Historical information

This 47cm piece of embroidered lace is quite lavish being 13.5cm in width. The embroidered interlinked squares vie for attention with the rounded forms at the scalloped edge and oval and round holes all neatly embroidered in satin stitch. This would have been favoured as an edging to a petticoat or pantaloons and may have adorned bed linen and night gowns or even cuffs on a day dress. It has been made by machine. The hand embroidery machine was invented in France by Joshua Heilmann in 1832. Later on came the Schiffli machine which borrowed from the sewing machine and the Jacquard loom to fully automate its operation. Schiffli machines have developed over time and are still in use for embroidery on an industrial scale today.

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 embroidery (Lace Group Embroiderers Guild 1/3/12)
See photos (2) taken 30/12/11