Fragment of Band with Vegetal Motifs

From the Cleveland Museum of Art record

Textiles often incorporate multiple needlework techniques within a single piece. The insert in the center of this piece of lace is made using the cutwork technique. In cutwork, portions of the textile ground, such as a linen or cotton cloth, are cut away and threads are removed to create holes. The edges of the hole are then reinforced with embroidery and a pattern of needle lace can be created within the perimeter. Rather than adding to the cloth to create a design, the craftsperson removes threads to fabricate a pattern. The cutwork may have been inserted to replace a damaged area. Myrta Leonora Jones, the donor of this lace, was a women’s rights activist in Cleveland in the early 20th century.