A cascading stack of hearts within a bouquet of flowers was how I saw this design in a barbe, or narrow lace stole. This special antique lace from the 19th Century deserves a whimsical name — I like “Love in Bloom,” because the little hearts deserve to travel on in time as Valentines for friends.
(More about this lace will be offered in future articles in the Collecting Lace and Use It Or Lose It sections of this website.)
Originally made in Brussels bobbin lace, there is no reason they should be limited to those who make bobbin lace. Why not interpret them in needle lace? Tape lace? Whatever suits your fancy and your repertoire of lacemaking skills..
My series of the little heart patterns are provided as a .pdf file.
To see closeup details of how the lace was originally made, click on the photos.
I am offering these patterns for your free use to make your own Valentines for friends or your own use. For any other use of the patterns, please contact me for permission. Email contact LaceCurator@gmail.com
ALSO If you make Valentines from these patterns, please let us know what you made! Especially creative interpretations. — PLEASE SEND PICTURES to LaceCurator.info.
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Published January 2014