Bobbin laces-recreating Battenburg lace on the embroidery machine

Some of my earliest attempts of recreating laces on the embroidery machine were the Battenburg laces. Battenburg is considered a type of bobbin lace and at times referred to as tape lace. Modern day Battenburg laces are created by using tapes which are attached together by threads (hence the referral to bobbin lace). Retiring my original Battenburg lace collection, I had plans to recreating it in the proper manner in the future. Well, its six years later and I’m still not sure whether I have achieved the proper technique!

Battenburg laces nowadays are created by shaping a bias tape with threads in such a manner as to create an open worked lace panel, border, fabric, etc.  The center of the motif created with the tape and thread has an entredeux type effect. The laces were extremely popular in the early 1900’s as they created the lace effect much faster than creating the laces by hand. Bobbin laces are nothing but thread overlapping one another to create the lace effect and do take a bit of time. Battenburg laces filled the over demand of laces, even though they were a bit crude as compared to bobbin laces.

Taking out my sketches for the vintage battenburg shapes, I found myself faced with the dilemna regarding the width of the center entredeux. Should I keep it at a minimal or have it pronounced? The idea is to recreate the Battenburg lace so it would mimic hand made laces, so the question is really answered for me….yet… I do think I’m my own worst enemy!

Using cotton serger thread, I stitched out one panel to check gauge and the shrinkage upon washing out the water soluble stabilizer, only to find that the cotton thread shrank far more than I had anticipated, leaving the tiny center entredeux into gaping holes. So, its back to the work table and even though I like the look of the open areas in the motifs, I can’t justify it as Battenburg lace. 

The designs in the first collection of Battenburg lace are very simple and lend themselves to a variety of uses. But, before I can even send the designs out to be tested, I have to find the perfect look. You be the Judge and advice….I’m open to all suggestions and ideas. Should the entredeux be almost non-existant or should I stay with what I’ve created?