International Lace Day

Openwork weaving has long been used to decorate clothes, bedspreads and bed linen, tablecloths, curtains and other interior details. According to one version, it owes its appearance to Italian craftswomen of the 15th century. Lace making is a traditional Russian folk craft and a form of decorative and applied art. To create patterns from threads, needlewomen used bobbins, tambourines, rollers, hooks and wooden match pins. Vyatka, Vologda, Yelets, Mikhailovskoe and Galician lace, despite the 500 years that have passed since the birth of the craft, still fascinates with its grace and beauty. The first collections with drawings of patterns were published in the middle of the 16th century. And the first portrait that has survived to this day, depicting the Dutch brewer Nicolaes Hasselaer in black clothes with a lace collar, dates back to 1627. At the end of the 18th century. During the industrial revolution, manual labor was replaced by machine production. After a while, craftswomen began to weave lace for their own pleasure, and not for sale. Despite this, the craft has not lost its attractiveness. Therefore, every year on the last Saturday of September, handicraft lovers celebrate International Lace Day. The work of craftswomen who engage in one of the artistic crafts requires perseverance, a creative approach to painstaking work and a sense of taste. Aesthetically perfect lace is not only pleasing to the eye. Openwork weaving on a wedding dress, nightgowns, on collars and sleeves of everyday wardrobe items gives elegance to clothes and helps create a unique style for its owner. Today, lace is actively used in interiors in the cottagecore aesthetic, associated with the popularization of life outside the city. The rustic chic style is reflected in the decor of the premises with openwork curtains and wall panels, lace blankets, napkins and tablecloths. The art of creating the finest patterns by hand without a woven base continues its history of development in the 21st century. International Lace Day is celebrated with the support of the World Organization of Bobbin and Needle Lace and other craft associations. Ceremonial events are held in Europe, Asia and America. In honor of the holiday, competitions, exhibitions, fairs and folk art festivals are held. Needlewomen conduct master classes and post photographs of their work on the Internet. On the last Saturday of September, everyone can try to understand the intricacies of lace and learn how to knit patterns, so that over time they can make it their hobby and devote all their free time to it.