bobbinet

Bobbinet is a type of machine-made net, typically crafted from cotton, silk, or nylon, and characterized by its hexagonal mesh. The term "bobbinet" is a blend of "bobbin" and "net".1

The production of bobbinet is a sophisticated process that evolved from the desire to replicate handmade laces. Early machines, like the Heathcot or bobbinet machine, arranged warp threads and used bobbins wound on carriages that moved between these warp threads. This intricate movement created a wrapping motion, laying threads diagonally to form the net.2

Bobbinet serves as a foundation for various decorative applications. It is used as a base for appliqué work, creating durable, non-run hosiery. When heavily sized, it finds use in millinery and veiling. Lille lace, for instance, features a fine bobbinet background with a hexagonal mesh. Bobbinet lace is also a component in tape lace, where it forms the background for patterns made of tape. In application lace, bobbinet can serve as the background net onto which decorative motifs are stitched.2345