Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Bobbinet

Bobbinet is a machine-made net made of cotton or silk with a hexagonal mesh.

It's the very same net ground used to make the Chantilly bobbin lace that I'm using in my Breakfast at Tiffany's block.

I happen to have some cotton bobbinet in my stash, so when I went looking for appropriate fabrics to make my stumpwork petals from...I thought I would use the bobbinet, hoping to complement the background netting of the Chantilly lace.


Bobbinet has a much softer drape than tulle and has a tendency to dampen light...that's why photographers and movie stylists use panels of it to soften lighting in their images.

It has been used in many applications as grounds for various types of lace, embroidery, and ribbonwork. Here's a gorgeous example of skirt made from bobbinet on this gorgeous vintage Lanvin gown...


It was also used in the corset underpinnings in the Balmain bodice I photographed in this post.


The picture below shows the bobbinet (top left), compared to my original piece of Chantilly lace (bottom center), and to the silk tulle (top right).


Originally, I was a bit bummed that the holes of my bobbinet were so much larger than the bobbinet ground in my Chantilly piece.

Now, I've gotten over that and I think that perhaps a mixture of silk tulle and the cotton bobbinet, both fused over silk organza...might give me some variability and might even be better. I'm not sure I'll know that until I make a few petals using varying combinations of tulle and/or bobbinet and organza.

Now I'm off to find some Mistyfuse. Due to the delicacy of the lace, I think Mistyfuse is a better option versus Heat n Bond lite...I think it will "disappear" better amongst the lace net, will not be as stiff, and may be easier to sew through when I embroider the wire.


I did find size 33 wire to use for my petal outlines -- the smallest I could find. (I use Japanese paper-coated floral wire like the kind you can find here.) Size 33 is just a tad bit bigger than the original lace cordonet so it should be delicate enough.

And I've decided to use real gemstones in the flowers...because it is a Tiffany's piece...


And lastly, I need to hunt down some matte cream-colored tiny beads in the same color as this piece of coral...and some teeny tiny stamens with silver and/or pearl tips. The tricky part for both items is the teeny-tiny requirement.

See you next time!

15 comments:

Cathy said...

We learn something every day, don’t we? I never knew what bobbinet was! Thanks for the lesson and comparison, and excuse me while I mop up my drool... I love that you’re using only top-notch, classy and TINY materials in your block. The materials are lovely even before added to your block! Now, I will go off to hunt through my stash to see if I have anything tiny that you might be able to use.... Hugs, Cathy

Gerry Krueger said...

I absolutely adore all the obsessive attention to detail, detail and more detail.. That's why I am sooooooooooooo slow getting anything done... BTW my beautiful lace bedroom curtains will be glad when this project is done as they know I am eyeing them every morning with thoughts of ripping them down and cutting them to pieces.... Ger

Mosaic Magpie said...

I am like Cathy learning something every day! The coral has a hint of a soft pink tint to it. Very pretty. Are the gems aquamarine?
Deb

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Gerry said "Obsessive Attention To Detail".

All the while I was reading, looking and comparing, my mind was swirling for a description of this absolutely mesmerizing post. Gerry nailed it.

Oh, we have seen you work this way before, but I don't remember you going into such detail about the minute details.

I love to watch you work!!
xx, Carol

MeganH said...

Jane of Chilly Hollow was discussing tulle and organza recently. (was to do with changing the background colour of a canvas - the light colour was 'taking over' the elements of the piece.

She said she was going to write a piece on how to attach it next.

There might be something useful for you there? She also mentions some tulle shops, tho I don't know if they are on-line or not....I know you already have yours, but since you are playing with it, it's always fun to look at the alternatives.

Silk tulle! Cool!

MeganH said...

Thanks for the link to the floral wire shop - I had to use two wires on my butterfly back wing coz I only have one size of wire - pretty thin. (no idea of the gauge)

Hey, I'm going to pop across to Stitchin Fingers/Stumpwork and see if anyone knows of a picture showing gauge for florist's wire on the Net....

Vicky aka Stichr said...

I am just gaster flabbed over this! Attention to detail is not lacking in your genes!

Elizabeth said...

Have you checked out Cartwrights in Arkansas for tiny tiny little stamens??? Just a thought, that I am sure you have already checked in to!!! You blow my mind!!!! I just love all that I learn from you!!!!

Suztats said...

I love all the details, and trying to picture the results, which always pale against yours! I enjoy your postings as there's so much to learn. Thank you.

Sandies' Patch said...

Fascinating post, it's true, you learn something new every day!
I have some extremely tiny beads (thank goodness they are threaded!)I don't think I'll ever use unless I glue them onto something, you are welcome to them if you want them.

Sandie xx

Judy S. said...

Bobbinet~who'd have thought it relates to lace and not teeny tiny bobbins? Interesting post, Susan. And that coral color will add a nice touch to the acqua. I love the way you work!

The French Bear said...

I was just trying to figure out what kind of fabric that was and then I saw your post! I need to find some here and I was at a loss at what to ask for, hw wonderful that I found you! This is just what I need for my dolls dresses.
Thanks!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Maureen said...

As much as I love lace, I never bothered to learn much about it. I'm following along even though I don't comment much.

Ingrid Mida said...

The suspense is really building....

Rachel said...

Thank you for some fascinating pictures - love the Lanvin!

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