There
are two varieties of Limerick Lace. Tambour Lace which is worked
with a hook and Needlerun Lace which is worked with a needle.
The Tambour is so named because the net is stretched across a
frame which is like a tambourine. Stitches are then worked on
to the net in a cotton thread with a fine steel tambour hook.
The pattern is drawn on paper and placed in front of the worker
or held underneath the net.
The Needlerun Lace is also worked on net where the stitches are darned with a sewing needle. Sometimes there is a combination of tambour and run work on the one piece of lace. One of the collars in the Museum shows both techniques. The run lace always has a lighter appearance. As in Carrickmacross Lace, it usually has caskets in the design which are spaces to be filled with a variety of fancy stitches.
Bellanaleck, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh
Phone: 028 6634 8052