Article in the Dutch women's magazine Libelle of 14 October 1948, with instructions for bobbin lace making (TRC 2021.0780).A month ago we published a blog about 'Lace in Leiden'. I would now like to give an update.

At the end of October, the TRC welcomed a group of lace makers from the OIDFA (Organisation Internationale de la Dentelle au Fuseau et à l'Aiguille) at the TRC for a group visit, study day and introduction to the TRC, to what we are doing and how we can work together (see blog).

During the group discussion at the end of the day, the idea was floated of making a lace centre here in Leiden as part of the TRC's plans to build up a teaching collection for a wide variety of textile skills. This led to the concept of ‘Lace in Leiden’ – with the term lace being used in the widest sense of the word, namely various forms of embroidered laces on cloth, net and tulle, of bobbin lace, knitted and knotted lace, crochet, tatted and hairpin lace.

Thanks to Gon Hamburg, a lace teacher and member of OIDFA, bobbin lace lessons are currently being given at the TRC and many more lessons are scheduled for next year.

Bobbin lace pillow, late 20th century, the Netherlands (TRC 2017.0208).In addition, the plans for ‘Lace in Leiden’ have just been given an enormous boost and are coming closer to realisation thanks to the donation this week of a large collection of lace equipment and books. The collection was used by Mrs Nettie Wetzels, from Berkel en Rodenrijs, who was a dedicated lace maker for about fifty years, as well as a teacher of lace making for many years.

The donation includes many lace pillows of different types, and the family felt that these objects, together with literally thousands of wooden bobbins, pins, threads, etc., would find a good home at the TRC and more importantly, they would be used. Many of the bobbins and some of the pillows, stands and bags were made by Mr Wetzels, who was a professional bookbinder and very skilled in designing and making the tools and equipment Mrs Wetzels needed. Many of these items will be used by the TRC for teaching purposes and some items will be sold in the two-day textile fair we are planning for the spring or summer of 2022.

Two pairs of lace bobbins, the Netherlands (TRC 2008.0136).In addition to the equipment, there are over 200 lace books in various languages, reflecting lace forms and techniques from many countries. The books fall into three main groups, (a) dictionaries and lexicons, (b) lace techniques (mainly bobbin lace) and (c) the history of lace.

In order to accommodate these and other book donations, we have just bought some new bookcases for the library, although it will take some time before the books are sorted and catalogued. The acquisition of these books, that will fill gaps in the current TRC collection of lace books, mean that the TRC will have a extensive lace library. All in all an impressive and important donation to realise our plans for a TRC textile artisan centre with a wide range of facilities.

Gillian Vogelsang, 27 November 2021