Types of Lace Antique

Lace has served to decorate linens and clothing for a very long time. While most lace is machine made today, there are a number of antique lace types, each with their own characteristics. Most of the time, a lace antique, whether on linens or a garment, reveals careful hand crafting. Lace is defined as openwork, consisting of holes, knots, wraps and threads that form a pattern.

Bobbin Lace

Bobbin lace is produced by wrapping threads over and around a carefully placed set of pins to form a pattern. Producing bobbin lace is time and labor intensive and dates to at least the early 16th century.

Knitted Lace

Knitted lace uses fine yarn or thread and knitting needles to produce the open designs typical of lace. Knitted lace has been produced since the 12th century and can be quite simple or very complex, depending upon the pattern and the knitter's skill.

Crocheted Lace

Crocheted lace came to popularity in the 19th century and was a very accessible and convenient home craft. Much of this type of antique lace not made in the home was produced in Ireland.

Tatting

Tatting uses a needle or shuttle to produce a series of loops and knots that combine to form lace. Stitches are formed around a base thread. Tatting was common in 19th century America.

Tape Lace

Antique tape laces combine strips of machine made fabric or ribbon with handwork. Hand stitching connects each ribbon or motif of the lace together. This option made lacemaking a less laborious and costly process.

Eyelet Lace

Eyelet lace is produced by embroidering on whole fabric. The eyelets are created by punching a hole in the fabric or simply forcing a space between threads. Eyelet lace does not meet the true definition of lacework.

Resources

• Types of Lace
• Antique Bobbin Lace
• The Lace Guild