division of Home and Community Life's Textile

[lace] Lace in Greece

In early November I will be in Greece for a couple weeks with my husband. Can anyone recommend any museums and/or shops with lace, or anything lace related in Athens? We'll also visit Crete among other places. Thank you. Karen ​in Washington, DC​ - To unsubscribe send email to

Subject: [lace] "Tribute to Ardoye" war lace

Hi Vickie and other Arachneans, Great question about the Tribute to Ardoye War Lace: * I have a construction question about the second piece on the first page ofthe war laces section. It's a table runner titled "Tribute to Ardoye". The embroidered emblems surrounded by lace ground on

[lace] ​ [lace] "Tribute to Ardoye" war lace

​Hi Vickie, In response to your question: ​ ​- ​ I have a construction question about the second piece on the first page of ​ ​ the war laces section. It's a table runner titled "Tribute to Ardoye". ​-​ The embroidered emblems surrounded by lace ground on the border of this

Subject: [lace] Philadelphia's Lace Collection

What a wonderful discovery at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 1. Here's a link to lace in the Philadelphia Museum of Art: http://bit.ly/229QEnT ​Let's hope some of the lace enthusiasts near Philadelphia can help the museum with their labels, and also choose good pieces for a temporary

[lace] lace: Sara Hadley

Does anyone know when Sara Hadley published her bobbin lace patterns? I have spent a good many hours trying to find information with no luck. At the Smithsonian American History Museum we have some of her patterns. I am guessing from the early 1900's as they are very similar to the ones

Re: [lace] lace: Sara Hadley

Dear Jane, Janice and other Arachne friends, Thank you for your input on Sara Hadley. The more I look at the patterns and look at her other work, the more I think Sara Hadley just sold these bobbin lace patterns. One bundle of 3 patterns has her name on the sleeve. If someone can help me post a

[lace] OIDFA Congress

Jeri and other lace friends, I will attend both the OIDFA Congress and tour, and also IOLI this year - with husband in tow for both. At least two more from our local lace guild will also be in Slovenia. Looking forward to being with other lace enthusiasts. Karen ​in Washington, DC​ - To

[lace] Bacton Altar Cloth

Thank you, Louise for posting about the Bacton Altar Cloth: Very interesting! The piece has been much mended and well taken care of, presumably because it is such a special piece. In Janet Arnold's book from 1988, Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd, there are a couple illustrations in the Stowe

Re: [lace] Lace: Point ground laces

Devon, Thank you for correcting this. I am away from my books at the moment. It makes much more sense that he studied the point ground laces in the early 1800s, when there is no question they were made. Another sample of disinformation in some of the old articles. Karen - in sunny and cool

Re: [lace] Lace: Point ground laces

Thank you for the comments on the point ground. Hopefully there will be more. As Devon and Lorelei say, it makes sense that due to fashion changes in the late 1700s to much simpler and lighter laces and clothes in general, the point ground provided a lighter background for the motifs. At the same

Re: [lace] Lace: Point ground laces

Lorelei, I agree completely. I have never read anywhere that the lace made in Buckingham in 1750 was point ground. What made me pause on this article was that Mr. Heathcoat supposedly learned to make lace from the Buckingham lace makers around 1753 and imitated the point ground on his Loughborough

Re: [lace] Lace: Point ground laces

The angles of the samples are anywhere from about 33 to 68, sometimes in the same piece! Some of this might be due to distortion of the samples between being made in 1789 and being mounted on acid-free board in the 1970s or 1980s at the Library of Congress. Or the prickings might have been

[lace] Lace: Point ground laces

It is with great interest that I have followed the conversations about Mechlin, Valenciennes, Binche, etc. and am wondering if the conversation can continue with point ground. So far, I have not been able to find a date (approximate) for the start of point ground laces. The closest I have come is

[lace] re: Ipswich Lace sampler book

Thank you so much for your support of my Ipswich Lace sampler book. It is very gratifying to hear that my efforts are appreciated. A special thank you to Jeri for your positive review and good advice on The Lace Samples from Ipswich, MA, 1789-1790. Please let me know of any mistakes you find that

[lace] Book on the Ipswich Samples from 1789-1790

The samples of black silk lace edgings made in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1789-1790 are finally available to all lace makers and historians. "THE LACE SAMPLES FROM IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, 1789-1790. Patterns and Working Diagrams for 22 Lace Samples Preserved at the Library of Congress" ISBN

