La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami, page 11 (recto) 1567

This is a page from "La Vera Perfettione del Disegno di varie sorti di recami," printed by Giovanni Ostaus in the 16th century. It's an instruction manual of sorts, for lace makers. The design is created with precise lines, through a process of carving into a block, inking the surface, and pressing it onto paper. Note the grid that underlies the composition. This would have provided a scalable template, allowing needleworkers to accurately replicate the pattern with thread. The image shows the close relationship between design and craft. It also points to the economic importance of textiles at this time, which provided opportunities for both professional designers like Ostaus and the many women producing needlework at home. These books helped disseminate style, and also standardized the production of luxury goods. So, next time you see a piece of lace, think about the many hands and processes involved in its creation, and how these patterns helped to shape a global industry.