Teneriffe Lace
By Adeline Panamaroff
Adeline, a freelance writer/proofreader, located in Edmonton, Alberta can be contacted at www.adelinepanamaroff.com for writing and marketing requests.
Teneriffe Lace worked by guild member Terrie H.
History: Sun lace, lace medallions, Brazilian lace, lace wheels, and spider lace, are all various names for Teneriffe lace. Done on the round, Teneriffe lace creates patterns that are geometric, not representational. As separate units, each piece is a disc, but once they are sewn together, they form chains of narrow lace, or whole rectangles that can span wide tablecloths.
Teneriffe lace has been depicted in historic paintings since the 1500s C.E. Evidence of it being manufactured in the Canary Islands, especially Teneriffe, dates back to the same era. It is thought that the art of this lace making method travelled from Spain to its colonial islands. Before that, this needle lace may have come from regions in Northern Europe. A similar type of round lace has surfaced in Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia and Paraguay in the 1700s C.E., likely brought over by Spanish colonists. The fibres used in these laces were silk, while Teneriffe lace used cotton threads only.
Wherever versions of Teneriffe lace popped up, it was generally manufactured for consumption by the Christian clergy’s religious garb, and for other textiles used within church buildings
The manufacture of these laces remained popular among the people of Tenerife for over 150 years. It is still made on this island province as a tourist trade item, but is known locally as Brazilian lace.
In the early 1900, examples of Teneriffe lace could be found in North American needle craft magazines, with instructions on both how to make single circular pieces, and how to incorporate them into garments such as corset covers. When used in this way, the lace was used as both trim and inlays within the main body of the garment.
Technique: A type of needle lace, Teneriffe lace, is made by stitching and knitting threads together with a needle and thread, not weaving with bobbins or crochet hooks.
It is created on a round frame which can be as basic as pins stuck into a circle of cardboard, or as elaborate as a wood or plastic tool with teeth cut into the edge called a loom or lace constructor. Each pin or tooth is situated across the circle from each other and is the point from which the foundation threads of the lace are looped around. Each thread makes a spoke of a wheel across the circle’s surface. The pattern of the lace is worked by weaving, knotting and creating open or closed spaces among the foundation threads.
Teneriffe lace can be used as single units, as doilies, or can be joined to create chains of lace. Medallions of this lace can also be joined to create rectangular tablecloths, or appliqued onto backing material. It can also be used as trim or inlays on garments. It can also be mixed with other needlework forms like punto antico to make dainty hankies.
Innovations: Teneriffe lace is still used as it was 500 years ago, as long lengths of lace for trims, and inlays. It can be seen on historical reenactment costumes and accessories, as well as on more modern articles like table runners, curtains and wall decorations. Other applications could include festive tree decorations, coasters, or textile jewellery, depending on the size of the medallion created.
References and Further Reading:
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