Michele created this ethereal bolero with Alençon lace trim from Britex Fabrics. She notes that the shaping darts are hidden by lace to create a seamless look in sheer organza. We love the delicate gossamer effect, and the way the flowers spill gracefully over the shoulder.

Here is another vintage lace from our online store. I long to wear a pair of chocolate brown lawn pajamas trimmed with this charming lace, and curl up with a cup of heavily sweetened Ceylon tea and Janet Flanner’s “Paris Was Yesterday, 1925-1939”. This charming 1 1/8″ wide ivory vintage lace depicts a scene from the Aesop’s Fable, “The Fox and the Crow”. As Jean de la Fontaine said:
“Perched on a lofty oak,
Sir Raven held a lunch of cheese;
Sir Fox, who smelt it in the breeze,
Thus to the holder spoke:
“Ha! how do you do, Sir Raven?
Well, your coat, sir, is a brave one!.”

http://www.britexfabrics.com/lace/vintage/ivory-vintage-lace-4.html

Here is some difficult to find silk vintage Chantilly lace. This is an exquisitely delicate and unusual 12″ wide Chantilly lace. Simple flowers and leaves are strewn gracefully across a loose netting background, with one gently scalloped edge. Both edges are adorned with wispy eyelash trim. Once hand-washed in cold water, this lace softens up delectably. This would perfect on the bodice of a romantic vintage-inspired wedding gown!

We call this lace, “When Scientists Marry!” If Gertrude Belle Elion (renowned research scientist in chemistry) had ever decided to tie the knot, her gown would have been trimmed with this enchanting Chantilly lace. This is a 2 1/2″ wide ivory Chantilly lace in an oh-so-scientific pattern of double helixes, on a loose netting background and framed by a wee picot edge.

Remember to buy fragrant spices, whole cloves, oranges, and beauteous ribbons from Britex to make this old-fashioned treat. Truli is a talented jeweler, and craft-person. Here she presents a tutorial for making traditional clove-studded pomanders. She says, “The Victorians hung pomanders in their closets to ward off moths. Every Thanksgiving I make the spicy orange pomanders and come Christmas time they are dried and ready to be put out in a large festive bowl for my family and friends to take home as a thoughtful handcrafted gift and the rich spicy fragrance will last for years…. they are so simple to make it’s also a nice project to do with your children or a great activity for children to make in supervised groups too.” Their smell makes me think of holiday gatherings …..next to the scent of freshly waxed antique furniture or fir trees, these make me nostalgic for hot cider, sleigh rides, and uproarious groups of peeps playing board games until 2 am.

Alençon lace or point d’Alençon lace was first made in France in the 16th century, and is renowned for its fine netting ground, corded outlined floral patterns, and heavenly detailing. Alençon lace is also called the “Queen of lace”, and is superlative to use as trim for wedding gowns and bridal veils. This 1 1/4″ wide imported French Alençon lace is an edging lace with a floral corded motif, netting background, and a shallow scalloped border. We offer it in both soft white and creamy ivory, and it costs $5.96/yard.

Britex has beauteous Chantilly lace. Chantilly lace was first made in France in the 17th century, and is renowned for its fine ground and scrumptious detail. Chantilly lace is a romantically delicate lace which is ideal for wedding and bridal use, including trim for gowns and veils. Here are two examples of Chantilly laces that live on our 3rd floor bridal department. The lace trim on the left is white, has fairly deep floral scalloped edges with light eyelashes, repeating center floral and leaf medallions, a lovely netting background, is 5” wide, $49.95/yard, and is made in France. The lace trim on the right is a winter-white, has very shallow scalloped edges with light eyelashes, a fine netting background with scattered leaves, a floral and swag border motif, is 6 1/2” wide, $49.95/yard, and is made in Italy. We also offer a mail order service and can ship to most countries. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing this lace.

Britex Fabrics brocade and ecclesiastical ribbons are ideal to ornament Renaissance garments. You could duplicate Cecilia Gallerani’s gown and cloak as shown in this portrait. Her cloak is called a sbernia and is made of trimmed silk. Her hair is gathered together inside a sheer silky bonnet with a border appearing under a ribbon that is level with her eyebrows. Her gown has a quadrangular neckline with golden trim. Britex can assist with all but the silky, sweet stout that Cecilia cradles in her arms.

This is a brilliant frock for cavorting in the cool waters of Trivali Fountain at 4am while singing “Dancing Queen”. The full skirt is created with exquisite imported Swiss silk fabric that is embroidered and appliquéd, then sprinkled with a scattering of clear crystals. The appliquéd fleurs are charmingly three-dimensional. This is a 2 7/8 yard piece, 54” wide, and costs $1,995 for the length. The bodice is made of a soft ivory silk Mikado which is 56” wide and $59.99 a yard. The waistline is enhanced with pliant double-faced black satin ribbon, and the choker is fashioned of a pair of beaded trim appliqués. The silk organza skirt is held beautifully aloft by 50 yards of 72” wide black nylon net.

Who could ever guess the amount of structure that goes into making this lacy waist-enhancing confection? Mary made this wide belt that is reminiscent of a waist cincher, of delicate French Chantilly lace. Beneath the lace, there are multiple layers of buckram, power net, silk chiffon, Swiss batiste, all fastened in the back with a leather buckle. (click photo to see a similar Chantilly lace trim)