A very delicate and pretty piece of lace can add a lot of value and beauty to an otherwise simple garment. The most striking feature of this delicate piece is that which is missing, coz a lace is full of holes. These holes in various designs bring out the beauty of the lace. This distinctive feature of lace makes it different from other textiles.

True lace materializes to have first been produced in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. The most excellent laces were made in Italy, France and Belgium. A huge range of varieties of lace were also made in several parts of Europe, China, India, the Philippines and South and Central America.

In modern times, made with the latest fabrics like lycra, polyester and blended fabrics, lace is very much in demand for various designer wears like gown, sleepwear, skirts, innerwear and is also used for decorating pillow covers, tapestry, table linen etc.

Materials used

Laces are generally made from flax, silk and metal wrapped silk, while some are also made from cotton and wool. Though, flax (linen) thread made in Belgium is a preferred fiber, new materials have also added value and looks. These cover midrange and high-end embarks with durable Lycra which prevents shrinkage. Other designs have a better wrinkle recovery and a softer hand for better convenience and comfort.