Hi Devon and all. I did some research into the early tapes for my book on Borris Lace. See p.14 Mezzo Punto was first employed by lacemakers in Milan and Genoa in the 17th century according to Mrs Head, The Lace and Embroidery Collector, 1922, p33.
The manufacture of braids was an important craft in medieval Europe where they were produced in workshops and also made by noble women as a leisure activity. Crowfoot E. et al, Textiles and Clothing 1150-1450, Museum of London. 2008 p.130 I also found references to loom-woven linen tape produced in Holland prior to 1885. Caulfield & Saward, A dictionary of needlework, 1885 p.472 I expect that the early tapes were produced by both loom and bobbins. An early piece of Borris lace in the National Museum of Ireland dated 1868 contains a thick but narrow tape which resembles a tightly woven shoe lace which I presume to have been made using a small loom similar to illustrations in Crowfoot where the tape produced resembles this shoelace style of tape. An interesting topic but much that is written seems to be conjecture. Unfortunately I haven't time at present to look up my research notes so have just referred to what is mentioned in my book. Regards Annette in Wollongong Australia. Devon wrote: In the 17th century there were laces made from premade tapes. The tapes were tacked onto a pattern and filled with often very beautiful and elaborate needle lace stitches. These tapes look to be of woven linen. I would think it would be much easier to make such tapes with a small loom. However, my colleague who weaves thinks it might be easier to make them with bobbins. P.S. In the 19th and early 20th century there were laces based on these early laces such as Battenburg lace that were quite popular. It is often the case that these are also called Mezzo Punto. In fact, it may be that only in the 19th century did they start to call the tape based laces of the 17th century Mezzo Punto, so this adds to the confusion. I am assuming that all the tapes in the 19th and 20th century were machine woven. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
