Romanian Point Lace Trends
When you think about an antique lace making technique like Crochet, Irish Lace, Battenburg, etc…. it is very important to not only keep the craft going and to pass it on. It is crucial to evolve and update it, including different techniques, threads, colours, volume , shape and sizes as well as purpose and function of the lace.
Irish Crochet has deep roots in using fine hooks and ecru, beige, white and cream threads but a lot has change from its humble beginning. Colours popped in, different thread types and hook sizes changed. Beads have been introduce as well as transforming shapes. The traditional Irish lace is still very popular and strong but modern Irish lace is catching up more and more….
If you want to know more about traditional Irish Crochet lace , find out more here from Larisa Chilton an amazing Irish Crochet teacher and maker. She will be able to help you out, guide you and teach you.
When it comes to Romanian Point Lace its a bit different. The traditional Romanian Point Lace is very stubborn, or at least most Romanian Point Lace makers. From personal experience I have seen that they can’t seem to understand that this lace as beautiful as it is needs not only to breath and extend it needs to be seen and it will not be seen if we do not change our minds on the subject. We as lace makers need to be open minded to introducing colours… and it finally happens a bit, – ( Fabulous to see HURRA!) but most Romanian Point Lace makers still produce the same pattern in the shape design and pattern again and again and placing it in the same spot- the furniture! Well this is not enough anymore!
In the image above you can see how traditional Romanian Point Lace is used. This is a traditional design in colour, shape, size, function. Now you can do way more with this…. Smaller pieces like the image below, can be used as funky place mats.
Now the next step how RPL got its transformation, was when dye was introduced. Like in this image below. Natural dye like here – Turmeric
After natural dye, even though it was not proper! Coloured thread was introduced by the early 2000.
I am trying to introduce into this tight world of Romanian Point Lace a new way of lace making that can maybe open the way for a new generation of lace makers. This new generation might be interested in Romanian Point Lace in a traditional and new way. It is important that we keep ancient craft alive but we need to make it attractive to younger people today. They will not look twice if the lace is a doily… sadly this is the truth and not many can face it.
So this is what I am rooting for… make lace , keep an ancient craft like Romanian Point Lace alive BUT wearable, make it fashionable. And yes, I am aware that might not be every bodies cup of tea, but c’est la vie!
I am introducing colours, 3D , volume, and make it wearable. Put it to a good use and take your lace for a walk.
Not only that the pieces are wearable, they are large, bold and make a statement, so is the idea behind Romanian Point Lace making a statement.
Please let me know how you feel about!
Where do you see the trends going when it comes to Romanian Point Lace?
XO,
Lorena
