Lace and Pearls

Whenever I see a beautiful piece of lace or a string of cultured pearls, I think of my grandmother. The details in a fine piece of cotton lace make it truly a work of art . The history of lace goes back hundreds of years and seems to originate in Europe, specifically in Italy and France. The region of each design is often included in the name of the lace, such as Florentine Lace from Florence.

My Nana used different patterned lace for various items she sewed. A floral trim would be the exact accessory for a lady’s slip and a fine weave cotton would be the perfect accent for a Christmas table runner. She knew how to match the best style and texture of lace with the articles she was creating and they always turned out beautifully.

Equally as wonderful was my grandmother’s appreciation for pearls. She had a modest string of cultured pearls that she wore to church and to special events. Nana passed away while I was in college and, therefore, she was not physically at my wedding which was the week after I obtained my masters’ degree. How blessed I was though to have her there in spirit as I wore my mom’s wedding gown trimmed with gorgeous lace and my grandmother’s strand of pearl. Her presence was felt in each and every step I took walking down the aisle in Mom’s lace and Nana’s pearls.