Silk Lacet

Cut Quantity

The silk lacet braids are sold by the yard.  Specify cut length desired.  1 yard each of 5025, 2126, 2125, 199, 634, 4526, and 741/Cream are in the Harmony Package.  These are leftovers and only a handful available.

Thread Structure 

These are flat braided structures out of soie ovale filament silk and are approximately 1/8” wide made to function like the small, flat finger loop braids used in 17th century schoolgirl embroidery.  These exquisite elements are part of the Cabinet of Curiosities Historic Colors Collection, showcasing both traditional craftsmanship and the rich, vibrant hues of history.  

Lacet is a modern term applied here to encompass the wide number of configurations that can be made by fingerloop braiding techniques practiced in the seventeenth century.  Flat, round, square and double faced braids and their variations had many terms to describe such as those outlined in Randel Holmes’ Academy of Armory (1688) “Waft, or Finger Bread, are kind of Purse-strings woven on the Fingers either round or broad, one side of one colour, the other of another; or wrought in Letters, Flowers, Chequy or Losenge ways”.  Several manuscripts with coded instructions and samples for these braids exist in collections, most dating in the 1650s, use additional terms (lace, braid, & string) making classification of a particular braid hard for the modern viewer.  For this reason, lacet has been chosen with the understanding that the period terms were highly descriptive and currently elude researchers.  Noemi Speiser and Joy Boutrup have identified the exact braid structure and instructions in manuscripts for the structure used for making flowers.  They have termed them unorthodox braids and instruction on the construction are in European Loop Braiding Part IV: Track Plans as a Tool for Analysis Applications of Loop-Manipulated Braids, Noemi Speiser, Joy Boutrup, and Jennie Parry, (Jennie Parry, Leicester, 2012)

Uses of Silk Lacet

Silk lacet is useful as a trim on stumpwork embroidery to make small ties for shoes and costume on the figures.  In the 17th century, they were used to make flowers other small items by slip stitching together into petals and leaves.  

Downloadable Project

There are two downloadable free projects using silk laces: a pair of small gloves inspired by the ones in Martha Edlin's casket and a pansy posey.  Kits for each are available pre-packaged or you can use the downloadable directions to choose new colors.

The Cabinet of Curiosities Historic Colors Collection
Where Time Meets Thread

Step into a world where history is not just studied but touched and transformed. Thistle Threads, in collaboration with the legendary Au Ver à Soie and Access Commodities, brings you The Cabinet of Curiosities Historic Colors Collection—an exquisite line of silks that evokes the artistry of a bygone age. Drawing inspiration from the rich hues of the 17th and 18th centuries, this collection is a tribute to the centuries-old art of natural dyeing. A living, breathing palette, now reimagined for modern hands to create.

Imagine, if you will, the painstaking artistry of the period—samplers stitched by candlelight, stumpwork caskets with intricate designs whispered from one generation to the next. This collection is made to capture that same spirit. Each strand, custom-dyed to perfection, replicates the natural tones that once graced the silkwork of a gilded age, enabling you to recreate those delicate shades in your own work. Bask in the depth of hues meticulously crafted to mimic the nuances of ancient dyes. Thistle Threads has curated a selection of threads designed to evoke the historical richness of the past, offering a stunning array of fibers in a wealth of shaded color families.

In perfect harmony with this ethereal array is a thoughtful, structured system designed for maximum flexibility and precision. The tones flow seamlessly from one thread line to the next, ensuring that whether you are working in fine detail or full coverage, there is a perfect match to suit your needs. Each family, carefully organized for every possible application, guarantees the perfect balance between delicate accents and bold statements.

The inherent beauty of this collection lies in its versatility. The colors are not just a reflection of nature but a carefully crafted framework to complement all forms of needlework. The ease with which you can match couching threads to your work ensures that every stitch is a harmonious note in a well-composed symphony, with no discordant stitch to break the flow.

As you thread your needle, know that you are not simply recreating a pattern. You are stitching a piece of history, where every thread is a tribute to the artistry of a time long past. Whether you are creating a historic sampler or an embroidered casket, The Cabinet of Curiosities Historic Colors Collection brings an age-old palette to life once again. Let each thread tell a story, and may your needle carry it forward, stitch by stitch.