Meet Elaine - Lacemaking

In the lead up to our Heritage Crafts Weekend on 26 & 27 July, we take a moment to meet some of the traditional craftspeople that will be at the event. This time, we’re looking at the craft of lacemaking with expert reenactor Elaine who can often be seen at the Museum bringing history to life for many different time periods.

Lacemaking in the UK has a long history, dating back to at least the 16th century. It was introduced by Flemish and Huguenot refugees fleeing religious persecution, who brought their skills to regions like Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire. These areas became renowned for their distinctive bobbin lace styles. 

By the 17th and 18th centuries, lacemaking had become a vital cottage industry, with entire communities—men, women, and children—contributing to its production.  Gradually, machinery was developed which could replicate increasingly complex lace patterns, making hand-made lace uneconomical, and eventually bobbin lace became the craft skill it remains today.

Our historical lacemaker Elaine is a reenactor and a regular costumed volunteer at the museum.  She’ll talk to visitors about the history of lace as a cottage industry and show how it was produced, in our Haddenham cottage, where lace was made by the residents in the early to mid-19th century.