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!

New Arrivals: Openwork and Lacey Fabrics

Our New Arrivals table is packed with gems this season, including this assortment of lacey knits and openwork embroidered fabrics!

Colorful Lace

Lace isn't just for bridal gowns! We have an abundance of gorgeous lace fabric in an array of colors and styles for spring and summer. From delicate beaded laces to rich embroidered net, you'll find something to coordinate with any look. So why not add a little lace? Or a lot?

Lace Trims

Lace can perfectly complete a garment. You can always add a little extra touch, even if your pattern doesn't call for it! Take a look at our lovely new styles. (We've photographed them over a blue background to better show the details.)

First up, wide stretch laces. Pair stretch lace with knit fabrics - or even use for lingerie!

These non-stretch laces pair best with woven fabrics. From narrow cotton edgings to wide embroidered net, there are lots of laces for you to choose from!

Give your project the perfect finishing touch!

Lace Tunic

Treadlette Jennifer saw this cotton crochet-type lace and knew it had to be a cool summer blouse. With lace so popular right now and sheer tops so breezy and comfortable, we have to agree!

Jennifer used a strip of the lace's selvage to bind the neckline, and layered the blouse over a silky tank top - no lining needed!

 The pattern is Vogue 8913, made without the waist seam. Simply overlap and tape your pattern pieces together to cut the top in one piece.

What's your latest summer sewing project? You can always chat and share photos at our Facebook page!

Summer Lace Inspiration!

A few weeks ago we shared some of our great selection of bright, summery lace. Now we have some fabulous garment inspiration for what you can sew with all that great lace from the pages of Vogue Patterns Magazine.

Patterns, clockwise from upper left, are: Vogue 4136, Vogue 8938, Vogue 9109, and Vogue 8808. You can see larger images in real living color if you stop by our store! Or take a look at the online preview here.

Even better, we have several of the exact lace fabrics pictured in the magazine! Planning the perfect garment is easy.

More photos of our new favorite prom dress!

If you liked the fabulous lace prom dress we shared last week, take a look at these photos from the event! The dress is modeled by Amanda, the young woman who designed and sewed it!

Doesn't she look stunning?

Check out our previous post for more details about this dress!

A Delightful Prom Dress

You may have seen this dress displayed in our front window. It was made by one of our Treadle sewing class students for her senior prom. We were absolutely blown away by the fantastic job Amanda did on this ambitious design!

Amanda used a heavily beaded and embroidered lace which she appliqued by hand to the foundation fabric.

The back has a great detail, too: A deep V laced closed with a huge pink silk bow!

Amanda used Vogue 8729, a vintage re-release, to make this dress.

And finally, to finish the outfit, a little clutch purse made in matching silk with a leftover scrap of the beaded lace. Adorable!

Thanks for sharing your fabulous dress with us, Amanda!

Colorful Lace

Lace isn't just for bridal wear! We have a huge assortment of new laces in bright summery colors!

Lace looks sheer and cool blended with solid fabrics and can go from dressy to casual depending on how you style it. The latest issue of Vogue Patterns Magazine has a feature on using lace for casual summer garments. It's full of great ideas!

There are also loads of laces in black and subtle neutrals.

New Trims!

Trims are the frosting on your sewing project. Add a little detail and make your garment special with the right trimming. We have lots of new selections to choose from!

Here are some of our newest white and cream lace edgings. Choose a fine delicate one to edge a bridal veil or create an heirloom project, or use a wider edging to decorate a skirt hem for a petticoat look.

If white lace is not your look, take a look at these new lace edgings in black and rich colors!

Why use plain old bias tape when a floral bias tape adds such wonderful charm? These single-fold tapes can finish an armhole or neckline, or applique them down like a ribbon.

And the polka dot ribbons below are twice as fun - they're reversible!

Does your project need a little trim?

Colorful Lace

A few weeks ago we shared some gorgeous bridal lace, but lace doesn't always have to be white! We have a huge assortment of colorful lace fabrics in the store for your perfect special occasion ensemble! Get holiday party ready with fun, elegant lace!

This beaded and embroidered net is deep turquoise, with silver threads mixed into the embroidery.

Here's a detail from a warm brown and burgundy beaded lace.

This honey-colored net has embroidered and sequined feathers!

Silver is so wintry and magical. This very fine net has soft embroidery and sequins.

Want something simpler, but still packed with bling? This silver net is covered with shimmering sequins.

Here's a lovely brown net enriched with metallic copper embroidery and beads.

 Bling not your thing? These laces have plenty of color, but without the beading.

There are so many more lovely laces in our store! Come in and find your perfect holiday look.