The Lace Museum: An Online Archive for Textile Ephemera A free digital museum of lace, ribbon, and passementerie. This includes extant garments containing these materials
iCrowdNewswire -
Jan 20, 2020 7:55 AM ET
Story
I remember sitting on the floor of my grandparents’ antique shop cutting the lace and buttons off old, shattering silk garments. Because they were not seen as valuable, they would often be thrown away, but I wanted to save them. Upon getting older and beginning to sew, I found there was no comparison between the quality of antique lace and what was available to buy new. I began seeking out more antique lace and sharing photos of it with my friends. Eventually, I became known as a resource, providing my expertise and materials with film productions, TV series, theaters, and serious historical reenactors. Now, I want to make that expertise, and collection of thousands of pieces of extant lace available to you.
The Lace Museum will be a free online museum which documents my extensive collection. I have already taken thousands of high-quality photos showcasing my pieces from every angle: close up, far away, front and back, honing in on all the interesting details that makes every piece special. It is an unprecedented look at the incredible craftsmanship and beauty of these pieces. A digital museum gives me the unique opportunity to show anyone, anywhere in the world pieces that may be rare, valuable, or difficult to otherwise display at a much closer scale than even an in-person exhibit could. Each piece will be accompanied by a detailed explanation of what it is, where it comes from, how old it is, what context it would be used for in historic fashion, and any other information I can provide to help you understand what you are looking at. It also won’t be limited to just lace! This will eventually expand to include ribbon, trims, passementerie, extant garments, and anything else in my collection.
For anyone interested in fashion history, be it for academic research, costume design, historical reenactment, or just to appreciate the beauty of old things, this museum will be the place to get an up close, personal look at the small details that bring an ensemble together. There is currently no resource of this scale focusing on lace, ribbon, and trim.
With the documentation process well underway, I am ready to begin building the website, a huge undertaking in of itself. To ensure maximum searchability and utility to users I have chosen a museum software that will enable the user to narrow a search down to the decade or style of lace. To host this many high-resolution images will require significant server space, at a significant yearly maintenance cost. In addition, even with the amount of photos already taken, there are still thousands of pieces yet to be documented. With this Kickstarter, I will have the funds to get the server running, acquire the software license necessary and keep the site running for three years.
“Elizabeth’s collection is broad and deep in a way seldom seen in private hands, and her knowledge matches if not exceeds that expansiveness. That she wants to share what she has and knows is typical of her generosity. I am excited she has chosen to do so by adopting many modern museum practices, including stable storage, standardized cataloging and high-resolution imaging. These time-consuming, sometimes tedious, and, yes, expensive efforts are going to benefit researchers, designers, costumers, and anyone who simply loves beautiful things. “
-Jeannie Whited, MA Museum Studies
$10,000 – My initial goal will cover the costs of operating the museum for three years, including server space and museum cataloging software.
$15,000 – With this much, I would have the resources to create a fully interactive world lace map on the site.
$20,000 – This would allow me to upgrade to a better server. This means space for even more! Including even higher quality images providing visitors with a more in-depth experience (think microscope type zoom abilities).
$25,000 – This would cover operating costs for the museum with the interactive map and upgraded server for five years. PLUS allow for limit capture of followers heritage heirlooms!
$1+– Thank You
Everyone who donates $5 or more will be listed on a virtual donor’s wall on the museum website thanking them for their contribution.
$10 – Digital Pattern Download – Cartouche
A digital download of a French cartouche patterns for embroidery from 1857, scanned from my collection and usable for numerous eras (classic French design so can be used for 1700s- 1900s). These can be used for hand embroidery, digital uses, or even screen printing!
$15– Death’sHead Button Kit
A kit comprised of 10 bone discs measuring 5/8” across or 6 bone discs measuring 1” across, along with antique French linen in black, and instructions. The linen is a full skein of 50 meters, so plenty extra for other uses!
$20 – Digital Pattern Download – Lettering
A digital download of a delicate French full monogram lettering alphabet, upper and lower case, scanned from my collection. Can be used for hand embroidery, digital uses, or even screen printing!
$40 – Peacock Dress Embroidery Set
This set includes rare antique silk and metal threads from France. The colors include a shimmering plum and gold, an olive green and gold twist, a copper, and a gold. These are best used couched into place to show off their splendor. You will receive 4 bobbins (modern sewing machine bobbins) containing 20-50 yards each (depending on the thread). Limited to only 15!
$50 – Chatelaine Kit
This is a limited edition kit with a choice of antique jacquard ribbon to choose from. Come with everything, including detailed instructions, on how to assemble.
$50 – Collar + CuffsPatterns 5 FULL SETS!
A digital download of a five collar and cuff pattern pairs from 1862, suitable for embroidery (broderie angalaise or Aryshire work). If physical patterns are preferred please indicate so
$75 – Beetlewing Embroidery Kit + Patterns
Get 175+ elytra beetle wings, a specialized hole punching tool kit (negating the need to drill), 80” of antique gold bullion from France, and patterns taken from my original pieces
$100 – Digital Downloads + Art Print
At this level, you will receive downloads for all digital rewards previously listed plus an art quality hand silk screened print of a piece of Chantilly lace from my collection. If physical patterns are preferred please indicate so
$200 – One Yard Hand Silk Screened Fabric
You will get a yard of hand silk screened fine cotton voile with a wide Chantilly lace edge screened in place (your choice of color). If you order multiples they will be done as a single piece.
$250 – Fichu Designs + Fine Voile Fichu
At this level, you will receive a 52” square hand made fichu of finest cotton voile, a download of five original French Fichu patterns (corners and edging) ideal for 1700s-1800s- for you to make your own personalize fichu, and all previous pattern downloads. If physical patterns are preferred please indicate so
$400 – Custom Engageantes
A pair of hand finished fine cotton voile engageantes (18thc cuffs). Double or single ruffle. Can be finished with antique Valenciennes lace or a digital download of original 18thc white work embroidery designs can be included. (Backer to do embroidery)
$500 – Custom Fabric + Peerage Crown Set
At this level, you will receive two yards of hand screen printed fabric done on the finest voile (I have other options), a rare set of embroidery patterns for French peerage emblems (crown + coronet sets), and all previous pattern downloads. These beautiful digital downloads are from my rare originals and can be used for graphics, screen printing, or hand embroidery. If physical patterns are preferred please indicate so
$1,000 – Custom Fabric + Lace Chat
At this level, I will hand screen printed five yards of fabric with a lace design from my collection. You will also get a thirty-minute phone call with me to talk about lace, the museum, your projects, or something else. (I love lace so am happy to help identify family heirlooms as well)
$2,500 – Custom Fabric + Lace Chat
At this level, I will hand screen print fifteen yards of fabric with any lace design from my collection. Whichever design you choose will be exclusive to you (I will not make it available to other backers). You will also get an hour-long phone call with me to talk about lace, the museum, your projects, or something else. (I love lace so am happy to help identify family heirlooms as well) THANK YOU!
Risks and challenges
With a successfully funded campaign, there will be very little risk to this project launching. Documentation is already well underway and ready to be uploaded. All we need are start-up funds. The biggest risk will be continuing to fundraise the continual costs after 3-5 years.