Bobbin lace triangle (from corner)

Click here for patterns for triangles.

A bobbin lace edging to a mat can take a long time to work. A triangle replacing or sewn onto a corner is a much quicker way to decorate a mat. There are two ways to work such a triangle, either as part of a strip, or as the corner of a square edging. This page describes the corner triangle. Click here for the strip triangle.

This way of producing a triangle is start working on a diagonal and construct a triangle, then turn the pillow to produce another triangle facing a different way. This is half of a square mat.

Below is how the triangle fits into a normal corner of lace, and an example of a triangle pattern.

The start, being a diagonal, will probably require false pins for a neat start. Since you turn the pillow, the start and end make a straight line.

This method is different from the strip triangle method, because the long edge of the triangle, which gets sewn onto the fabric, is made up on the start and finish of the lace. Since finishes, in particular, are sometimes a little messy, this can be hidden as you do the sewing. Perhaps you could sew the edge of the fabric over the edge of the lace. On the other hand, this edge is not a footside, and so not particularly strong. It might be a good idea to sew firmly, perhaps with more than one line of sewing. At least make sure that you sew into any pin holes that you can see, and that the reef knots tying off the lace are pulled tight and won't work loose.

The advantages of making a triangle this way:

• The same number of bobbins will make a bigger triangle than the other method.
• The edges of the triangle are a proper lace edge, such as a headside or a footside. This means that they are attractive and strong.
• The messy finish with its reef knots can be hidden when you sew the triangle onto the fabric.

The disadvantages of making a triangle this way:

• The pattern is a corner, so it is necessary to learn how to work these. You need to turn the pillow while working it, so use a cookie pillow.
• The pattern is restricted in what can be actually in the corner. Since this is in the centre of the piece of lace, it is most obvious, and it can be visually less attractive.
• The part of the lace where you sew to the fabric is a diagonal start and finish, which can be weaker (see above).
• If you have a curvy headside, then it will be harder to sew the lace on top of the fabric. It would be better to replace the corner of the fabric by the lace.

The following shows the triangle from a strip on the left, compared to the triangle from a corner (this page) on the right.

© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index