Historical information

This piece is a style of machine embroidered lace which can be found in haberdashery stores today. It is known as Broderie Anglaise Cambric Eyelet lace. It was made to be sewn either into or on fabric, and the sweet daisy design and ribbon insertion points would have been highly desirable for a child's or baby's dress, or for delicate undergarments. Broderie anglaise was extremely popular in England between 1840 and 1880 for children’s clothing and women’s undergarments. There was a resurgence of popularity in the 1950s. Beginning in the 1870s it was made using the Swiss hand embroidery machine.

Significance

The Amess family owned Churchill Island from 1872 to 1929. This lace collection was owned and contributed to by four generations of Amess women.

Physical description

Machine embroidered (Lace Group Embroiderers Guild 1/3/12)
See photos (2)