A Brief History of Bobbin Lace
Bobbin lace is one of the ways lace was made before lace machines were invented. It is made using a firm working surface called a lace pillow, spindles of wood to hold the thread called bobbins, a pattern on firm card stock with pinholes punched in it called a pricking, and many pins used to hold the thread in place once the stitches are completed.
Beginning in the sixteenth century, bobbin lace was extremely valued for its beauty, intricacy, and style. As a result, it received such prestige that is was reserved for royalty and the wealthy. Men as well as women wore lace not only because of the fashion of the day, but because it allowed people to see at a glance that the person was affluent and important. It was the status symbol of the era.
Many styles of making bobbin lace have been developed through the centuries. Lace patterns could be designed for making yardage or for making motifs that could be used individually or added to other motifs to make a larger lace piece. Part of this development was driven by fashion, but the overwhelming majority was driven by commerce.Even though the lacemakers did not receive much money for the lace they made, many other jobs in a community were also related to bobbin lace:
1. The pattern makers,
2. The bobbin makers,
3. The thread makers,
4. The people who sewed the lace to a garment or handkerchief, and
5. The merchant who sold it to the customers.
Therefore, it was important to the financial stability of the community to have their lace look unique and be exclusively made in that region.
With the development of machinemade lace, it became difficult for bobbin lacemakers to compete and earn a living. As a result, lacemaking as an occupation has become rare. Now people interested in bobbin lace are primarily doing it as a hobby. In earlier times, patterns and techniques were closely guarded. Now books are available for lacemakers to study and learn from the past.
Our Temporary Display at Madison Heights Library, 2016
All items were hand-crafted by Cardinal Lace Guild Members