This flounce worked in embroidered net Limerick lace is part of a collection of lace and patterns that the donor's mother, Edith Mary Georgeson (nee Lester), brought to Australia in 1912. Edith Mary, originally from County Cork in Ireland, had been a professional lacemaker making mostly hand-embroidered machine made net lace of the kind known as Limerick lace. Limerick lace was one of the laces credited with rescuing many poor families from starvation during the numerous crop failures of the 19th century. Other equally notable laces made at this time were Carrickmacross, another embroidered lace, Youghal needle lace and Irish (relief) crochet.

Edith was married in Cork, Ireland, in 1906 and came out to Australia with her husband George six years later. The donor was then six months old. George Georgeson was taking up a position with the Commonwealth Oil Refineries and the family settled in Sydney. This Limerick lace flounce was made for her wedding as is evident in its design of true lovers' knots and cornucopia ('horns of plenty').

This flounce for a wedding dress was made by Mary Edith Lester in County Cork, Ireland in around 1900-1906. There are two main kinds of Limerick lace. One has the outlines tamboured (chain stitched) with a hook on machine made net, and the other has the outlines worked with a needle in running stitch. Sometimes the lace combines both tambouring and 'run work'. Both kinds have the design motifs decorated with needle made filling stitches which create different delicate textures. The design outlines are drawn on architect's linen or tracing paper and placed either in front of the worker or under the net and usually have only the briefest indications of which filling stitch is to be used, presumably allowing the maker to make the final decision.

This flounce worked in embroidered net Limerick lace is part of a collection of lace and patterns that the donor's mother, Edith Mary Lester, a professional lacemaker in County Cork, brought to Australia in 1912. According to the donor the Limerick lace flounce was made for her mother's wedding in 1906 when she married George Georgeson from Wick, Scotland. On file are copies of Edith's wedding photographs in which she is wearing the dress featuring the flounce.

Flounce, embroidered net Limerick lace, and pattern, [cotton] / linen, made by Edith Mary Lester, Cork, Ireland, 1900-1906

A flounce probably made in cream coloured cotton featuring the 'horn of plenty' and the 'true lovers' knot' within the design, which are decorated with elaborate filling stitches. Accompanying the flounce is a paper pattern featuring the designs of the 'horn of plenty' and 'true lovers' knot' which were used to decorate the lace.

Made: Cork, Ireland; 1900 - 1906

Pattern marked.

2007/186/1

1900 - 1906