Types of Lace:
Lyon Lace
LYON LACE is the “creme de la creme” of all lace.
Lyon Lace is actually produced on different looms than our Leavers looms – the looms are over 150+ years old and only 3 remain in existence. These looms move slower, yet can handle patterns that cannot be produced on any other loom.
Look for the huge scale as well as varied backgrounds and weights. Lyon Lace is truly unlike anything else!
Lyon looms produce exquisite designs and unmatched quality.
Originally birthed and housed in Lyon, France (hence the name), in 2012 these looms were not working correctly and were set to be scrapped (which would have made this incredible art extinct). Upon learning of this situation, Gelmor couldn’t let this unique art disappear. Marilyn was instrumental in initiating their transfer of ownership; the looms were moved to the north of France under the direction of an existent Calais-Caudry lace manufacturer who restored them with pride and love for their heritage.
Following a 3-year refurbishment and hundreds of thousands of Euros, these looms are now back up and weaving , allowing them to once again create this wearable art of exquisite design and unmatched quality.
The scale and intricacy of Lyon Lace is unmatched
Interestingly, these looms run vertically (versus the usual leavers which run horizontally) and are even slower and more labor intensive – in some cases weaving just 35cm/hour. The process from the first day on the loom to finished yardage is 10-20 weeks.
YES, IT’S A SLOWER PROCESS BUT WHAT MAKES LYON LACE DIFFERENT OR MORE SPECIAL? The scale and intriquicay of Lyon Lace is unmatched – the patterns tend to be on a much larger scale, more intricate, and contain many more different gradients (size and types of holes) than even a traditional leavers lace. The result is incomparable.
Lyon lace is corded by hand
Similarly to an Alencon, Lyon lace is entirely corded by hand by specialized artisans. Only a handful of workers in the world are allowed to work on this lace due the specialization required.
Furthermore Lyon Lace is always corded (no ‘chantilly-like’ version exists) and unlike chantilly and alencon leavers laces, there are no eyelashes. Instead the cording on the edges of these laces are actually double corded to ensure there is never any fraying.