Filet Lace: Stitches and Patterns

Filet lace is one of the oldest forms of lacemaking. Its origins in ancient times seem to lie in the refinement of the plain netting used for fishing nets to create a fabric for making hairnets and dresses which could be embellished with embroidery in gold and silken threads. Filet lace has persisted through the centuries under a number of names, being embroidered in a wide variety of stitches and often displaying regional variations.

The recent resurgence of interest in filet lace has highlighted the need for a book that explains its techniques to beginners, although experienced lacemakers will also gain a great deal from Filet Lace: Stitches and Patterns. Section I explains, in ten detailed, step-by-step lessons with sampler projects to be worked, the basic stitches required, and their variations. Section II provides patterns and instructions for fourteen projects with modern filet lace designs, while Section III reproduces in modern form nine patterns from very old sources.