Bobbin lace is a plaited lace. Cotton was chosen due to the more easy availability and cost.

According to Le Pompe: Patterns for Venetian Bobbin Lace, bobbin lace was most commonly made from silk, metal threads. Linen was more commonly used for undergarments, as well as household linens.
It appears that bobbin lace originated in Italy and was introduced to Zurich in 1536. There is a reference to it being in Italy some 25 years before that. (Le Pompe quoting Nuw Modelbuch ). Another idea for a project of mine, which has a very simple bobbin lace edge, this time in black from a portait by Battista Maroni (Portrait of Noblewoman). This edging is very similar to a pattern from Le Pompe - p20: reprinted from Nuw Modelbuch (1560) This will require only 2 pairs of bobbins.

September, 2004:

You can find several interesting books (pdf) online at the Digital Archive of Books: including:

These have some nice contemporary pics of lace, including on some camcias. It is amazing what you can find on internet searches!!!

 

For the ongoing diary of the partlet CLICK HERE

 

Bibliography

. There is a reference to it being in Italy some 25 years before that. (Le Pompe quoting Nuw Modelbuch ). Another idea for a project of mine, which has a very simple bobbin lace edge, this time in black from a portait by Battista Maroni (Portrait of Noblewoman). This edging is very similar to a pattern from Le Pompe - p20: reprinted from Nuw Modelbuch (1560) This will require only 2 pairs of bobbins.

September, 2004:

You can find several interesting books (pdf) online at the Digital Archive of Books: including:

These have some nice contemporary pics of lace, including on some camcias. It is amazing what you can find on internet searches!!!

 

For the ongoing diary of the partlet CLICK HERE

 

Bibliography