Lace embodies elegance and tradition in exquisite detail, and Legacy of Lace heralds a resurgence of interest in the gentle art of lacemaking. The many hours of exacting work with needle or hook needed to produce lacy embellishments testifies to the importance of this gentle art in fashion and in the home.
In Legacy of Lace, lace is organized systematically so beginner and expert alike can recognize the common variations, from crochet to tatting, from Hardanger to bobbin lace. More than three hundred photographs have been chosen by textile experts Kathleen Warnick and Shirley Nilsson to aid in identifying lace. The characteristics, history, and uses of each kind of lace are carefully and fully explained by the authors.
From dainty tatted edgings to exquisite ensembles that are the epitome of elegance, lacework is unsurpassed in beauty: carefully folded and pinned, lace adds a gentle touch to any outfit; a shawl of lace is a warm finish to a traditional look; and even bits and pieces of lace carefully arranged can turn a photo album into a frilly treasured keepsake.
Lace is gaining a new generation of collectors and admirers as heirloom lace is discovered in Grandmother’s attic, at flea markets, in antiques stores, and at auctions. It is not surprising that lace has also attracted the attention of designers and professional collectors.
Lace collecting is rewarding, affordable, and exciting. The authors offer many suggestions for collecting, preserving, using, and displaying lace in new and old ways.
Lace has a special enchantment today. Legacy of Lace will delight everyone who has ever owned a lacy treasure.
About the authors
Kathleen Warnick pursues her enthusiastic interest in the history and techniques of lacemaking by browsing antiques stores, teaching classes, and creating personal lace projects. A resident of Moscow, Idaho, she holds degrees from the University of Idaho and the University of Wisconsin, and is a member of the International Old Lacers, Inc.
Shirley Nilsson, a fabric artist with a master’s degree in textile arts from the University of Wisconsin, has worked as an interior designer, home furnishings extension specialist, and university instructor. She designed the 1987 National Quilt Show award-winning Palouse Hills quilt.
(186 pages)