How to make bobbin lace

Bobbin lace is considered an artisan and traditional form of lace making. It is an art that never goes out of style and continues to grow year after year..Whether you practice or not It’s curious and instructive to see how it works. And it is a technique that is passed down from mother to daughter, which if properly preserved, is a confirmation that this type of lace will continue in time and will not escape use.

The best thing is that in many cities in Spain, such as Almagro, Catalonia or Camariñas, shuttle meetings are held where you can see the work of lace makers. And you can also buy their artwork. Below is all the information you need to know good bobbin embroidery techniques:

What is bobbin lace?

It is an embroidery technique. It consists of threads strung together into a bobbin to better hold the thread.As the work progresses, the cloth is held in place with pins set into a plate, also known as a mandillo, which is a pattern of holes, usually made of cardboard, also known as a picado, which is What are the design guidelines? There will be lace.

The history of bobbin lace

It was between 1500 and 1700 when many different types of lace were invented, although It didn’t take long for automatic embroidery machines to be available. When in 1806 John Heathcoat designed it

Bobbin lace is a type of traditional artisan lace.

This device acts as Motivation for craftsmen This is so that they can develop more complex designs that machines cannot do so that jobs are not lost and these devices are not replaced. However, this is of little use because Mechanization has caused many workers to lose their jobs.

Currently, this work is making lace. It has become popular again and is considered a hobby.. It also serves to bring together people who like lace to meet and work together while chatting and chatting, which is good for socialization.

Between 1500 and 1700, many different types of lace were created.

In countries such as England, Belgium, Spain and France, places where this industry was once very important. There are also many lace makers who display their art and sell their wares.Although it is true that sales are not as good as before. It used to be that the wealthiest nobles were the ones who bought the majority of these products. And now it is curious tourists who buy these things.

popular style lace

As we all know that there are many styles of lace. most famous or famous Everywhere is:

• Torch style: Its fame comes from its beautiful meshes, which often have geometric shapes.
• Honiton style: A very delicate variety from England with many flowers.
• Cluny style: It is a very delicate lace because it is lightweight. It has braids, flowers and lace, which is a very small thread bow.
• Bedfordshire: This type of fabric is designed with lines drawn in waves and lace. This makes it difficult to copy with machines.
• Buckinghamshire Bucks Point: It is a very tangled lace because of its characteristic hexagonal structure and often has a lame ball, that is. Thicker threads are intertwined for more emphasis..

Composition of bobbin lace

The basic elements and materials for making lace are:

• Pad: It is the most important element because it is where we will work. We can place this part on a stand or specialized support device for this job. This is the best option because it is much easier to work with. We can lean it against the wall. or on the table
• Bolillo: It is a wooden musical instrument that we will use to make our own lace. The thread is wound at the top where it is thinnest. Two bobbins that act as a pair are required.
• Bobbin separator: They will be your great and familiar allies. Separate the bobbin bushes. that disturbs work time Don’t worry about size as there are many to choose from.
• pin: The best ones are those with glass heads because they are better for tips and for work with more rounded edges. Ordinary pins will be used for the rest of the work.
• line: A piece of thread, usually short, that is threaded onto a needle for sewing or embroidery.
• Thimble: It is a sewing tool used to push the needle when sewing. It’s a small cup that you put in one hand. Usually located on the ring finger or heart. and is used to exert pressure on the needle in the sewing process.
• drawing: This is the pattern that we will follow the thread until it becomes lace in the end.
• bag: Also known as small canvas bag Where the lace sewist stores the bobbin.
• sawdust cushion: A container used to hold pegs close at hand.
• thread: For bobbin embroidery thread You can use thin or thick thread, white, black, or any other color, although it’s usually white. In the past, This technique is performed on other materials. such as silk, linen or wool, until cotton is no longer used. However, there is still the option of using precious metal thread, cord and other fibers. Although it can be used with a wide variety of synthetic fibers.

The fabric is held in place with pins attached to the backing.

In addition to all this You will need a pick tool, a deer, a needle handler, pins… And although this task may seem like there are many tools, But it is worth having all this material in order to achieve a professional level of work that is worthy of admiration.

Finally, among the designs that can be done There are knitted fabrics, lace fabrics, plaid fabrics, stuffed fabrics, or mesh fabrics.However, not all shuttles include these elements.

Type of bobbin

As we have already said The bobbin is an important part of making bobbin lace. And there is a lot of variety. First of all, it would be Bolillo CatalanThis is a type of bolillo that has been known for centuries and can be found without any problems in specialized stores. The best is the rope..

There are many types of bobbins for making lace.

On the other hand, there is also Bolillo Galiciawhich is different from Catalan In this case, it is thicker than the previous one and one centimeter shorter. The best Galician bolillos are also made from boxwood.

in the end, You can buy handmade bobbins made from a variety of woods, such as oak, sapelli, walnut or mobila.Each type of wood also has many types and models. All that remains is to work and do a great job.

Almagro, the city of unique bobbin lace

Bobbin lace represents an extraordinary testament to the survival of popular arts and crafts.It gives rise to representatives of traditions that remain in their original context. Although they come from European lands that differ in traditions and language. But these delicate and elegant specimens They are part of the way of being from La Mancha..

With this technique You can create things like tablecloths or cushions.

For this reason, bobbin lace is one of the traditional handicrafts of Almagro, a city in Ciudad Real that has been declared an artistic archaeological site with many charms and history. Including the highlights as well. Introduced in the 16th century with the influence of fúcares..

By 1766 production was being carried out in a regular and orderly manner. Thanks to businessman Manuel Fernández and his wife. where more than 140 women work for them During this time Almagro lace has become one of the best known laces in Spain and one of the best in the world. and direct part of the production for export to foreign countries

For this reason, bobbin lace is abundant in the municipality of La Mancha. As soon as you enter the city of Almagro There will be a roundabout with a statue of a woman making lace. which is the symbol of the city Also in the mayor’s plaza In the city you will find several shops where you can delve into this unusual tradition. And where you will enjoy all kinds of items made in this technique: tablecloths, cushions, umbrellas, necklaces, bracelets, blankets, curtains… You will definitely not be able to avoid the temptation to take souvenirs home.

Bobbin lace is a testament to the survival of the popular arts and crafts.

Even though it’s true This manual activity falls into oblivion. and no longer available, Almagro still strives to preserve and promote that tradition throughout the year by celebrating the Lace Course. National meeting of lace producers and with activities and exhibitions at the Almagro Lace and Blonde Museum, also on June 14th every year. Lace Day is celebrated..

Anyway, it’s bobbin lace. It is an additional income for the family economy.It is estimated that there were more than 9,000 women working with lace in Almagro and the surrounding area.