[lace] Bucks point

You can see the pricking on an original Ipswich pillow from the late 1700s on the Smithsonian lace collection website: http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_644978 Click on expand, and then there are 9 images. Note that the foot side is on the left. To see the rest of the

Re: [lace] Bucks point - on Ipswich-style Pillow at Smithsonian

There is not necessarily a relationship between American Ipswich Lace and England's Bucks Point, except that Mrs. Lakeman, who had made Ipswich lace in the late 18th C, used her equipment from that period to make the newer Point ground lace later in her life. -Karen - To unsubscribe send email

[lace] Ipswich Lace pillow

Dear Ann, I think two Ipswich, Massachusetts lace pillow entries are mixed here. Jeri wrote about her very interesting pillow under Ipswich style pillow. Under the Bucks Point discussion I gave a link to the one with the tag, which is in the Smithsonian Museum collection in Washington, DC, USA.

[lace] Smithsonian Ipswich lace pillow

Dear Janice, Lorri and others, Thank you for all the interest. Hopefully this thread will help shed more light on a very important part of American handmade lace history. Janice writes: "One thing I did notice though was that the Smithsonian lace had a left footside whereas most English lace to

[lace] Re: [lace] Buck’s pricking

I have tried working without the pins in the ground, and find it hard to keep the right tension, but I am sure with practice it would be fine. It certainly would be much faster and cheaper. Karen On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 2:55 PM, Devon Thein wrote: > > Karen, have you tried

[lace] Ipswich lace

Maureen, Nancy and others, Ipswich Massachusetts lace is NOT a point ground lace. From a distance it might look like it, but as it now has been pointed out, the grounds are Torchon variations and Kat stitch. The only time point ground was used in the 22 samples we have from 1790 is as a

[lace] date for Bucks point

Thank you Alex and Devon for chiming in on the question of beginning of the point ground laces. Devon, it would be interesting to see your pictures. It seems reasonable that the lighter, airier fashion in the late 1700s with tiny sprigs lent itself to the double thread ground c-t-t-t as opposed to

Re: [lace] Bucks Point-Hallowell, Maine

I am not sure Jeri's pillow belonged to Mrs. Lakeman. There could have been other lace makers in Hallowell. Moreover, Jeri's pillow from Hallowell is much larger than any pillow I have seen from the era of the Ipswich lace industry. The prickings I have seen from the late 1700s at the Ipswich

[lace] Smithsonian Ipswich lace pillow

Hi Susan, The white lace on the Smithsonian Ipswich pillow is a simple point ground lace made about 70 years after the Ipswich lace industry. Moreover, as Adele pointed out, the Ipswich lace makers made white linen laces in the late 1700s. We don't have samples, so we don't know what kind it was.

[lace] Re: Ipswich lace

Yes, there is a point ground lace on the Ipswich (Massachusetts) pillow at the Smithsonian. It was being worked on by a 90+ year old lace maker in the 1860s. She had worked Ipswich lace during the late 1700s on the same lace pillow while living in Ipswich, MA. Not surprisingly she was still using

[lace] Bucks Point

To get back to point ground: When was point ground c-t-t-t or t-t-t-c first used in England, France, or other places? There seems to be mention of it in the last quarter of the 18th century, but so far I have not been able to pinpoint an even approximate date from a reliable source. (I am not

[lace] Re: Lace: Ipswich, Massachusetts

that you made the one that is shown on the reproduction pillow in the article? Liz R, Raleigh NC Date: Sat, 12 May 2018 06:39:10 -0400 From: Karen Thompson <karenhthomp...@gmail.com> Subject: [lace] lace. Ipswich, Massachusetts, lace The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, where I vol

[lace] lace. Ipswich, Massachusetts, lace

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

[lace] Re: Lace: Making lace before diagrams

Elena, and other friends, I have heard that color-coded working diagrams were developed in Belgium in the 1930s. Before that a numbering system was used by some authors, with lengthy explanations for each number corresponding to the hole in the pricking. Frieda Lipperheide, 1898, Das

