Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Lace making (bobbin lace)

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
  • Ageing practitioners: This is a serious threat to the future of bobbin lace making. Whilst the numbers of practitioners are still high, many practitioners are at or past retirement age. The craft has not enjoyed the revival that has been seen in other textile crafts such as knitting and crochet.
  • Decline in numbers: Whilst the numbers of bobbin lace makers are still high, the numbers of skilled practitioners has declined by around 30% since the Red List data has been collected.
  • Lack of training routes: There are very few opportunities to learn bobbin lacemaking and the accredited routes such as City & Guilds are no longer available. At the start of the lace revival in the second half of the 20th century Devon County Council was still organising Honiton lace classes and training teachers, while the WI began running sessions for new lace teachers. Some Adult Education organisations have required a qualification for teaching adults, however this rarely, if ever, relates specifically to teaching lace making.
  • Skills issues – Bobbin lace making skills are mostly held by older makers and are often not being transmitted to a younger generation of makers. Whilst there are still some young people are learning at lace groups, makers have raised concerns that the numbers of young people taking up the craft has not increased enough to ensure that the craft will remain vibrant.
  • Market issues: Bobbin lace making is not a commercially viable activity and hasn’t been for over a hundred years. Very few lacemakers sell their work as the time needed to work most pieces means that it is rarely possible to earn a reasonable rate per hour. It remains a rewarding hobby with a few lacemakers earning some income from teaching and writing.
  • Lack of awareness: Bobbin lace making faces a number of outdated myths, such as the belief that lace requires immense patience, and is only suitable for doilies—none of which are true.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

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Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.