Battenberg Lace
Battenberg lace, also called tape lace, is familiar to most
of us. Tape laces are made on a
foundation of fabric tape. Originally,
the tape was handmade needle-lace or bobbin lace, but since the industrial
revolution commercially made tape has been available for purchase in varying
widths.
The tape is basted onto a pattern of either paper or
fabric. A sturdy thread on either side
of the tape made be gathered to adjust the tape to the curves of the
pattern. Then a variety of needle-lace stitches
create the lace-like filling in the areas between the tape outline. Stitches include, but are not limited to,
buttonhole, bar or “bride” stitches, Russian stitch and net stitch (along with
many variations of the above stitches).
These filling stitches do not pierce the ground fabric but form a
cohesive fabric that is connected to the ground by the original baste stitches
securing the tape. Once the design is
finished, these basting stitches are removed and, voila!, you have a piece of
lace to be used as a corner piece for a collar or hankie or appliqué or
insertion for a dress bodice.
purchased commercial lace tape
preprinted lace pattern on fabric ground
pattern labeled "Honiton collar #13"
preprinted patterns on paper. note basted tape on pattern top right
preprinted pattern for a dresser scarf
2 vintage pieces
note the tape on the right has a scalloped edge rather than straight
 |
modern machine made collar with tape lace edging and insertion |
 |
| imported machine made doileys from China |
For needleworkers of all levels, this type of lace can be made over a weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment