Technique
Kenmare Lace is a needlepoint lace. It is made with a needle and thread. At the back are two pieces of cloth. Over that is the design. The design is covered with a layer of green or blue matt contact. These designs are copies of those hand-painted by the nuns at the Convent of The Poor Clare’s Kenmare over 100 years ago. The four layers are tacked (basted) together.
A thread is laid down outlining every part of the design. This thread is called the couching thread. The tiny stitches holding it down are called bridges. The design is filled in using the detached buttonhole stitch. These stitches are worked row upon row in from the couching thread. The size and tension of the stitches determine the pattern. When the whole design is filled in, the lace is ready to be removed from the backing. The tacking is removed, the two backing cloths are opened, and the bridging stitches are cut using a stitch ripper or sharp blade. This process allows the lace to be removed without affecting the integrity of the lace itself.
