Lace is of two kinds--pillow lace, which is made upon a cushion or
pillow, and point lace, which is made of stitches or _points_ worked in
patterns by hand, which are joined by various stitches forming a
groundwork, also the result of the needle above.
Pillow lace is entirely worked on the pillow or cushion, the pattern and
ground being produced at the same time. Pillow lace is sometimes
correctly called bone or bobbin lace, but it appears that the
distinction has never been very nicely observed either by lace-workers
or lace-traders, many sorts which are really pillow lace being called
point, on account of some peculiarity in the stitch or pattern.
The requisites for producing lace in perfection are the dexterity and
taste of the workers, and the goodness of the material. To produce many
beautiful fabrics a mechanical dexterity alone suffices, but in
lace-making the worker must have some artistic talent, even when
supplied with designs, for any one can perceive that deviations from the
design are easily made, and that the slightest alteration by a worker
wanting in taste will spoil the whole piece of workmanship.
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