The craft originated in Belgium and Wales in the 1800s, but its popularity has spread worldwide. That's easy to tell by the hundreds of members of the International Old Lacers organization, which holds national and regional conventions with classes taught by world-renowned lacers. Countless books, tapes and Internet Web sites coming out each year attest that the number of lacers worldwide is growing rather than shrinking. The East Tennessee Lace Guild was organized a decade ago by Gladys Davis and others. Now the 30-plus members share patterns, attend classes and conventions, make use of the guild library, which has an array of books, patterns and instructional videos for tatters and bobbin lacers alike.
Members are just as likely to share special skills.
Goan, for example, also does calligraphy and plays the dulcimer. Bowman cards her own wool for weaving and makes soap and candles. Other members knit, crochet, draw and paint detailed designs on the bobbins or shuttles. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved. Site users are subject to our User Agreement .