Monday, March 31, 2008

Confection By The Inch



As an antique textile appraiser I have the priviledge of gathering snippets of lace that have been hidden away for years and brought forth once again to be enjoyed.

Though I cherish the early European needle and bobbin laces the ones shown here best demonstrate the type I refer to as humble immigrant lace.

Tucked inside of trunks, folded neatly in a satchel or stuffed into a carpet bag these laces and their patterns came to America with the early settlers.

Sometimes named air-lace because unlike bobbin or needle they are made in the air with the help of nimble fingers, a needle, hairpin or crochet hook.

Irish crochet worn by royalty and the gentry arrived with the families escaping the potato famine of the early 1800's. Tatting crossed the continent in covered wagons. Hairpin and knitted lace were the topic of conversation in many a fancy parlor along the east coast.

And while the luscious Continental laces were coveted, smuggled and paid a king's ransom for, these little confections by the inch made their way across the ocean and into our hearts.



Cabinet - Bunny by Christine Crocker (Deerfield Farmhouse), lace on spools awaiting folkart dollmakers, seamstress' and collectors.

20 comments:

Pinkie Denise said...

Hello Susan,
I hope your daughter is doing ok, I have not been a good blogger lately and noticed you have taken a break..
Love all the pretty laces, I am not
sure of the names or origins of all of them, I just know I love handmade things...You said they are awaiting a
dressmaker, do you sell them?
I wanted to ask how your doing on your theater also? I am not sure about mine....Take care Pinkie Denise

Joy Jones said...

Hi Susan! What a beautiful post. I LOVE lace and have been working this past week with snippets of vintage French and Irish lace from bridal hankies. I am setting these sweet pieces of history between glass and making soldered jewelry with them. Like you, I am just fascinated with the intricate details and the stories about their past. They are soooo special. Thanks for sharing - have a wonderful week! ~ xoxo Joy J.

Lori said...

Susan i like the history lessons that you share with us...i like old things, but really never know the history behind them...your laces are truly gorgeous and i love the sweet vignette you have created with the spools and the sweet bunny lass:)

Doreen Frost said...

Oh my goodness...I would love to get my hands on the whole lot. I have a fondness for antique trims and ribbons. I am amazed at the craftsmanship that goes into these beautiful pieces of the past.

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. Always a pleasure :)

Hugs,
Doreen

Carole said...

Hi Susan! Great to hear from you on my blog. So glad you stopped by for a visit..I am not enjoying Dancing with the Stars this time around. Are you? I am disappointed with "the stars" that are participating. None of them really interest me. Darn, because you know I always loved watching that show. Idol is good either. Maybe it's just me.
Take care, friend.
Carole

Donna O'Brien said...

After this post I'm sure you'll be parting with quite a bit of it. Anything on a spool makes me happy!
D.

Naturegirl said...

Ms. Maddie it is such a pleasure to meet you and stop by your wonderful blog filled with lace and linens oh so pretty! You live so close to me!!!Thank you for commenting at my Nature-Trail!!
I sent you rays of sunshine from my home away from home! hugs NG

kattz*cottage said...

Hi Susan!
What a wonderful collection of confections! I LOVE LACES & can never pass them up at garage sales - I have a drawer full that I use in sewing projects. Even if never used they make me happy just to look at them!

Enjoy your day!
Kathy

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Susan, sigh, aren't they just the absolute best? I can stop and sort through bins of laces forever. They are amazing. It's always so fun to visit you, girl after my own heart.
xo Lidy

A home far away said...

First time looking on your blog, you have a very inspirering blog! I am a swede living in Singapore and trying to build up a new home there, it´s not easy:-)
Take care

Sherry said...

These are simply exquisite!!!

Christine LeFever said...

Old lace is so beautiful that I display bits and pieces of it here and there throughout my art room. Your display is a complete treasure including Christe's wonderful bunny doll.

Christine

Doreen Frost said...

Hello Susan. I'm having a 100th post giveaway, stop by my blog if you would like to sign up.

:)Doreen

Sandy said...

Lovely lace and thanks for lacy lesson on lace!

rochambeau said...

Hi Susan,
Like Pinkie D, I'm wondering how your daughter is. Hope she is feeling well and you too.

I once learned how to tat lace. Is that the same as bobbin lace? Textiles make my heart happy.

xox
Constance

Dorian Fletcher said...

I have boxes of lace that were my grandmother's and quite a number of sweet baby gowns. No place to display them, but they are such treasures. I do have a baby picture of my daughter in one of the gowns. In these fast-moving times, it does one good to touch a piece of the past when women had the time to devote to such creations.

Heather said...

It must be so neat to work with such treasures! The lace is so beautiful, its amazing that it was kept all these years, so simple but so beautiful!

Lea said...

Hello Susan, the lace and white frocks are incredible. Please thank Miss Maddie for bringing us glimpses of such beauty and history... In your previous post, I love seeing the bare patches of ground, where the white blankets of snow are receding, letting the frocks be clouds in the blue sky!

Thank you for this beauty!

My best to you and your daughter. XO

Christine Crocker said...

oh my! Little Chalke is in heaven, see that look of pure bliss on her little bunny face....
as Donna said, anything on a spool makes me happy!
C

Pocket Full of Prettys said...

I didn't know that lace was once made with a hairpen. So interesting, thanks for sharing.