Bobbins Of Belgium
A book of Belgian Lace, Lace-workers, Lace-schools and Lace-villages
Preface
Introduction
Lace is a tissue composed of mesli and "flowers" (pattern), or either one alone, produced with a needle and single thread, or with several threads manipulated by means of bobbins. It is the product of a natural evolution from early embroideries and weaving.
Turnhout - Lace Children Of The North
Lace is the flower of Belgium; the white blossom that springs from the teaming plains of the Flanders, from the agricultrual districts, and from the mournful Campine of the North. During the long and solitary winters, when work in the fields is impossible, thousands of women and girls and little children turn to their lace cushions, and dreary rooms are enlivened by the music of the flying bobbins.
Courtrai - Early Home of Valenciennes
Just why do the waters of the Lys river surpass all others in their power to rot the encasing straw and generally cleanse the flax? Regardless of the reason, Courtrai was established as a world market for fine raw linen.
Thourout-Thielt-Wynghene - In The Important Bobbin Lace Area
The disctricts of Iseghem, Thielt and Wynghene, all celebrated for their guipures. Guipure, a rather vague commercial term covering two widely different groups of lace may be loosely defined as bobbin lace without a mesh base.
Grammont - Belgian Home Of Chantilly
Chantilly has seen great days. It appeared first in France about 1740, where it achieved a phenomenal popularity, which was unfortunately rudely ended by the Revolution, for since it was a favorite lace at court, the Revolutionists made it a crime to appear in Chantilly.
Bruges - Queen Of Lace Cities
Bruges is of ancient lineage in the lace world; she has preserved unbroken, through at least four centuries, the traditions of that world. There are those even who believe that medieval bobbin lace had its origin in her territory, and they are at least supported by legend.
Kerxken - Sister Robertine
The most important lace district of Eastern Flanders. The Alost region which in 1896 counted 8, 500 workers, is known throughout the lace world for its Needle Point and Venise.
Erembodeghem - The Queen's Cloth
Nearly all the women in this town, as in Kerxhen, make lace, and again it is chiefly Needle Point and Venise. The convent, which furnishes the customary directing and stimulating center, has no superior in the country for its particluar laces.
Opbrakel - Mother House Of A Famous Lace-Making Order
The finest needle laces of Belgium are made in these convents of the Sceurs Fransciscaines.
Liedekerke - The Last Lace Stronghold of Brabant
Liedekerke began its lace career with Point d'Angleterre, and in changing later to Application was merely responding to popular demand of the time.
Herzele - A Chateau Of Refuge
While this is chiefly a needle-work district, large quantities of bobbin laces are also made. To be sure, none of these laces is superior, but they are good, and marketable. The include Cluny, Duchesse de Bruxelles, and a kind of course Flanders, Venise, and Rosaline.
Ghent -A Lace Queen Of Long Ago
The lace history of Ghent begins with the lace history of Belgium, in the 16th century; but her great period dates from the 17th century and the introduction of the epoch-making mesh of Valenciennes.
Zele - Visiting the Trade Union Lace School
Zele is a remote town of only 6,000 inhabitants. This is an account of the original author's visit to this historic village and the school. A fascinating account and eye opening history.
Appendix
Flower Pattern
Laces Made with the Needle
The Points Or STitches Most Frequently Employed
The Plat
The jours or open-work stitches
The Point One Or Stitch-One
The Mirror Stitch
Buttonhole Stitches
The Variety Of Needle Laces
Vinise
Reticella
Rose Point
Brussels Point or Needle Point
Bobbin Lace
The Two Groups
Those With Cut Threads
Those Made With Continuous Threads
Illustration of Bobbins
A Pattern For Bobbin Lace
Varieties of Bobbin Lace
Bruges
Duchesse
Rosaline
Flanders
Application
Lace made with uncut or continuous threads
Creating the pattern
Bobbin Laces Made With Continuous Threads
CLuny
Laces with a mesh base
Valenciennes
Binche
Malines
Point de Paris
Point de Lille
Chantilly
Patterns for previous varieties of bobbin lace
Cluny lace pattern
Interpreted torchon pattern
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