New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1896-02-12
MINNESOTA LACE MAKERS,
Arrangements Made for Encouraging the
Industry in the New Ulm
Bohemian Colony.

Minneapolis Journal of Friday: An
intel citing feature of Mrs. Vroomans
opening of summer fabrics today was
the lacemaker, who came down from
the colony of lacemaking Bohemians at
New Ulm to show to those who were ex-
amining the goods just how they are
produced The colony is a very inter-
esting one, and through the recognition
secured by the introduction of the prod
uct into a large, fashionable shop here,
the industry should be greatly aided. The
art of lacemaking was brought to New
Ulm by immigrants good many years
ago, but it has not extended greatly, ow-
ing to the lack of fitness in the workers
to push the business interests. Most of
the work was not fine, for there was so
little market that there was no demand
for that kind of work. The lace has in
the past been sold or exchanged in the
locality for a very small price on account
of the poverty andignorance of the MAX
ers. Considerable Improvement in the
conditions of the industry have been
made since Mrs. A. Setter, wife of a
prominent business man of New Ulm,
interested herself in the work as matter
of philanthropy. She brought it to the
attention o. Mrs. L. P. Hunt, of NJ ankato,
when the worlds fair exhibit was being
gathered, and good exhibition was
made there. She has also worked to
find an outside market for the goods,
and in this has now succeeded. Re-
Gently Mrs. Vrooman made a trip to New
Ulm and visited the lacemakers in COMP
any with Mrs. Setter for the purpose of
seeing the conditions and suggesting i'm
provements. Patterns had previously been
sent down, and some of the best of the
lacemakers proved quite adept at pick
ing them out, although entirely new.
Very little is required for the work of
laccmaking, as it is entirely handwork,
and for this reason it is carried on right
in the humble homes ofthe people. The
work is done almost entirely by women
although one of the most skillful work.
ers is a man, who does it during the long,
dull winter, when farm work is very slack.
One of the greatest difficulties found 10y
those who are endeavorjng to foster the
industry is the untidy surroundings in
which many Of the lacemakers work, but
this will. undoubtedly, be greatly help
ed by the fact that hereafter all work
that is not perfectly clean will be reject
ed. This will not only have it's influence
in causing greater care to be taken Of
the lace, but will Indirectly encourage
ar improvement in the homes by giving
an incentive to cleanliness as we'll as
affording means through the sale of lace
to improve these homes.
Groups stood around the lacemaker's
chair today and watched her quick move
ments with great interest,". The first es-
sential for the varieties of lace made in
this colony is small, hard pillow. A
boobin wound with thread is used for
each strand needed in the pattern. The
lace is held in place as it is woven by
pins. The lace is of the varieties known
as Torchon and Smyrna, which are favor
ties for trimmings. Comparison of the
samples with the same varieties of i'm
ported goods shows that these Minnesota
laces compare very favorably with them.
So here is an excellent opportunity to
put into practice the strongly-advocated
home trade doctrine. Several garments
trimmed with the lace were shown and
greatly admired.
ACTS OF CITY FATHERS