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Searching for Antique and Vintage Lace Bobbins, Needles, Linen Thread, Sewing Chests, Sewing Machines, Pattern Books, Seamstress Tools, and Sewing Ephemera is probably the most intellectually stimulating and historic part of reseaching Antique Lace, Clothing, and Textiles. In my collection, some tools are nearly 200 years old and have been passed down from generation to generation. They have been well cared for and are, usually, made from the finest metals, bone, and wood. Each and every tool holds the history of a wonderful, usually female, artist in the cottage industry art of lace-making and seamstress work.

A Cloth Pattern for Battenburg Tape Lace, in the process of being made, with a Victorian Bone tool (above).

Classic Victorian Hook and Eye Steel Fasteners most often used by seamstresses of the time; brass or stainless steel composition (below).

Also, new to the Museum, that will be newly exhibited on April 15, 2017, is a rare and extraordinary set of six (6) LACE MAKING PILLOWS I recently purchased in London, UK!!  

Three Bobbin Lace Pillows, early 20th century, applied with 82 plain bone bobbins, with attached panel of Torchon Lace; another with 14 bobbins and panel of Tapelace; the third with approx 30 bobbins with note,”belonged to Mrs Beach of Buxted, aged 101 whose unfinished work is still on the pillow;” together with a quantity of threads, prickings and box on bobbin lace. Another three (3) Bobbin Lace Pillows, early 20th century, will be displayed with a quantity of mainly plain turned Bone and Wood Bobbins, Prickings and Threads (below).

Antique Sewing Needles, Pins, Hooks & Eyes, were made of the finest steel and brass (often with glass heads) available at the time. They were strong, rust-resistent, and meant to last for many generations. The Parabola Millinery Needles are one of my favorite English-made needles (above).

The Lace Museum displays sewing machines, between years 1850 and 1950, such as this Willcox and Gibbs - a Hand-Crank and Bobbin-less Chain Stitch Machine. James Edward Allen Gibbs, patented the first practical and workable chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine on June 2, 1857. To this day, over 150 years old and this machine still works! (above). 

   Cloth (Chintz) Battenburg Scarf Pattern, Edwardian Era (right).

Belgian - Battenburg Tape Lace Collar/Bertha made on a Cloth (Chintz) Pattern, probably circa 1890-1900 (left).

The Lace Museum Detroit is a mere 1000 square feet, but with tall ceilings and ongoing organization, as well as the nature of rotating exhibits, it is a sufficient space to carefully exhibit many pieces of Antique Lace, Linen, and Antique Clothing.

A Pine Flax Break, dated 1870, is one of the tools of Flax Processing. Later, after the Spinning stage is complete, the term flax linen is used, which eventually become Linen Thread (above)

Cantù Lace, similar to this fabulous framed piece below, is a Bobbin Lace that may have originated in Northern Italy.....It is often rich with scrolls and tendrils in the background. This piece offers an opulent and bold male figure - perhaps a Conquistador or Nobleman. The thread used is a relatively heavy oatmeal-hued Linen, circa 1900 (perhaps earlier) (below).

                                                                       The Museum holds rotating exhibits of Victorian and Edwardian Clothing.

Irish Linen, and Linen Thread is considered some of the very finest Linen in the world due, in large part, to the cool climate of Ireland that allows the finest Flax production. In the Victorian Era, Barbour's Thread was some of  the most well-know. (below).

Italian Lace artists in Florence produced the most exquisite an

 varied lace in the world. Not only did The Florence Lace 

Manufactory create Italian Lace, but French and English Lace

as well. (below).

English Lace-making Cookie-shape Pillow stuffed with Horse Hair in the process of designing Needle Lace Floral Medallions or Motifs, circa 1890 (above).

The Museum has available for purchase Antique/Vintage Clothing.

The Lace Museum, Detroit exhibits magnificent Victorian and Edwardian Era Table Linens, some of which are for sale.

The Lace Museum Detroit also has on exhibit a few very early sewing machines, such as this beautiful Willcox and Gibbs chainstitch sewing machine, circa 1890.

PHOTO GALLERY IN SEARCH OF LACE (below)

Mother and Daughter Mary and Elyse Salmon and colleagues Judy and Nancy traveling throughout Europe....IN SEARCH OF LACE....

Mother and Daughter, Mary and Elyse Salmon, and Judy Cogan.....American Women....IN SEARCH OF LACE

We traveled France, Holland, and precious Belgium this year 2018......watch for our upcoming articles in preparation for our book on the history and adventures IN SEARCH OF LACE 

PHOTO GALLERY IN SEARCH OF LACE (below)

Mother and Daughter Mary and Elyse Salmon and colleagues Judy and Nancy traveling throughout Europe....IN SEARCH OF LACE....

Paris, France; Brussels and Brugges, Belgium; Cantu and Milan, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Amsterdam...... 

(Calligraphy kindly provided by Belgian artist Calligrapher Yves Leterme, a professional calligrapher and lettering artist, ​living near the fair city of Bruges, Belgium).

The Lace Museum, Detroit: Proud Member of The International Organization of Lace, Inc., Great Lakes Lace Group Inc. and Kantcentrum Brugges, Belgium.

www.thelacemuseumllc.com        Curator: Mary Gen Salmon PH. 937. 681.7219  

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