Sunday, July 24, 2011

Encaje de Bolillos


One of the more shocking things (to me) about Madrid is that there are no spinning supplies. 
There are no husos (spindles), no lana rustica (spinning wool), and definitively no rueca de hilar (spinning wheels) to be found. In fact if you ask, you are graced with a look that suggest that you have three heads. It is shocking to me because spinning is enjoying a strong resurgence in North America, Northern Europe and the UK. Even though Spinning is one of humanities oldest crafts, the recent availability of hand dyed spinning wool, and the art yarns that some fiber artist are making, makes the craft seem new and modern. 

To the contrast encaje de bolillos or bobbin lace strikes me as very old fashioned. Even though it was thought to be created in the 16th century (way after spinning). Bobbin lace is not fading though, it seems to be popular here if you go by what the stores are selling.
In fact all of the pictures I took in the post were taken within 400 meters of each other.






Apparently bobbin lace used to be made out of fine metal threads for the gowns of royalty.

This is inspiring me with ideas. Bobbin lace out of wire, out of Habu textile's steel wool? That could be used for bracelets or necklaces? 

What about bobbin lace in modern colors? A touch of lime green lace at the top of your favorite eggplant colored camisole?

What about a bobbin lace edging done in white and then hand painted afterwards like this?

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