We are an active group of members who share our passion for lacemaking and speak the language of lace! As a group we have a wealth of knowledge and resources that we willingly share with others.
The Minnesota Lace Society (MLS) was established in October 1977 in order to provide education for the membership and the public concerning all aspects of lace. We do this through programs, workshops, special classes, public demonstrations, monthly meetings, and other events.
Our lacemakers create beautiful handmade lace using many different techniques, collect antique lace, and make tools used in lacemaking. All of us are students, learning new techniques about our favorite type of lace or a technique that we've never tried before. In the past few years we have provided beginner lacemaking classes that are open to the public for a small fee during the summer, and have enjoyed bringing new skills to our students.
Our business meetings are the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. from September through May. Each session has a lace-related program or event. In addition to the business meetings, we may get together for lace days - sometimes at a group setting, such as "Lace at the Library" or at each other's homes. We generally continue to get together during June, July, and August on the second Monday although no business is conducted during these sessions.
The membership year begins on September 1st. If you'd like to join us and help us in our mission to learn about lace and provide lace information in the community, please fill out and send in the Membership Form and fee. All types of lacemakers and lacemaking are welcome. We have a special membership rate for young lacemakers. As a member you will have:
- The camaraderie of others who share your passion for lace.
- An opportunity to participate in the monthly meetings, including voting privileges. The meetings are held regularly to provide updates to all members about our recent activities and to let members bring in their recent lace for a bit of show and tell. Our programs about a lace-related topic start about 7:00 p.m.
- The chance to help the society in their mission by taking on a leadership position within MLS. We have elections each spring for two of the four elected positions, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition to elected positions, our members volunteer to help with different activities in small groups of members, such as programs, demonstrations, education, newsletters, social media, and special events.
- Our monthly newsletter e-mailed to you. Each newsletter includes lace-related information about our group, information from other groups of which our group is a member, and a lace pattern from one of the many different lacemaking techniques. Our members are diverse in their lacemaking skills so we offer patterns in many different laces!
- An opportunity to participate at society-sponsored demonstrations. We regularly demonstrate at the Minnesota State Fair for two days each year in the Creative Activities building. We travel to Owatonna to spend time in the Dunnell House during Steele County Historical Society functions. We will also demonstrate at other events when asked.
- Access to lace-related videos, books, and publications to expand your skillset in lacemaking:
- MLS has a set of videos that is brought to each meeting that members can borrow to learn a technique of interest. We also have sets of syllabus-style educational materials available to borrow.
- MLS is a member guild of the Textile Center in Minneapolis. The Textile Center's mission is to honor textile traditions, promote excellence and innovation, and inspire widespread participation in fiber art. With this affiliation our members have an opportunity to borrow books from their library. MLS has about 500 lace-related books and publications in the library that are available to borrow, along with all the other books available on many different fiber-related topics.
- MLS is a charter chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc. (IOLI). This organization was formed for charitable, educational, and literary purposes. IOLI has a lending library of lace-related publications for members as well as member proficiency programs in different types of lacemaking. MLS has a grant program to provide funding for the IOLI proficiency program to members who also participate in MLS activities throughout the year. IOLI co-sponsors an annual convention with one of their member chapters. At the convention, participants have a multitude of classes available to sign up for from lacemaking experts.
Mailing address
Minnesota Lace Society
3000 University Ave SE, Box #1
Minneapolis, MN 55414