As quilters we love all fiber – and lace is definitely a fiber. I have a bag full ~ some from family members, some from thrift stores and rummage sales, and some from shops I’ve visited around the world. I’ve used it in a few quilts, but usually just a small amount as an embellishment. My “Lacy Hearts” quilt was made in the 90s. It includes many bits that evoke memories. There’s lace, pieces of jewelry, and buttons from grandma’s button box. And it’s hand quilted!
I even used a small amount to mimic the “gingerbread” trim on the Cross House in my “Sidewalks of Sun Prairie” quilt.
When Will and I were in Venice at Christmas time we visited the island of Burano. It is known for it’s lace making tradition and we watched a woman painstakingly stitch Venetian lace with a needle and thread (click here for a link to that post).
One of our first stops on our recent trip to the UK was in France. After we visited Monet’s gardens we did a walking tour of the city of Rouen. As our guide talked about the cathedral, she told us that much of it was built in the Gothic style of architecture which is very ornate.
This close up photo of an area in the back of the cathedral shows the details a bit more clearly.
Our guide told us that the French people sometimes refer to this type of carving as “stone lace” (I don’t remember the French phrase). What an interesting use of a fiber related term! We saw quite a bit of “stone lace” on the trip. An interesting additional bit of information is that many of the cathedrals were made of limestone that darkens with time. When they cleaned this portion of this cathedral they left the arch over the door uncleaned to show the difference. Wow!
That afternoon when we got back on the ship I spent some time looking at the English Channel over the railing. I was hypnotised by the froth on the waves as we moved through the sea. It seemed to create a type of watery lace that reflected in the glass of the balcony.
I didn’t think about lace again for a few days. Then we arrived in Brugge, Belgium. As we walked into town there were vintage posters along the path. This one struck me as very interesting. It’s from 1900 and is of a woman making bobbin lace. We would discover that bobbin lace was very important to Brugge’s history.
This storefront window contained some lovely lace, as well as a small leather bobbin lace pillow with work in progress. It’s a very different process from the needle and thread method used in Italy. I’ve seen artists making this type of lace and it is a tedious process. How do they keep track of all those bobbins?
As we wandered a bit further there was an even larger example of this intricate workmanship in progress.
How could anyone wrap their head around this?!? Who figured it out in the first place!?! And just imagine how long a piece like this would take to make! I think I’ll stick with quilting 😊.
This all brought a post from long ago to mind. My friend Connie attended my Open Lab classes at WCTC for years. Of all the projects she worked on in class my favorite was her doily tree skirts (to read about them click here).
Doilies are a type of lace and Connie had quite a collection from friends and family members. Making these tree skirts for her kids and grandkids was a labor of love.
And one last “lace in quilts” photo. My friend Lori just sent out an email with a photo of her “Lace and Linen Liberty Flag” quilt in honor of our nations 250th! It is beautiful, and the pattern is available on her site (click here):
There are many types of lace, many ways to make it and oodles of ways to use it in quilting. I’ve tried my hand at tatting too with little success. How about you? Have you made lace? Have you used it in a quilt? Please send photos!
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Also, my sweet mom, Virginia Walters, went to be with her Savior this past week. Her funeral is tomorrow. Next week’s post will be a tribute to her. Thank you to all who have prayed for her and my family.
judy raddatz says
Thinking of you with the loss of you beloved mother. She will always be with you
Eileen Diercks says
You have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. What wonderful memories you have to cherish of her time on earth! Blessings and prayers for you and your family.
Vaunce Ashby says
Wow, fabulous pictures and a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing this with us. I had an opportunity to go to Belgium and visit Bruges a couple years ago and one of the things I was amazed by was making lace. I had an opportunity to watch a woman with the bobs and her rhythm movement of the bobbin just drew me in. I made a very detailed textural water quilt, using several different types of fabrics and textures, but it never occurred to me to use lace. I will be looking for a piece of lace to add to my stash and can’t wait to try it in something. Thank you again for your encouragement, wise words.
Vicki Petersen says
My condolences on the loss of your mother. Prayers for you and your family.
Nancy says
My condolences on the passing of your mother. Hugs to you and all of her loved ones.
Victoria Johnson says
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that she will be with her Lord
When I lived in Madison, WI in the 70’s, I went to the Lace Factory (the Upright Swiss Embroideries Factory) in New Glarus. It is closed, but it was fun to see the large machines.
Karen Christensen says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sue Halpern says
Sending you and your family my sincere condolences on the loss of your dear mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate this difficult time.
Laurie Neubauer says
My deepest sympathies on the loss of your loving Mom, Virginia. We are saddened by this news, and pray for god’s comfort to you and your family…. Peace, Laurie
Sharon says
A time to grieve and yet a time to rejoice with the assurance that your mom is with her Lord and Savior. May God grant you comfort.
Tomi Fay Forbes says
Chris – there is peace in your mother’s final journey. Thank you for sharing.
It’s not a French word that I know of, but the beautifully cut stonework on the cathedral you discussed is often called stone tracery. Perhaps that is the word you were referring to.
My blessings,
Callie says
Dear Chris,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. May God grant you and your family comfort, and joyful memories. You are a wonderful daughter. No regrets! 😇🙏🪦
Callie
Lynda Ryan says
Those we love never go away as they live on in our hearts. Cherish the memories.
Prayers for you and your family
Sharyn Loughry says
May our Lord Jesus and the Comforter be close to you at this time. Praise God that we do have hope that does not disappoint in the midst of our grief!
Linda Schuler says
My sympathies to you for the loss of your mother. It will always feel like she is close by and she is so proud of you. Be thankful you have been able to have her in your life for this long.
Doris Ast says
My sympathy on the passing of your mother. Mothers are so special and they leave a void in your heart and she is in the hands of the Lord now.
Donna Karolus says
Dear Chris
I am sorry to hear about your mom. I know that you and the family have had time to mentally prepare for this but it’s so final. I know that you all will miss her as I still miss my mom who passed in 3/2023. Every once in a while I will see something that reminds me of her and I say ‘Mom would like that’. It keeps her memory alive for me and my siblings.
Del Grala says
Dear Chris,
My heart is sad to learn your mom has passed. She had such a warm smile. May wonderful memories bring comfort to you and your family. God’s blessings to you.
Rene Syeven says
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. She is at peace now with the Lord. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Perinovic says
So sorry to read about the loss of your mom…thoughts and prayers are with you and your family