Introduction
We’re happy to have you as a member of the Minnesota Lace Society (MLS)! We encourage you to join in our activities to enhance your enjoyment of lace and lace making. As a member you are able to participate in society events representing MLS, receive the newsletter, and be part of the leadership team. You are also affiliated to other organizations that may have offerings you will enjoy. Membership dues are paid annually and renewal memberships begin on September 1 for one year. The legal status of the group is a 501(c)(7) Social Club and the group qualifies for tax-exempt status.
Mission Statement
The mission statement for the Minnesota Lace Society is to provide education of, by, and for the membership and the public concerning all aspects of lace.
What is Lace?
Lace is defined as an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabrics, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric.
– From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MLS History
In 1977, responding to the growing popularity and need for the development of lace making crafts in the area, local members of the International Old Lacers, the only large American lace society, organized the Minnesota Lace Society. Meeting first in members’ homes and later at various locations in the Twin Cities, the Society has evolved to meet the diverse needs of a growing membership.
Through its history members of the society have made many types of lace, including bobbin lace, needle lace, tatting, crocheted and knitted lace, sprang, netting, woven lace, and Teneriffe.
The goal of the Society is education. Classes and study groups are led by teaching members, both privately to Society members and to the public at various locations, such as local needlework shops and historical museums. A portion of the monthly meetings is devoted to programs of how various types of lace are made, cared for, displayed and preserved.
Since the Society’s inception, members have demonstrated their lace making crafts to the public at the Minnesota State Fair, Festival of Nations, Fort Snelling, Ramsey House in St. Paul, Sibley House in Mendota, Murphy’s Landing in Shakopee, Kelly Farm in Elk River, Harkin Store in New Ulm, county fairs and numerous other events.
Press Information
The Minnesota Lace Society was founded in October 1977 in order to provide education of, by, and for the membership and the public concerning all aspects of lace. We do this through monthly meetings, workshops, special classes, public demonstrations, and other events. All types of lacemakers and lacemaking are welcome! Some of our members collect antique lace, others enjoy making tools others use, and most of us are students, always learning new techniques about our favorite type of lace.