A first, quick glance might mistake this piece for a needle lace applique on net. Take a closer look: it is actually a very unusual, rarely seen technique where the pattern is a machine net appliqued on to a machine net background. The net pattern elements are attached with tambour or chain stitches, forming a slightly raised outline around the design. Applique on net techniques were particularly popular in the early to mid nineteenth century. The design of this piece is consistent with the mid nineteenth century. |
|
| Net applique is pulling away from the tambour (chain) stitches holding it in place, making it easy to see how the lace was made. The tiny dots on the net are tiny circles of chain stitches. |
|