Britex, the fabulous fabric and trim store in San Francisco is showing lace trim. This could be helpful for identifying names of types of lace, something we all struggle with sometimes. Happy looking. https://www.britexfabrics.com/trim/lace-trims.html?mc_cid=02af20c090&mc_eid=2eebe0e9d9 Marian
Except the crochet lace they show, isn't crochet. Crochet is a single thread lace. The main picture showing is a multi thread lace, some kind of machine-made bobbin lace I think. As are many of the laces shown in the crochet section, such as this one. I guess it has a similar vibe to crochet lace, but a totally different construction. True crochet lace can't be machine-made afaik, and so isn't in mass production. I think it's become common though to refer to these machine-made, but somehow slightly 'homespun' looking laces, as crochet lace. Completely inaccurate though. The geometric squares Italian made lace, is perhaps made in imitation of filet crochet. But it's not filet crochet in construction. And I think this one is some kind of chemical lace, the threads machine-embroidered on to a fabric which is then dissolved chemically
I'm so glad to have you both respond. I wondered, too, about their designation of "crochet lace." No wonder we get so confused. Would it be better to say: "crochet trim or crochet edging? Marian
None of them are crochet in any shape or form. I'm not sure what you should call it, especially given it seems to be commonly used in this inaccurate way. Perhaps faux crochet lace? I see they've used that for some of the laces. The first one I'd call machine made bobbin lace. At least I think that is correct.
Yes, in my view, if crochet is not the technique used to make it, it should not be called corchet in anyway, except maybe faux crochet.
This is a good lace site, it's focused on handmade lace but shows comparison with machine made lace. https://www.lynxlace.com/compare.html
This discussion sent me back to a reference I have found useful: Legacy of Lace, Identifying, Collecting, and Preserving American Lace, Kathleen Warnick and Shirley Nilsson, Crown Publishers, Inc. New York The index lists pages and pages of references to crochet. I will report back if I find anything helpful. Marian
