Thread Testing for Lace Making: A Practical Reference for Thread Selection and Scale

Expected book publication: 2028

Let’s take the guesswork out of thread selection.

Like many lacemakers, I’ve struggled with what thread to use for the lace pattern I want to make. Even when a pattern recommends a specific thread, that thread may not be available, difficult to get, or I might want to try something I already have. Because of this, I’ve made too many lace pieces that turned out more open or dense than I wanted.

Thread Testing for Lace Making gives lacemakers a way to see how a thread will look in lace before committing to an entire project. Using a graduated grid that matches the lace you want to make (Bucks, Chantilly, Flanders, Binche, Tønder, Torchon, and Tape laces), you can see how your thread looks across different pin spacings.

The idea is simple.

If you use a tester grid and I use the same one, our results should be very similar. Where our results may differ is in preference. You might prefer a more open lace, while I like something denser. The important part is that we each have the information needed to make a choice before starting a pattern.

The goal is not to recommend the “right” thread. The goal is to help you understand what your lace will look like with a particular thread, before investing hours in making it. Whether you’re working with a discontinued linen thread or something you bought last week, the methodology remains the same. 

To build a practical reference for the lace community, I’m collecting labeled threads from lacemakers. Every contribution expands the reference library, representing new and old threads. 

Learn more about contributing thread for the reference library.

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