Lace Tatting Sewing

Lace and Sewing

Throughout the centuries lace has been made by many different methods. There are fine examples of the many types in museums around the world. Benjamin Rulon was a banker and a merchant, his family history was in lace making, he encouraged his daughters in the art of weaving, crocheting, knitting, tatting and bobbin lace making, below are examples of their work.

Left is a lace sampler of knitted, tatted and crocheted lace put together by my Grandmother for a historical society show. The two ladies in the photo, Anna and Maggie Rulon, created this lace from 1860 to 1920. Without television or radio to warp their minds the two Rulon sisters worked diligently to make this beautiful lace. A news paper clipping of their work is attached to the sampler. Right is a sampler of manufactured lace circa 1920. After this time lace making became a hobby, rather then a necessity.
  Left  Value $200 (SOLD)                                                     Right Sold

To the left is a cross-stitched wool on linen example from 1845 made by my Great Great Great Grandmother Elizabeth Raines Black (nee Hewes). It has been kept all these years in either a basket or a dresser drawer. This square is still waiting after over 150 years to be put to use.
Value $ 80.00

The background embroidered square is the same as above. The sewing kit is an army issue from 1945. The Singer box is from one of the early Singer sewing machines and contains various presser foot attachments. The wooden spools are just a few examples from the J.P. Coats box, they were the standard until plastic came into use. Stitch witch is a needle threader to assist when attempting to thread the needle on the sewing machine. Milwards made knitting pins to hold the place in a knitted piece when making sleeves or collars. In front are various sized crochet hooks made of steel, bone and ivory. The older of the crochet hooks are the bone and ivory.

Various ivory pieces. Bobbin for use with making bobbin lace. Three different sized crochet hooks. One fork, I am not sure what it's real use was for, grandma used it to secure knots in tatting and other lace making.


Some more lace from the same people and time (1860-1920). Left top floral crocheted band 15"x1 1/2". Middle from left, 1/2 wide 10" round of scalloped lace. 2 1/4 " wide 83" round scalloped lace, 2 1/4" wide 44" round snow flaked edge, Intricate 1 1/2" wide and 30" long, 10" x3 1/14 Irish lace, Bottom 1/2" x 30" scalloped lace.
Enlargement to right.

To the Left a Hand made collar made by one of the Rulon sisters in the late 1800's. This beautifully made cotton collar is shown in a partial blow up to the right.

Value $65

To the left we have a crocheted floral cotton collar. I have seen similar examples listed on eBay as knitted, they are, however, crocheted. On the right is a handmade collar using crinoline with embroidered detail and mother of pearl buttons. They are both in excellentcondition.
Both are valued at about $50.00 each.



Two pair of crocheted lace gloves. Very fashionable in the late half of the 19th century. The black pair of fingerless gloves were more commonly worn than the full fingered white. The black pair are very similar to those worn by my great, great,great grandmother in the photo of Tabitha Rulon.

Below is a pair of bobbin lace cuffs made around 1870, they were worn by my Great Great Grand Mother. Right is a small sample of very old hand made beaded lace, the beads are mother of pearl. This was made in the early 1800's.
  Some pieces can range into the hundreds of dollars in value.

Left blow up of top left.
                       Two hand made lace doilies, tatted.

Left one Knitted dress collar, linen collar with tatted edge, and a crocheted cuff.
Center one lovely dress collar and matching cuffs, tatted.
Far right three Knitted lace panels. All the items in this box are from the late 1800's. Values can range into the hundreds of dollars.

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