(tatting lace courtesy Inga Ingram)
Tini Pel is nominated as "SENIOR OF THE YEAR". In announcing the nomination, here many contributions were cited, including the unique International Lace Camp, the Lace Dance
performance by Girl Guides that Mrs. Pel organized in 1998, and here work with the museum curator on antique bobbin lace displays and etc.
(fromThe Manitoulin Expositor-page 13A)
Derived from a Latin word meaning "noose" and the source of our own word "lace" Lacis is the decoration of square net by weaving fiber through the web. Crusaders returning from the East way have introduced this age-old form of embroidery, which gained popularity among the courts of Europe. The craft gained new followers in the Victorian era, when it was used most often to decorate bed and table linens.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
In the early 17th century, master lace designer Federico Vinciolo's book of patterns was copied widely, not only by the lacemakers but by marbleworkers and bookbinders as well. Gradually, with the growth of the lace industry, regional designs flourished and pattern books fell into disuse. Each region's techniques became such closely guarded secrets that sometimes the complete patterns were withheld from the lacemakers themselves.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
From the first appearance of lace, mighty princes regulated precisely who could wear it and in what amount. Rulers were concerned that everyone know his place - King Henry II of France complained in 1570 that there were at present "no distinctions between the commoners and the nobles." Controlling the type and amount of lace permitted also helped stem the flow of money to foreign lacemaking centers.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
Spanish women have long been identified with their mantillas - the beautiful scarves of white or black lace worked in styles such as Chantilly or blonde. In the early 19th century, some twelve thousand women and children labored to produce mantillas for Spain and its colonies. So honored was this symbol of a women's dignity that it could not be confiscated for debts.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
Romantic legend has it that lace began with a rose and women's love. Before riding off to war, a gallant knight would present his lady with a full-blown rose. Day by day, she would watch and pine for him as the rose faded and its petals dropped. Each fallen petal would be stitched to the rose - till all dried and fell away, and the knight's lady was left with a bit of lace in her hand.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
Lace was a favorite souvenir for Victorians, especially those who visited lacemaking centers such as Venice and Bruges. Wealthy young ladies who traveled to Paris for their bridal creations might also pick out a wordrobe of household linens, heavy with fine laces. Today, Ireland and Belgium are places to search for the best in handmade lace.
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)
In the late 19th century, doilies provided a showcase for one's ability with the needle. Prettily appointing nearly every surface in the household, these bits of decorative lace were seen lining the tea tray, scattered down the dining table's expanse, cushioning each item in the china closet. Antimacassars, also known as "tidies" served to protect upholstery, especially from the hair oil called "macassar".
(from 'The Love of Lace' by Cynthia Hart & Catherine Calvert)