What is machine lace?

Another lace made by machine was the Nottingham lace curtain machine. It distinguishes itself as a lace that was not made to copy bobbin made lace. The mesh is square/rectangular and more closely resembles a filet/Lacis type of lace rather than a bobbin lace.

Of the most popular types of machine made laces, the Barman machine did not have it's origins in England. The other difference is that it was not based on net lace. It derived it's patterns and designs forming tapes and braids to be later pieced together with openwork. It is limited to a width of 8 inches but manages to most closely resemble bobbin lace with it's cross - twist movements.

Embroidered Machine Lace, also known as Shiffli Lace, runs the gamut from eyelet type cutwork lace, to Chemical Lace. The cutwork type lace originated in Switzerland. It uses a foundation fabric which is embroidered with machine and portions are cut away leaving holes which give it the lace effect. It is also embroidered on netting or sheer fabrics, which gives a gauzy illusion of lace.

Chemical lace uses a foundation material which is desolved away (also known as burn out) after the embroidery is done leaving only the embroidery stitches behind. Most 'Bridal Lace' today is made with this method. Most lace centers, shops and schools also sell this type of lace as an affordable commemorative of your visit.

There are many more types of machine lace and I have only presented a brief outline here. If you wish to know more the following books are recommended.

Lace Machines and Machine Laces by Pat Ernshaw
Lace Machines & Machine Laces vol.2 by Pat Earnshaw
Victorian Lace by Patricia Wardle
The Identification of Lace by Pat Earnshaw
Lace and Lace Making by Alice-May Bullock
How to Recognize Machine Lace by Earnshaw, Pat
Leavers Lace- Handbook o American Leavers Lace Industry by Vittoria Rosatto,
Singer Instructions for Art Embroidery and Lace Work by Singer

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