Needle Lace
A style of needle lace known as cut work; or, depending on its method of construction, reticella or punto in aria was common throughout Europe in the mid 16th to the mid 17th centuries. It is made by creating the lace patterns using embroidery stitches. Many items were made or decorated with needle lace, including ruffs, cauls, partlets and handkerchiefs. It was usually made of white linen thread. Below are some examples of needle lace I have made. (Click on the picture to see details).

Pictures of 16th Century Lace - page 1

Pictures of 16th Century Lace - page 2 - People

Pictures of 16th Century Lace - page 3 (includes colored cutwork)

Reticella Instructions

List of My Favorite Lace Books

Lace Patterns

Why I think they Embroidered on Parchement in 16th Century

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Lace Caul - reticella - made with 90/2 linen thread on handkerchief linen - Lace patterns from Singuliers et Nouveaux Pourtraicts (1587) and Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne (1617)

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Fencers - based on figure from from "The Schoole of the Noble and Worthy Science of Defence" by Joseph Swetnam, published in 1617 (page 26). - made with 120/2 linen thread - punto in aria. I drew the pattern on a piece of parchment Mistress Angharad made.

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   Laurel (from pattern I designed) - edged with bobbin lace - laurel done in 120/2 linen, bobbin lace in 90/2 linen (pattern from Neu Modelbuch)
     
 

figure of 16th century lady- punto in aria, made using 120/2 linen thread. Lady drawn and designed by me.

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Isabel's Laurel Handkerchief - reticella - pattern on sides from Singuliers (1589), laurel pattern my design. 120/2 linen thread

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Drea's Handkerchief - pattern on sides adapted from Vecellio's pattern book (1617 edition). 120/2 linen thread.
           
           
 
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