Can It Lace?
Lacemaking may be an old craft, but it's being reinvented everyday. Solstiss continues to develop new and innovative techniques, such as lace with silicone, metallic threads, vinyl, latex, leather, flocked; embellished with beads, sequins, feathers, and paint. Look at some of these available examples!
Lace Lesson: Lace in History Part 2
To the Revolution!
The textile industry was one of the first to transform during the Industrial Revolution (1760–1870), becoming completely mechanized by 1830. Starting in Lyon, France with the Jacquard system (1801) then in England with the bobbinet loom (1804), John Leavers perfected his Leavers loom in 1834, establishing Leavers lace.
The Leavers loom combines Bobbinet tulle loom technology with the Jacquard system, and some of these looms from the Industrial Revolution are still used today. Although much of the craft of lace creation has been mechanized, the expertise is still passed down from generation to generation, including both machine and hand techniques.
Solstiss operates more than 100 Leavers looms, representing about 40% of the looms in the world.
Lace Lesson: Alençon, The Queen of Lace
Alençon lace, or point d’Alençon, is a needle lace from Alençon, France, about 100 miles west of Paris. From the end of the 17th century, it is characterized by predominant floral patterns (often rose), gimp threads added to the ground net for more opacity, and lack of transparency. At the Universal Exhibition in London in 1851, it was named the "Queen of Lace". Most recently, UNESCO recognized the unusual craftsmanship of this lace and added it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Lace Lesson: Lace in History Part 1
Handmade lace dates back to the 15th century, with lace makers using bobbins or needles with linen, silk, gold, and silver yarns. It was rare and expensive due to its intensive labor to make, and was considered so valuable that it was also a form of currency. Lace manufacturing was eventually transformed during the Industry Revolution, as were other industries. Stay tuned!
Above: The Lace Maker (1662) by Caspar Netscher and Portrait of Jacob Olycan (1625) by Frans Hals.
Lace Lesson: Chantilly
Chantilly is a beautiful and very light lace named after the Chateau de Chantilly, about 30 miles north of Paris. This highly popular lace is made distinctive by its fineness, transparency, and outlined patterns. Originating in the early 17th century, it is now the most well-known type of lace, notably with delicate floral patterns, but geometric and abstract patterns are also available.
SOLSTISS BOUTIQUE TO OPEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH D.P. TEXTILE
Solstiss USA is very pleased to announce the opening of SOLSTISS BOUTIQUE in Los Angeles, in partnership with D.P. Textile. For the first time in the U.S., Solstiss will offer an incredible inventory, featuring more than 130 designs in more than 40 colors, totaling 700 yards. These laces will be available for purchase exclusively via the newly created SOLSTISS BOUTIQUE at D.P. Textile, located at the California Market Center (CMC) in the heart of the garment center of Los Angeles. “We are excited to be able to offer to the Californian fashion brands, an amazing choice of the best lace France has to offer, right here in the heart of L.A. Fashion Center. This opportunity will help our customers to...