An excerpt from the INTRODUCTORY:
ON the charm of Lace it is scarcely necessary to dwell; it is prized by every woman and is the only ornament that is always suitable and becoming from infancy to old age, whilst in its
unobtrusive elegance it lends a beauty and dignity to the wearer which raises her at once above the ordinary level.
Lace-making may certainly be classed under the Fine Arts, especially when allied to good design, for it must be remembered that, like most of the Fine Arts, design plays a very important part
In Lace, and it was mainly due to the lack of good designs that our English Lace Industry diminished so seriously.
A great effort is being made to revive It, however, and when the matter is properly understood, which is merely a question of time, this revival of one of our oldest and most interesting
industries will receive the encouragement necessary for its future prosperity. Belgium In particular has set us a good example In this respect, Lace-making in that country being a great
national Industry, and no doubt Belgium owes much of her present prosperity to this revived and ever-increasing Lace Industry, whilst In many of the Continental towns and villages It is
regarded as so useful an accomplishment that the art of Lace-making is taught in the public elementary schools.
Every girl, rich or poor, should be taught Bobbin Lace; it is most fascinating work, the movement of the bobbins being so different to anything else, and it is neither tedious nor trying to the
eyes, a great point.
＂There is still,’’ says Ruskin, ＂ some distinction between Machine-made and Handmade Lace. I will suppose that distinction so far done away with that, a pattern once invented, you can spin Lace
as fast as they now do thread. Everybody then might wear, not only Lace collars, but Lace gowns. Do you think that, when everybody could wear them, everybody would be proud of wearing them? A
spider may, perhaps, be rationally proud of his own cobweb, even though all the fields in the morning are covered with the like, for he made it himself; but suppose a machine spun it for him?
Suppose all the gossamer were Nottingham made? If you think of it, you will find the whole value of Lace as a possession depends on the fact of its having a beauty which has been the reward of
industry and attention.
That the thing is itself a price — a thing everybody cannot have. That it proves, by the look of it, the ability of the maker; that it proves, by the rarity of it, the dignity of its wearer.
The real good of a piece of Lace, then, you will find, is that it should show first, that the designer of it had a pretty fancy ; next, that the maker of it had fine fingers; and lastly, that
the wearer of it has worthiness or dignity enough to obtain what it is difficult to obtain.＂
To the nervous delicate woman, the making of Bobbin Lace is a restful, soothing occupation, and in these days of stress and strain, it would prove a complete boon if every woman gave a few
hours’ relaxation daily to this beautiful art, whilst ladies with benevolent intentions would find it a lucrative and suitable occupation to introduce into Homes and Charitable Institutions,
especially for crippled children, invalids of either sex, and others requiring a light, interesting occupation, that can be followed with very little outlay and expense.
The term ＂Bobbin＂ Lace is a very comprehensive one, there being over fifty varieties, most of them demanding different treatment, for although the three principal stitches, commonly known as
Cloth Stitch, Half Stitch and Plait Stitch, form the foundation of all kinds of Bobbin Lace, yet in the application of these stitches to the different kinds of Lace the method varies
considerably....
