The Priscilla Battenberg and point lace book; a collection of lace ...

Diamond Design in Brussels Net.
Figure 117 shows another very handsome diamond
design in Brussels net. The first row
consists of single buttonhole stitches worked
at intervals so spaced as to make a loop long
enough to accommodate eight rather closely set
buttonhole stitches, and these long loops separated
by a shorter loop. In the second row
eight buttonhole stitches are worked on each of
the long loops, but no stitches on the shorter
loop. In the third row five stitches are worked
under the groups of eight and two stitches on
the loop connecting the groups of eight. In
the fourth row two stitches are worked under
the groups of five and five stitches under the
groups of two. This is done by making two
stitches to the left, one on the loop between
and two to the right of each group of two.
In the fifth row eight stitches are worked under
each group of five—two to the left, one between
each of the five and two to the right of
the group of five. No stitches are worked between
the groups of two. The sixth row is like
the third and the seventh like the fourth, and
the work so continued until the space is filled.
»ANY beautiful effects may be obtained
by combining lace braids and stitches
with neti Marie Antoinette is a net
or applique lace on a larger scale.
The same methods may be employed to make
the finest and daintiest of filmy laces. In the
former, cords, rings, and various heavy showy
braids are used to produce flowers and foliage,
bow-knots and scroll effects. In the finer laces
the regular point and honiton lace braids are
used.
The net is basted carefully and smoothly on
the stamped pattern. Much of the perfection of
the finished work depends upon the neatness and
exactness of this part of the work. The lines
of the pattern will be clearly seen through the
net, and over these the braid is basted.
Where the net underneath is to be cut away
the edge of the braid must be fastened to the net
with close buttonhole stitches of fine thread.
The inner curves must be fastened into position,
and, if the net is not to be cut away, these edges
must also be buttonholed to the foundation.
Net Stitch in Cifcles.
Net or Applique Lace*
45
In large circular spaces where webs or radiating
stitches are not desired the size of the space
may be reduced by a circling of Brussels or
Spanish net stitches worked at regular inter-
vals 'into the braid and drawn up by overcast-
ing the thread once into each loop ; see Fig. 118.
If once circling the space does not reduce its
size sufficiently any desired number of successive
circlings may be worked, each stitch into the
loop above. As the size of the space grows less
the stitches will become smaller and closer together,
and sometimes it is advisable to omit
every alternate loop of the preceding row. The
final circling of stitches may be merely gathered
into a circle or may be further finished by a covering
of close buttonhole stitches, or a little web
be woven across the opening. The working
thread is then overcast from circle to circle
back to its starting place in the braid and fas-
tened. Medallions of this kind can often be used
as inserts for dainty lingerie, and for such a
purpose the centre space could be filled with a
woven wheel. Such medallions would be pretty
in the corners of a handkerchief.
With cg,re the drawing of the inner curves into
position may be done with the buttonholing.
When this can be done the overcasting is unnec-
essary.
When the net is not to be cut away the braid
may be attached by close overcasting stitches.
A row of braid almost always outlines the. edge
of the lace. This is also buttonholed firmly to
the net and has an edge of purling overcast to its
outer edge. Occasionally the braid is omitted
and the purling alone is buttonholed to the net.
This makes a lighter but less durable finish for
the lace. The various lace stitches are then
worked into the design of the braid. In honiton
applique the braid medallions are buttonholed
into position according to the pattern, which is
usually a floral design. The stems of the various
leaves and flowers arc sometimes worked in tent
stitch and sometimes are darned into the-meshes
of the net. The centres of flowers are usually
finished with needle-made buttonholed rings.
Instead of the lace stitches used in the point