La Pratique de l'Aiguille, page 41 (recto) 1605

This is page 41 from "La Pratique de l'Aiguille," or "The Practice of the Needle," a book of lace-making patterns by Matthias Mignerak. Published during a period when printed manuals helped disseminate knowledge, this pattern book offered designs that were highly sought after by women of the European elite. But what does it mean to practice the needle? Needlework was deeply intertwined with gender and class. For upper-class women, it was seen as a sign of refinement and domestic virtue. At the same time, it represented countless hours of unpaid labor. We see how the intricate floral design is contained within a strict grid, mirroring how women's creativity was often channeled into prescribed forms. These patterns allowed for the standardization and circulation of taste, reinforcing social hierarchies even as they offered a space for individual expression. Through lace, women participated in a global economy of skill, artistry, and aspiration. What stories might be woven into this fabric?