In general, torchon is regarded as the simplest kind of lace. Nevertheless, some of the more important and complicated patterns can be both interesting and ingenious. The ground is a simple reseau and there are several varieties. Sometimes a mixture of reseaux is used, making the lace appear richer.

The motifs (solid parts) are made of wholestitch, halfstitch or twisted stitch. The designs are always geometric. Special motifs such as spiders, fans and palmettes add to the decoration and sometimes points d’esprit are used (leaves or tallies).

Under the influence of Scandinavian countries, outlining threads, not previously characteristic of torchon laces, have been introduced.

Torchon is a coarse pillow lace made of a soft, loosely twisted thread. The patterns are simple, and this lace is used to trim muslin and heavy linen garments. It is manufactured in many places in Europe, especially in Saxony, where it is made by men.

Torchon Photos

• Torchon Sampler from Building Torchon Lace Patterns by Bridget Cook. The sampler was worked in three parts. First the center was worked in strips up and down. The strips were joined as the work progressed. Then the outer edge was worked. This is a picture of the outer edge as it was being finished. Then the two pieces were joined.
• Torchon Picture Mat a gift for my sister Jenny for Christmas 1999.
• Black Lace Fan
• Torchon Mat
• 2 Small Mats

Torchon Links

Torchon Bibliography

• 101 Torchon Lace Patterns by Lewis
• Before Grey Rabbit by Dorothy Cox
• Building Torchon Lace Patterns by Bridget M Cook (4 Lang)
• Drafting Torchon Lace Patterns by Alexandra Stillwell,
• Making Lace With Little Grey Rabbit by Dorothy Cox
• One Hundred and One Torchon Patterns by Robin Lewis
• Pillow Lace Book 3 Torchon Lace Part 1 by Margaret Hamer and Kathleen Waller
• Pillow Lace Book 4 Torchon Lace Part 2 by Margaret Hamer and Kathleen Waller
• Stropkant I – The Technique of Torchon, Book 1 by M.J. Geers-Vermeulen (Out-of- print)
• Study of Torchon Grounds 12 Patterns with Corners by Julie Hendrick
• Study of Torchon Spiders, A by Julie Hendrick
• Technique of Torchon, The by Vera Cockuyt
• Technique of Torchon, The by Pamela Nottingham
• Torchon Jewelry by Karen Thompson
• Torchon Lace Book, The by Christine Springett
• Torchon Lace for Today by Jennifer Fisher
• Torchon Lace Patterns by Henk Hardeman
• Torchon Lace Workbook, The by Cook, Bridget
• Torchon Lacemaking, A Manual of Techniques by Elizabeth Wade
• Touch of Lace, A – Fine Torchon Patterns by Beryl Gorse
• Wedding Lace Portfolio by Colgan