The Best of European Lace Trivia Quiz

Answer: Linen

Linen thread has been used for centuries to make the finest European lace. It is stronger than the other options, does not wrinkle, is not prone to tangling during the lace-making process, and holds dye well without running. Its use results in a lace that holds its shape, is not prone to mildew, and is/was not prohibitively expensive.

Answer: Chantilly

Chantilly lace was a type of French handmade lace that has its origins in France and Belgium. It was known for its intricate designs and was usually made from silk. The most popular use for Chantilly lace was for mourning wear also known as widow's weeds. This popular lace was popular well into the 19th century, when lace shawls were part of every fashionable European woman's wardrobe.

Answer: Sailors

Decorative ropework was practiced on many ships to make both nets for fishing and decorative mementos for girlfriends and wives at home. Many of the knots used in ropework bear a striking resemblance to the knotting involved in tatting. This type of lace is believed to have arisen in Europe around the 20th century and was usually made using silk thread, a needle, and a hand shuttle.

Answer: It was one of the easiest to make

Torchon lace was one of the first types of lace that a young European lace maker would learn how to make. This was because it used a thick cotton or linen thread and a simple design which made it one of the easiest types of lace to make. It usually had a scalloped edge which made it suitable for cuffs, dress hems and underwear decoration.

Answer: Sheep

Shetland lace is made from the wool of the sheep which are found all over the Shetland Island. It is often called "wedding ring lace" because it was often used to make wedding shawls and veils which were so fine and light that they could pass through a wedding ring.

The natural lanolin found in the sheep wool make the thread stronger and easier to use. It should be noted that there are differences of opinion as to whether Shetland lace is actually a lace or a type of very fine knitting.

Answer: Italy

Gros Point de Venise was a type of needle lace known for motifs that favored scrolls and flowers. Worn exclusively by the aristocracy, it was famous for the three-dimensional effect that this lace displayed. This feat was accomplished with a padded stitch that was used to outline the designs of the lace.

This Italian lace was expensive to make and its creation was a difficult skill to learn.

Answer: Saint John Regis

Saint John (Jean) Regis (1597-1640) is the patron saint of lace-makers. During his lifetime he helped many young country girls become established in the lace-making industry in an effort to keep them away from the evils that beckoned to them from the large cities in France.

He also established hostels for inner city prostitutes at which they learned this trade and became able to provide a stable income to support themselves and any children they may have had.

Answer: Queen Victoria

When the British Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840 she wore a lace veil setting a fashion trend that exists to this day. Instead of a silver dress, which was the custom, she wore a white one covered in exquisite Honiton lace. Her veil was made of the same lace adorned with orange blossoms.

It was said by many that she made the decision to break with tradition because of her love of lace and wanted as much of it as she could on her bridal costume. Even in her old age she was known for wearing vast amounts of black lace on her tiny frame.

Answer: True

Dressmakers loved to use lace as a replacement to the heavy embroidery that was often used for ball gowns and other types of women's wear. Fine embroidery, while beautiful, added a tremendous amount of weight to the typical ball gown or court dress. This was in addition to voluminous amounts of petticoats, and other undergarments. Lace inserts lightened the garment while providing decoration.

It was also reusable and could be taken from an old gown and reused on a new one, something that could not be done with embroidered fabrics.

Answer: False

Queen Anne's Lace is a small European white flower with a somewhat lacy appearance, but not a type of lace. It is also called wild carrot and has been used as a folk remedy for centuries as a diuretic and as a stimulant. It is often seen in bouquets as a backdrop to more dramatic flowers such as roses or lilies.