Materials:

In period, lacemakers most likely drew their patterns on parchment and then embroidered the lace by couching the fabric and/or the threads to the parchment and then embroidered over the threads (but not over or through the parchment). Today, if we are using a period pattern, we can copy it (enlarging or reducing as needed), back it with 2 pieces of printer paper and cover the front of the pattern with scotch tape so the ink doesn't rub off onto the lace. I cover the pattern with vertical and horizontal overlapping strips of scotch tape. I usually use handkerchief linen if I am doing reticella and 80/2, 90/2 or 120/2 linen thread for my embroidery. I use a pair of scissors with a fine point and a millinery needle for the embroidery.