Ever since the Royal wedding last April, I have been on the hunt to try to find an example of Carrickmacross lace like the type that was created for the bodice of Kate Middleton's gown...
I had seen the YouTube demonstration of the lace technique but I was left hungry for more. I wanted to see a piece up-close and personal...to study it, to see how fine the stitches were, etc...
Having looked online the only pieces I could find were exorbitantly expensive. It turns out that antique pieces of the lace aren't readily available in the States since it's a technique that originated in Ireland in the 1820s.
Enter Marie Neuman from the Treasure Trove in Savage Mill, MD. Marie has been a vintage lace dealer for over 30 years. I called her over six months ago to see if she had anything I might study. Not at the time, she said...
But she called me last week, and look what she found...
It's a beautiful example of Carrickmacross lace...
An exquisite fragment circa 1860-1880 from a shawl she had purchased at Phillip's in London.
I am thrilled with the delicacy and quality of the sample. And it's evident that there was a cord that was couched down over muslin and appliqued to the net...the muslin is then cut away from around the applied shapes.
The back side of the piece reveals the tiny stitches that applied the cord through the muslin to the net.
I can't wait to play around with various applique techniques on net.
I have also been watching Sarah Burton's collections for Alexander McQueen since the wedding. She too has been playing around with the techniques she used on Kate's dress.
Applying lace motifs to background fabrics...(remember this was the technique used on the wedding gown skirt and what I tried to copy when I made the lace flowers on my Breakfast at Tiffany's piece)...
And I'm loving the idea of cut out velvet on net and fabric...
All food for inspirational thought on this beautiful Monday.
Happy Day everyone!
26 comments:
Very New Look, those pictures, too. That's encouraging - it's a style that suits a lot of women!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the pics that you chose to share with us. Such beautiful lace.
The lace is beautiful, and I enjoyed seeing what the designers are doing with it. I can't wait to see what you'll create with it.
Speaking of lace, have you seen the lace embellished fences in Philadelphia? Here is one in Orna's blog. I wish our schools and playgrounds were this elegant!
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/
Beautiful fashion, dresses, and lace.
Are you sure you create some beautiful work of art, I like to perform something beautiful, thank you,
Regards,)))
Fabulous post, thank you! I love your posts that feature couture and runway looks. So much inspiration. And it's nice to look forward to these scrumptious fabrics and proper tailoring making their way into the high street fashions soon!
Beautiful lace. Can't wait to see you give it a try yourself.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
So pretty and amazing to see up close in detail! Even better in person I'm sure!
That is really inspiring Susan. I'm so glad that you got your wish. And of course I love those McQueen gowns too!
That's a wonderful piece of lace, Susan! It will be fun to see how you use it. Like the dresses, too, but wonder how long it took for those hairdos? Can't quite imagine walking very far in the shoes either! Guess I'm getting old!
Mmmm...delish! Love your blog!
I must admit, lace has an incredible appeal. I can see why you wanted to see some up close and personal. Have you thought of emailing Jen Adin-Christie who worked on the dress - she just may have some hints to share.
Your attention to detail and research always amazes me. You are the consumate artist always striving for and then raising the barre. The lace is lovely as are the dresses you have shown. I know you can master this technique too. Happy stitching dear...
It is the photo of the velvet applique on the invisible netting over the models upper torso that just slams me. Thanks for the pictures, Susan!
Thank you! Indeed a food for inspiration!
It musts be my age -- the lace is lovely, but the hair, the shoes, the unhappy expressions of the models do not do it justice. I'm really turned off by how this designer has chosen to use the lace.
Lace.........can't get enough...I am breathless from excitement and interest....more please! Love the journeys you take us on.... Nydra
Vraiment magnifique ! Merci. Bisous et bonne soirée
My favourite is the 'Canadian' dress at the bottom. Well, it must be Canadian if it's covered with Maple leaves! Actually, my favourite is the one above it. I love the texture on the skirt. I have made lace - not Carrickmacross, but Bedfordshire.
Heather M.
Should that be a "wood filled" life at the moment? (the comment just above your comment box).
I have a sudden urge to put on one of my burnt out velvet shawls....lovely...can't wait to see what you do...
Sarah Burton's work is inspiring. Thankyou.Carrickmoss lace is the ultimate in couching - it has made me think wonder whether one might do it on a larger scale and use in an embroidery ...umm...
Sarah Burton's work is inspiring. Thankyou.Carrickmoss lace is the ultimate in couching - it has made me think wonder whether one might do it on a larger scale and use in an embroidery ...umm...
Goodness only knows how I sent one much less two messages when I hadn't finished. I look forward to seeing your delicate work - not much 'large scale' there
marg
oooo well done finding the lace you wanted ... gorgeous photos of different ways to use it on the dresses but mmmmmm not too sure about the buffoonish hair style on that one girl ...lol love mouse xxxxx
Loving the lace! Looking forward to your creations.
The instructor for my class at the Royal School of Needlework was one of the people who worked on Kate's lace. If it would be helpful to you, I could get you her contact info.
I live for your blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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