Guide to Lace and Linens [Paperback]

Elizabeth M. Kurella (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

This book offers a process that will allow anyone with a good eye and a magnifying glass to determine what kind of lace they have, and its current value. Large, detailed photographs accompany step-by-step instructions in lace identification. Learn the "secret codes" of lace and linen terms and what to look for to determine when to save or sell a valuable piece.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Antique Trader Books (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930625897
• ISBN-13: 978-0930625894
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Textiles & Costume

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Photos and Information, April 15, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Lace and Linens (Paperback)

As a valuable addition to any lace collector or lace historian's library, this book fits right inbetween Earnshaw's Lace Identification and Elizabeth's smaller simpler volume "A Pocket Guide to Lace and Linens."

The macro photographs of each lace are clear and sharp making it possible to count the number of twists in a particular stitch and identify exactly which features are the identifiable characteristic of each lace. Elizabeth's valuation system for the monetary value and collectability of each type of lace is informative and well reasoned.

For the would be collector, this book along with Earnshaw's are the ones to have at home while the pocket guide is the one to take with you to the flea markets and antique fairs. Not only will you be able to knowledgably indentify what you have, but you will be able to discern how difficult the stitches and techniques are, when and where the lace was probably made and its relative value on today's market.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best Lace identification book I've found!, February 22, 1999

By 

Lori ([e-mail]) (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Lace and Linens (Paperback)

This book has one or more pages describing each type of lace. The varieties are extensive. It is so clear and easy to understand what makes each lace unique. The first book I reccomend for those wanting to know about lace!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Need To Know About Handmade Lace, June 17, 2011

By 

Dina Kerik "queenlint1" (Mango, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guide to Lace and Linens (Paperback)

As the proprietor of an online shop specializing, as my motto says in "antique, vintage and fine contemporary laces and trims", I have stacks of books by various authors that I used to teach myself how to recognize, grade and value these ethereal bits of wonder over the years. All of them are helpful and provide good resources that I've returned to for information. But there are so many similarities between various laces and so many variations within one type, that you can get bogged down and frustrated. Many of the old standard works do not cover these or give direction to further help in identification.

It was not until I purchased Elizabeth Kurella's book, 'Everybody's Guide to Lace and Linens' that I actually understood the concepts and characteristics of each lace in a superbly logical way. I consider Kurella to be an expert researcher and writer. Her well written and generously illustrated work can turn even the greenest of novices into one who has the basics of what and how to look at laces to type them. Her 'C.O.M.B.O.' method is simply brilliant.

Each lace type is categorized by clothwork, outline, mesh, bridges used and ornament detail. I truly wish this had been the first book of my lace library instead of the latest volume. I'm a bonafide fan of Ms. Kurella and owe her my suddenly evolved level of knowledge. You can truly appreciate the monumental amount of labor and skill that went into making each precious inch of fine lace after reading this terrific book!