Rajiv Visits the Metropolitan Museum of Art - Lace Making

Elena Kinagy-Loux has a very rare skill, she knows how to make intricate lace, by hand! She's also Collections Specialist (of Lace) at the Antonio Ratti Textile Center, Metropolitan Museum. Join Rajiv as he is introduced to the fascinating world of lace and its makers.

[sarahguidry]

I've whitened my linens, planted lavender to make a bundle, procured a chair to cane. I am a shuttle tatter. I see bobbin lace making in my future! Thanks for the inspiration.

[AnjaLSL]

Thank you for this. My 96-year old grandmother died last week. She could make lace just like this, slaughter animals, make marmelade and everything else on the farm (with 8 kids). I inherited her lace tools some time ago. This inspired me to use them. ❤

[friendlyforest]

for anyone who is curious: the introduction song is Chopin's Cantabile in B flat Major (Posth.) - just thought I'd mention it cuz I just started learning it and I always appreciate other commenters that share that stuff. hope this helps someone!

[ck]

Rajiv you have such a beautiful approach to everything. You’re such an inspiration to have awe about everyone and everything you encounter. You make everyone feel priceless and important. What a gift.

[DwarfDragonwulf]

This was fascinating! I just wish the camera person would have given us more close ups of that.

[riccabecker]

I hope the lace curator understood how genuinely excited Rajiv was about learning to make lace, because I felt the joy emanating in this video! I love the art of making things the traditional ways. (Like book binding, wink wink, which I tried and was AMAZING!) I so appreciate you publishing these sort of videos, thank you so much for sharing your interests with us! 💜💜

[doreestone]

I have been making different types of lace for decades. I’m 73 years old. I crochet lace, tat lace, and make bobbin lace. It always makes me happy when I see young people take an interest in learning these skills. It also saddens me when I think how the products made are considered too expensive because that leads to fewer people learning and making these irreplaceable items. Inevitably that is how the skills die out. But I keep trying to pass on my knowledge to all who want to learn.

[karenmccue]

I love the point where you say I have to go get my glasses and you come back with these incredible glasses! Everything about you is just extraordinary! I so appreciate the insight into these absolutely spectacular arts! You are doing history some amazing favors by keeping these arts alive and reigniting their interest with the world. Thank you so so much! ❤

[maryannfraley]

My mom learned to do bobbin lace in Paris from a book and became an internationally known lace teacher. Eventually she translated that book and made up a volume of her own lessons from her years of teaching. Yes, she taught me, and yes, i made several projects before giving it up for a craft a little less--demanding. Her first cushion, bobbins, and other tools have gone to my daughter. I'm so honored to have had lacemaking in my life.

[acflnnr]

As an art librarian, i this museum series 😍😍😍

[antoniafoster]

I saw her in a story he did on Instagram. She actually made the top she’s wearing. 💝

[jeannerolig]

In the '60's, I visited Belgium, and watched an elderly woman make handmade lace. I was fascinated! She barely looked at her work with the numerous bobbins, and the lace grew perfectly! Thank you for taking us along for this more-than-interesting lesson in a dying art skill!

[MSEmJ]

I’m with the bobbin lace atelier at the lace museum in Bruges Belgium and when I just started out my mind was blown too. Now tourists are fascinatingly looking over my shoulder while I am working 120 bobbins. 😅

[RoseCottageColleen]

What a wonderful video. I can remember an elderly aunt, long gone, who made lace. She also used a method called tatting, which used a different technique. You've inspired me to do more research. I love your channel. Thank you for taking the time to do this for us.

[axelwalter]

Cookie indeed comes from "koekje" in Dutch and they mean 100% the same. "Koek" is cake, and "koekje" is "small cake", the addition "je" making things small (like "zus" is sister and "zusje" is little sister). In Dutch we use "koekje" but also the word "biscuitje", which means the same. The origin of "biscuitje" is French ("biscuit").

[Knorrette]

As a Belgian, lace is still quite present in the houses of older people. We have several areas that are (were) renowned for their lace: Bruges, Brussels, Malines among others - each with their own style. I have several pieces from relatives that passed away but I never gave them much thought (other than to use in mixed media projects). After seeing this, I will be thinking twice about using them. Funny how someone on the other side of the globe can make one come aware of one's national heritage.

[the_historical_frog]

Thank you for this lovely video. As a young lacemaker I love seeing the craft being showcased, and having somebody outside of the craft being so thoughtful, and so interested was really great to see. Keep up the phenomenal work.

[lilyfig]

Absolutely mesmerizing!! Years ago, I attended a spinning workshop at a sheep farm in the Shenandoah Valley. A woman in our group worked on her bobbin lace project in between our workshop classes. She had hand carved her bobbins from fallen trees on her home property. It was fascinating to watch. Thank you, thank you, Rajiv and Elena for sharing the making of bobbin lace with us.

[jmcmurrah]

What a lovely way to spend Saturday morning breakfast, watching Rajiv discover a new craft. Thank you for this beautiful video and your enthusiasm for this beautiful artwork.

[halizazurah]

There is no fancy music, just them with their arts. We are expecting series of "Rajiv mastering lace" 🤩