Baffled by such terms as alb flounce, bullet-hole net, lappets, winkie pin, and spangles? Curious about the designs and origins of Chantilly, Egyptian, Hardanger, and dozens of other laces? If so, then this book is for you! It's a highly practical dictionary of lace containing over 400 entries that not only provide generally accepted definitions of such lace-related terms as reticella, honiton, guipure, Tuscan filet, duchesse, and inishmacsaint, but also discuss the many different opinions on the origin, nomenclature, dating, and development of the more controversial forms. In addition, the text contains brief sections on the once-flourishing trade in smuggled laces and equipment design, on fashion, foreign terms, and other topics.

Over 135 illustrations depicting intricate lace patterns include splendid images of Louis XIV and the ladies of his court garbed in lace-trimmed apparel, a magnificent lace collar worn by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, the lace wedding veil of Queen Victoria, a baby cap worn by Lord Nelson, a dress edged in lace for a young Russian princess, the bridal tulle worn by Diana, Princess of Wales; as well as sketches of lace stitches, magnifications of fiber elements, and much more.

The perfect sourcebook for any collector or lace-making enthusiast, this handy reference will also intrigue cultural and costume historians and is sure to be welcomed by needlecraft and fashion writers, and any lover of lace.