Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Lace Merchant

I've met another new bloggy friend and want to tell you about her!  When I was researching information about my vintage petticoat...



...up popped a Google result for Elizabeth Kurella.  Elizabeth is The Lace Merchant (her website), a published author of seven books, and an educator giving lectures and teaching classes on all things related to antique lace and linens.

Elizabeth is the real deal, a true connoisseur of antique linens!  Her personal collection includes pieces from Belgium, France, Italy, England, China, Russia, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, dating back to the 17th century.

(Elizabeth's photo ~ one of her antique baby bonnets.)

(Elizabeth's photo ~ she has lots of doilies and other household and decorating pieces like this on her website.)

I reached out to Elizabeth and she very kindly identified the petticoat crochet lace for me.

Her latest book, Anybody Can Mend Lace and Linens, is a treasure trove of very helpful, practical information.  Following her easy, well documented (with words and pictures), step-by-step instructions, I tried mending one of my doilies.

The before:



And the after:



Thank you, Elizabeth, for publishing this great book and for all of your help.  You are a sweet and kind friend!

6 comments:

Tami Von Zalez said...

I have actually mended an antique lace table runner. I didn't know what I got myself into at first - there were numerous holes. But once it was done - it was worth my effort.

thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Ha ha! I loved your photos... when I first saw the second one; my first thought was "THAT'S WHAT I'D DO...COVER IT WITH A BOOK!"

I can see where it needed mending. I've done some of this before. Probably not the right way-- but I don't let it deter me from my purchase, just because there is a hole.

glad you were able to make the repair!
going to check out her site. Pat

My Vintage Mending said...

Thank you for your unending information and sharing...smiles..Renee

Mimos da ClaralĂș! said...

Hello dear, how long!
I just came to leave a hug and say I miss.
Have a blessed weekend.
Luciana

Chicken Wrangler said...

Vintage clothing is a new passion for me - and I've seen so many lovely pieces of crochet work that have been damaged through the years, its nice to know that they can be repaired. You did a great job!

Anonymous said...

Very useful blog. Keep up the good work.