Friday Fun Fact: Carrickmacross Lace

It's St. Patrick's Day! We're exploring the history of handmade Irish lace.

Of all the Irish laces, including crochet lace, Carrickmacross is my favorite. 

It was brought to Ireland in 1816 by a Mrs. John Grey Porter upon return from her honeymoon in Italy. She opened a school in Carrickmacross to teach the technique and it soon became a cottage industry.



This lace is made by combining several techniques: embroidery, applique, and needle lace.

It's begun with a layer of fine cotton net, usually machine-made. The net was laid over a pattern drawn on paper.

Then a layer of fine, sheer muslin (more like what we know as voile) was laid over the net and all the layers were basted in place.

Next, embroidery was worked in shapes outlining the pattern. Excess muslin and netting were carefully cut away, and filling stitches could be worked in the open areas. 

The result was a beautiful embroidered net with varying density and openness.

This technique is still practiced by lace hobbyists today! 

Have you ever made lace? Would you give Carrickmacross lace a try?

See more examples at The Little Lace Museum!

Check out all our Friday Fun Facts in the archive here!