What is Lace?
Lace is an open-work fabric or structure which is manufactured by the manipulation of threads, wires or other filamentous materials.
The open-work nature of the fabric or structure is created by a deliberate pattern of decorative holes which form an essential part of the design.
Techniques employed to manipulate the threads include: bobbin lace, needle lace, tatting, knotting, netting, crochet, knitting, and sprang.
The fabric or structure thus created must exist independently of a mounted backing or support.
Excluded from the definition of lace are:
Textiles without holes.
Textiles where the holes are accidental.
Textiles where the holes do not form an integral part of the design.
Surface embroideries, drawn thread and cutwork.
Footnote: even though
they do not fall within the above definition of lace,
appliquéd, embroidered and tamboured nets, Ruskin lace,
reticella etc, are usually regarded as such.
Component parts of a lace
The sample lace illustrated is
worked in Torchon Lace, which is probably
the most popular type of lace in the UK today. The
geometric design motifs of this lace are usually adequately
distinct without the need for an outlining thread, or gimp,
which is often found in other laces.
ABC(1) Bedfordshire, Braid,
Carrickmackenzie
CD
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