Bobbin lace
[3] There are two books that represent the early known pattern descriptions for bobbin lace, Le Pompe[4] from Venice and Nüw Modelbuch[5] from Zürich.
[8] Coarse passements of gold and silver-wrapped threads or colored silks gradually became finer, and later bleached linen yarn was used to make both braids and edgings.
There was a ready market for bobbin lace of all qualities, and women throughout Europe soon took up the craft which earned a better income than spinning, sewing, weaving or other home-based textile arts.
[2] In the 17th century, the textile centers of Flanders and Normandy eclipsed Italy as the premiere sources for fine bobbin lace, but until the Industrial Revolution and the coming of mechanization hand-lacemaking continued to be practiced throughout Europe, suffering only in those periods of simplicity when lace itself fell out of fashion.
Bess of Hardwick bought red silk, gold, and silver thread for making "bone lace" in 1549, the earliest English reference to this kind of work.
[13] Today bobbin lace is made with a variety of natural and synthetic fibers and with wire and other filaments.
[14] Even bobbin lace made from human hair, point tresse, was once popular as a personal memento.
[18] In the European towns where lace was once a major industry or popular artisanry, especially in Belgium, England, Spain (Camariñas and Almagro), Portugal (Azores, Caminha, Lagos, Nisa, Olhão, Peniche, Póvoa de Varzim, Sesimbra, Setúbal, Silves, Viana do Castelo, Vila do Conde and Viseu (Farminhão),[19] being known as Renda de Bilros),[20][21][22] France and Slovenia lacemakers still demonstrate the craft and sell their wares, though their customer base has shifted from the wealthy nobility to the curious tourist.
[24] Other artists are giving grounds a major role by distorting and varying stitches, pin distances and thread sizes or colours.
[25] Inspiring journals, guilds and foundations show that old techniques with a new twist can challenge young people to create works that can definitely classify as art.
[29] A Dutch design graduate in 2006 discovered bobbin lace was a technique to make a fancy fence.
Within the lace community, commemorative bobbins designating annual meetings, special anniversaries, or historic events are frequently offered which become collector's items.
[35] Usually the bolster had the pattern pinned round the cylinder, so by turning the pillow, the lace could be as long as was needed.
Quarterly publications of "The Bulletin" journal provide articles about current projects and events, historical research, annual meeting details, patterns, and more.
OIDFA organizes annual global congresses, regional fairs, and local gatherings to promote the appreciation and knowledge of lacemaking.
