An introduction to Nottingham lace

Lace making has played an important part in the history of Nottingham and making it world famous, but how was the lace made, and what part did the industrial revolution play in Nottingham’s history?

The history of lacemaking in Nottingham

It was estimated that 120,000 people in the 1700’s made a living from producing ‘Bobbin Lace’ in their own homes. Traditional Nottingham lace had to be made in a series of hexagonal meshes, then knotted together. Some of the earlier machine lace attempts only produced a series of loops and were therefore, not regarded as true lace. The lace was used to make lace doilies, lace curtains, even lace tablecloths and there were dresses made from lace or trimmed with the lace. The industrial revolution mechanised the weaving process, but it was some time before lace good enough to be called Nottingham Lace, could be produced on a mechanised loom. It was 1814 before John Leaver invented a machine that could make lace in the traditional way. The machines were first hand powered, and later powered by steam. The Lace making area of Nottingham was given the name ‘ The Lace Market’ in 1847. By 1865, there were 130 Lace-making factories operating in the lace market. Throughout the early 1900’s, Nottingham Lace dominated the UK market for machine-made lace, with the largest market outside the UK being North America. During the early 1900’s, every passenger ship crossing the Atlantic had a cargo of Nottingham Lace on-board. The First World War heralded the decline in the lace industry, followed by the depression of the 1930’s, and then the Second World War of 1939. Buildings were damaged, trade destroyed and the main producer of Lace in Nottingham ceased trading in 1950.

Lacemaking today

Nottinghamshire Bobbin Lace making Society (NBLS) was set up in 1975 as a means of keeping the lacemaking tradition alive, as well as offering traditional lacemaking courses to the public. Residential weekend courses are offered at Revill.force9.co.uk for details. The society also holds exhibitions on lacemaking which run on five separate days during the year. In 1972, the buildings of the Lace Market were listed as being of ‘National historical interest’ and now form part of Nottingham’s living history. Although the number of lace merchants has declined substantially in Nottingham, the old Lace Market has regenerated into an array of specialist shops and boutiques. Genuine Nottingham lace is still produced at St Mary’s Gate in the heart of the Lace Market district, visit Debbiebryan.co.uk. There is also a specialist Bridal wear shop producing Nottingham Lace wedding dresses and lace veils,with vintage dress designs, visit Kulatsurdiu.co.uk for more details.