Where was Battenberg lace invented?

Battenberg lace is a type of tape lace that began in the United States. Tape lace is made with a straight tape which is bent into the shape required and sewn into position. The tape is usually machine made. This type of lace is also known as mixed tape lace, or mixed lace since it utilizes different techniques.

The name for this American lace was chosen in honor of a wedding of the Battenberg family, which occurred about the time a patent for making the lace was applied for at Washington in the late 1800's. The lace immediately became popular and helped revive the English lace-making industry.

Hobbyists and home crafters soon pursued the art of making Battenburg lace on both sides of the Atlantic. Originally, Battenberg lace was heavier than the other machine tape laces. Battenburg lace gets its distinctive look by combining machine-woven tapes with hand stitching.

The tapes used to make Battenburg lace form the structure of the design. Shapes resembling leaves, flowers and geometric figures are most common. The intricate stitches holding the tapes together often resemble mesh, netting or webs punctuated by embroidered rings. Battenburg lace remains a popular embellishment for table linens, curtains, novelty items & other housewares, as well as women's clothing and wedding gowns. Its generally white or ecru in color.