Set of 4: 22c Lacemaking

Front:
Lace KNUŞA 22 14 1987 48191 Lacemaking USA 22 14 1987 48191 TATAT Lace STANA 22 Lacemaking SA 22 14 1987 48191 Lacegnaking USA 22 14 1987 48191

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THE HISTORY OF LACEMAKING First Day of Issue: August 14, 1987 First Issue Location: Ypsilant, Michigan The delicate art of lacemaking can trace its origins to late fifteenth century Italy and Flanders. Used as a de- corative touch to apparel, lacemaking evolved from needlepoint work such as the the Italian reticella (little net) cut work. A type of embroidery, lacemaking is not made from woven textiles, but rather from patterns worked in buttonhole stitches also known as punto in aria (stitch in the air). Lacemaking flourished in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with several Euro- pean nations developing one or more characteristic styles. Point de France, for example, was a low relief needle lace highlighted by decorative motifs balanced on a background of hexagonal mesh. In the periods of its greatest use and popularity — as in the reign of French King Louis XIV — lacemaking was considered a form of high art and patterns were drawn by official court pain- ters. As the “New World" became settled, Europeans — particularly the English and Spanish — brought lacemak- ing to America. No. 87-76 ©1987 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Tom Bjarnason. THE ART OF LACEMAKING First Day of Issue: August 14, 1987 First Issue Location: Ypsilant, Michigan Skilled hands and nimble fingers are needed to produce fine lace. Traditional linen lacemaking begins with a ground mat, called the réseau, which holds the pattern, also called the toilé, together. Most lace is made with linen thread, cotton, silk, silver or gold. There are two traditional types of lace: bobbin and needle point. Bob- bin lace is sometimes called “pillow lace,” because the design is drawn on a pillow; then, the lacemaker sticks small pegs into the pillow and works small bobbins of threads around the pegs to produce the lace. As the lacework is finished, the pegs are removed. Needle point lacemaking uses a brides — a mesh net or groundwork of connected threads. The lacemaker draws the design on parchment and stitches it to a linen backing. Lace is then made by filling in the pattern with buttonhole stitches. Lacemaking has been a cottage industry in Europe for centuries. And, with the settlement of the New World by various nations, individual national and regional styles and patterns were brought to America. No. 87-77 1987 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Tom Bjarnason. MODERN LACEMAKING First Day of Issue: August 14, 1987 First Issue Location: Ypsilant, Michigan Lacemaking reached its highest artistic achievements during the Renaissance. Then, it was a mark of prosper- ity, and it was even glorified in art by such painters as Raphael, Frans Hals and Velazquez. Female master lacemakers were in great demand by the courts of Europe, even until the eighteenth century. At that time, the English developed a successful lace machine, and by 1780, the French began using lace net machines as well. In 1809, Englishman John Heathcoat patented the first “bobbin net" machine, which John Leavers improved in 1813. Leavers machine became the basis for all lace machines used today. Although such machines can ac- curately copy almost every kind of lace made by hand, machine-made lace has a flat, dull appearance, can ravel, and has more irregularities in patterns. Fortunately, America is still the home of many master lacemakers whose nimble hands and exquisite design has led a resurgence in this folk art. No. 87-78 1987 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Tom Bjarnason. LACEMAKING DESIGNS First Day of Issue: August 14, 1987 First Issue Location: Ypsilant, Michigan Lace derives its beauty not only from its delicate, painstaking handwork, but also from the myriad designs which take shape under the skillful hands of the lacemaker. In a piece of lace, the main elements of a design generally include flower or leaf motifs, but some- times include human figures, animals, urns, and col- umns. These are composed of numerous threads stitched together and often outlined by a cordonnet – a little cord of several threads whipped or buttonholed together. Ornamental devices known as modes, or fillings, may be used between the main elements of the pattern to replace the fond, or mesh netting. Designs generally followed contemporary fashions in needle point. Numer- ous pattern books for various types of openwork fabrics were published in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century — the first being those of M. Pagano (c.1542). Today, American lacemakers have adapted a variety of styles and techniques in their lacemaking. No. 87-79 ©1987 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Tom Bjarnason.