Lace Villages has been reprinted!

Lace Villages, by Liz Bartlett, was a sell out in in its first edition back in 1991 (B T Batsford Ltd). The reprinted, 2nd edition book can be purchased direct from Liz by using the paypal button below, you will be brought back to this site after your purchase.

I was delighted to have been chosen as the photographer for the front cover of the new book! Enjoy.

In the 19th century, the lace industries of the East Midlands had already been established for over 100 years. With traditional patterns and styles of lace, the counties of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire were well established, and many villages in those counties were very dependent on the money generated by the making of lace.

This book traces many personal histories of the lacemakers, showing how with skill and industry they survived the hardships of that time, and how their lace, traditions, and tools have been handed on to their successors today.

Find out for yourself where the thread came from, how it got to lacemakers and marvel at the hardships the spinners went through to make sure that the lacemakers had linen to work with.

Find out about the society in which these craftswomen laboured - the wealthy and titled who purchased the lace through the Inns on their journeys; the superstitions and beliefs that governed their lives, and the social stigmas associated with the wearing of coloured lace.

Trace the lucrative path of smuggled lace, feel the outrage of bereft relatives when all is revealed.

Soft Back; well over 100 black and white illustrations, prickings for lacemakers, updated details of local museum collections, and photos of private collections make this a book to consider for Christmas either for yourself or for a friend.

About the Author

Liz Bartlett has been lecturing on the history of her craft for the last 30 years and regularly speaks at lacedays at home and abroad, including Sweden and the USA. She uses her extensive knowledge of 19th century social conditions to illustrate her talks, and also demonstrates the social inequalities of the period with the help of her family lace collection.

To book talks at Lacedays, local history Society’s, or W.I. Liz can be contacted at liz.b@talktalk.net

UK customers £12.95 + p&p of £2.50

Over seas Customers £12.95 + p&P £3.75