Characterized by small cut outs surrounded by embroidery, eyelet is a summery material because of this “air conditioning.” The base fabric is usually a plain weave, light but firm cotton or cotton blend—most commonly in white—but also in pastels or any other color. Sometimes linen is used.
Uses: Summer dresses, skirts, blouses, lingerie, trim, household decoration
See also:
Madeira work
Lace is an openwork fabric—a network of threads in elaborate and decorative patterns. There are many methods for making the multitude of different types of lace including needle, bobbin, knotting, cutwork, crocheting and knitting. Lace has been machine-made since ca. 1760—especially from the 19th-century on—while handmade lace is still made and highly valued.
Lace is also occasionally the subject of fabric prints.
A cutwork and embroidery needlework created by Portuguese women on the island of Madeira, Madeira work is characterized by white-on-white embroidery and eyelets. This craft may have been brought to Madeira in the 19th century from England, where a very popular type of eyelet embroidery was known as broderie anglaise—English embroidery. Both names are given to this white eyelet embroidery on white linen or cotton.
Uses: Dresses, blouses, children’s clothing
See also:
Eyelet