[lace] Lace: Making lace before diagrams

Karen: I have heard that color-coded working diagrams were developed in Belgium in the 1930s > Marianne Stang: may I make a little correction? The color code was invented in Bruges in 1911/12. > The lace school had more than 70 students, so it became necessary to solve this problem. That's why

[lace] Re: the archetype of the lacemaker- books

Janine Montupet The Lacemaker from 1988 is a fictional story of a needle lace maker in the 17th century. I remember enjoying reading this book years ago, thinking that since the author also has written book(s) on lace identification, I remember thinking that it probably was fairly accurate. At

[lace] Working with black thread [was "Thread"]

Interesting discussion about working with black thread. I have worked many, many hours with black silk thread while reconstructing the Ipswich, Massachusetts laces from 1789-1790. I do not find it hard to work with when using light grey pricking stock. The preserved Ipswich lace samples from the

[lace] lace: IOLI Bulletin

I, for one, was thrilled to see the IOLI Bulletin being offered in digital version. Like most others I much prefer having a printed version, BUT, we are in the process of downsizing to much smaller space, so I simply do not have enough storage space for all the wonderful Bulletins. I hope at

[lace] Re: lace books from Lowell Textile Museum

Jeri wrote: And then, the American Textile History Museum (mostly about weaving) in Lowell Massachusetts closed a couple years ago... I cannot find where the conservation/restoration staff relocated, or where the huge library (including lace books) was sent... >From a very reliable source I

[lace] lace, Bayeux tapestry

In response to the inquiry about the Bayeux Tapestry, I was reminded that I might not have added that we now know who made the needle lace version of the Bayeux Tapestry at the Smithsonian, and also approximately when. See http://blog.americanhistory.si.edu/ or search Bayeux tapestry Smithsonian.

[lace] lace, Bayeux Tapestry

Thanks to Lyn Bailey for pointing out that I seem to have given you the general blog site. If you search Bayeux Tapestry in the search box you will come to this: http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2012/09/the-bayeux-tapestry-at-the-smithsonian-yes-but-who-made-it-when-where-and-why.html -Karen

[lace] New Zealand Lace happenings?

Dear Arachne friends, Is there anything lace related happening in New Zealand, especially around the Wellington area, in early December? My husband and I will be in Wellington for a meeting on Dec. 6 and plan to travel around New Zealand for several days before and after. We just learned about

[lace] re: Ebb 'n' Flow

It is with great interest I have read about Jane Atkins' Ebb 'n' Flow exhibit. I will be in London on the last weekend of the exhibition and hope to somehow get there. Is it possible with public transport? -Karen on the Atlantic beach in Delaware where fall arrived last night. Karen Thompson

[lace] lace identification websites and books

We are really fortunate to have Jean Leader providing her new website www.lacetypes.com I just tested it on my hp desktop, and it is terrific. I also often use Jean's Lace app on my i-phone. It is also very, very useful. The symbol is a lace cap if you are looking for it. The cost is very minimal

[lace] Lace: Arizona site for old books

Dear Arachneans, Does anyone know what the current procedures are for submitting scans of out-of-copyright books to the Arizona site? https://www2.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/topic_lace.html Thank you. -Karen on the coast in Delaware, where we are having rain and strong winds today. Always

[lace] Lace, Virtual lace classes

Hello all, I realize I need to clarify my response to the virtual lace classes. As a student, I have a large monitor, such as a desktop, laptop, or iPad in front of me to watch the demonstrations, and for the teacher to see me. Then I have a second camera, such as a phone, mounted over my lace

[lace] lace, Virtual lace classes

Some of my random thoughts on virtual lace classes: Having both taught and taken several virtual lace classes, I think they are here to stay. There are both positives and negatives as with most things in life. I like that people can join from anywhere in the world without the expense and time of

Re: [lace] Lace, Virtual lace classes

Antje and other potential virtual teachers, I like to keep the virtual classes very small, 4-6 depending on their level of lacemaking skills. You can have the students send photos or have them scare their screen. Then you can annotate but that all takes extra time. I teach on Zoom and use

[lace] Tønder Lace Festival

Just received my digest. I am wondering if anyone here will be attending the Tønder Lace Festival in Denmark this year? It is the first weekend in June. I plan to be there, hoping COVID will not stand in my way. Regretfully, I will be missing you at the IOLI Convention, as I will be teaching my