Brenda wrote: Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2006 01:31:26 +0000 From: Brenda Paternoster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [lace] Machine made needlelace -- ???
I've just put a scan of my piece of Chinese needlelace onto http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/lace/chinese_needlelace.htm or http://tinyurl.com/7qpav Do you think it's entirely hand made or just had assembled? Brenda About 20 years ago I purchased similar Chinese Needlelace mats from D H Evans department store in London when they had a Chinese Exhibition. Since then I have bought several others. I do not know of any machine that can produce 'real' needlelace stitches. A Chinese KNITTING machine cannot produce real button-hole stitches. The Handstitch machine, Joshua Heilman 1826 - I think the date is right - can make a very good copy. However, on close inspection with a magnifying glass, the stitches are all based on an in-and-out weaving stitch, but in various combinations. I have a Handstich machine copy of Venitian Gros Point, that from a distance would fool anyone. I will write more about the Handstich machine when I have time - I am busy proof-reading the final colour proofs of my new book on Central and South American Textiles - very exciting. I believe that all the Chinese needlelace is made by young girls in sweated workshops. They make everything in sweat-shops, shoes, clothing etc - that is why their goods are so cheap and swamping the rest of Europe, I do not know if they are exported to USA. I remember seeing a whole pile of lace mats for sale at a Craft Sale stall, looking down the pile they all looked identical - but the vendor assured me thay were all handmade. I bought two. There is a certain 'stiffness' to the design of these pieces, making them immediately identifiable as Chinese. The same can be said for their white-work embroidery produced in similar circumstances. Thanks Brenda for the lovely scans of your mats - we are all very grateful to you Angela in snowy Worcestershire UK [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
