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Weaving and plaiting

Its place of origin is the western part of the Erzgebirge (ore mountains). In Freiberg it is taught by the adult education centre – bobbin lace-making.
Bobbin laces were developed as a means to create a solid but decorative edging for garment hems. By varying and combining simple pleating techniquesthe loose fringe was turned into an ornamentation of rich people’s clothes. The idea to produce this plaitwork independantly and sew it on afterwards probably simplified production processes and the first bobbin lace was created – the so-called plaited lace. From Italy the technique was transmitted to Spain or the Spanish Netherlands and afterwards to France. But the earliest bobbin laces from the Erzgebirge can also be dated back to the 16th century. Barbara Uthmann, the widow of an entrepreneur from Annaberg dealing in iron and coal, is said to have played a major part in the promotion of bobbin lace making in a putting-out system. She reportedly solicited orders for up to 900 lace makers.