Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Battenburg, A Mystery And A Confession

I mentioned Battenburg lace the other day and said I would post a piece so here you go.  The doily on the left is Battenburg lace, which I think is also called tape lace.  Or maybe not.  After this post a kind reader named Betty (no blog) wrote me and confirmed the bobbin lace and the hairpin lace.  She is very knowledgeable and I so appreciate her help!
The piece on the right is a mystery.  This is the second one I have found and I sold the first one in my Etsy last Spring.  My MIL is pretty knowledgeable about handwork but her specialty is knitting and crochet.  All she could tell me about this technique is she thinks it is worked over ribbon.  I haven't been able to spot anything similar in my new books.  Can any of you tell me anything about it?
Now about that confession...  I am an authentic doily geek.  I USE them.  Always have.  Always will.  Yep, there, I said it.  My easy chair even wears the exact same arm covers and anti-Madagascar that my mother used before me.

8 comments:

Andy's Attic said...

Well, then, you doily freak, you are ahead of the times. I just read taht the use of doilies is on its way back!!

Annette said...

I have a collection of crocheted doilies that my great grandmother made. I used them til about 5 years ago. Well, I still use a couple of them in the guest room!

WW said...

At least you use your doilies. I just collect them. I am trying to use more of them. I used a couple for a Valentine swap, so I'm getting better.

Laurie said...

I use my doilies, too! I place them in under my pretty china and glass pieces in my cabinets and on shelves. And under things on top of side tables. I love doilies. I don't know anything about your doily, except that it's pretty! My favorite lace person happens to coincidentally live nearby, and I see her sometimes at antique shows. She has an etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/timespentlaces and I see she it is on 'vacation' right now; but you can still look at her sold items and read some of the descriptions -- she knows A LOT about lace and is a great resource. Have fun!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

These are so pretty and delicate. I wish I could contribute to solving the mystery of the doily on the right. I looked through the lace section of a reference book, but there wasn't anything that looks like yours....a lot of pretty lace though.

Unknown said...

Kathy, it is called cornation cord - see p. 216 of your vintage textiles book. Your example uses cornation cord in conjunction with crochet to create the lacy edging.

Betty

Andria said...

I know nothing, but these are lovely!

vintage grey said...

Do you know how they made the Battenburg lace? The other one is so pretty! xo Heather