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| ORIGINS AND HISTORY OF LACES |
| MY OWN DESIGNS |
| PICTURES OF LACE DAY EVENTS |
| It is forbidden without permission, to reproduce in any form the pictures and patterns displayed on the entire website. Copyright C. de la Guardia 2009 |
The history of lace in Catalonia seems to begin during the Sixteenth
(XVI) Century. Although bobbin lace was the most popular, a needlepoint
called "Point of Catalonia", similar to Reticella Italiana was very popular.
In the Seventeenth (XVII) and Eighteenth Centuries, metallic laces
worked with gold and silver threads were used to decorate ecclesiastical
articles and the Madonna's dresses. These laces were exported all over
Europe.
However, even the poorest parishes used the same techniques to make
lace using less costly threads (pitta).
During the Eighteenth Century lace making became an important
industry. It was organised so that designers supplied the patterns and
materials to lacemakers who worked the lace in their homes. The laces
used the different techniques of silk, blonde and Chantilly. Sometimes
these laces used both bobbin lace and needle lace altogether. They were
greatly influenced by the French laces. Later, these lace evolved to fine
linen laces named "Catalonian Blonda" or "Ret-fi",
From Catalonia, laces were exported to other parts of Spain, France and
North and South America
(XVI) Century. Although bobbin lace was the most popular, a needlepoint
called "Point of Catalonia", similar to Reticella Italiana was very popular.
In the Seventeenth (XVII) and Eighteenth Centuries, metallic laces
worked with gold and silver threads were used to decorate ecclesiastical
articles and the Madonna's dresses. These laces were exported all over
Europe.
However, even the poorest parishes used the same techniques to make
lace using less costly threads (pitta).
During the Eighteenth Century lace making became an important
industry. It was organised so that designers supplied the patterns and
materials to lacemakers who worked the lace in their homes. The laces
used the different techniques of silk, blonde and Chantilly. Sometimes
these laces used both bobbin lace and needle lace altogether. They were
greatly influenced by the French laces. Later, these lace evolved to fine
linen laces named "Catalonian Blonda" or "Ret-fi",
From Catalonia, laces were exported to other parts of Spain, France and
North and South America
| Laces in Catalonia |
Between second half of Sixteen Century and first of the Eighteen
Century, both men's and women's clothing were decorated with laces
(collars, cuffs, dress front), but by the Nineteenth Century lace was
worn only by women.
of lace. One of the more traditional items of clothing is the "Mantilla
española" (Spanish veil).
It can be shaped as a rectangular cloth or with a fish form, it can also be
triangular "pollitas". Laces were worked mainly in bobbinlace, especially
the blonda and the Chantilly (S. XVIII). Blonda used a soft silk to better
carry out the designs. Sometimes designs are worked to produce an
effect of lights and darks, sometimes are filled. Chantilly is worked with
only one twisted silk thread which is very fine and gives the appearance
of great fineness and transparency to the lace. These pieces were
decorated not only with floral motifs but also with landscapes and human
figures.
Outside Spain these "mantillas" were worn as shawls.
Today the "mantilla española" is worn in Andalucia and Castilla in
extraordinary opportunities, as are Holy Weeek Processions, weddings
and birthdays. You can see Her Majesty the Queen of Spain wearing it
on these occasions.
Century, both men's and women's clothing were decorated with laces
(collars, cuffs, dress front), but by the Nineteenth Century lace was
worn only by women.
of lace. One of the more traditional items of clothing is the "Mantilla
española" (Spanish veil).
It can be shaped as a rectangular cloth or with a fish form, it can also be
triangular "pollitas". Laces were worked mainly in bobbinlace, especially
the blonda and the Chantilly (S. XVIII). Blonda used a soft silk to better
carry out the designs. Sometimes designs are worked to produce an
effect of lights and darks, sometimes are filled. Chantilly is worked with
only one twisted silk thread which is very fine and gives the appearance
of great fineness and transparency to the lace. These pieces were
decorated not only with floral motifs but also with landscapes and human
figures.
Outside Spain these "mantillas" were worn as shawls.
Today the "mantilla española" is worn in Andalucia and Castilla in
extraordinary opportunities, as are Holy Weeek Processions, weddings
and birthdays. You can see Her Majesty the Queen of Spain wearing it
on these occasions.
| Laces in clothes |
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