Bobbin-lace or pillow lace is an ancient handicraft that was known as early as in the beginning of the 15th century. It heyday in Europe was from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The importance of handmade lace started to decrease after the arrival of net-making machines. Nowadays, however, one can witness revival of the art of the bobbin-lace. As a representative of decorative arts, the multipurpose charter of bobbin-lace makes it possible to apply it in various fields of life.

The beginning of the 1990s witnessed a renewed interest in the bobbin-lace in connection with the revival of international contacts.

About the bobbin-lace technique. A lace pillow and bobbins are used. The thread is wound on the latter by pairs. The main methods of bobbin lacemaking are twisting and crossing of bobbin pairs, i.e. threads. A half stitch is a single twisting and crossing, a whole stitch includes a double twisting and crossing. Combinations of half stitches and whole stitches result in various pattern stitches, such as hole stitches, cloth stitches and diagonal half stitches. The most intricate stitches are made by two pairs of bobbins. That i show various lace elements can be made, e.g. ovals, rectangles, triangles, etc.

Lia Looga