Antique Lace Galloons

Sometimes, it seems that all my posts overlap.  This is one of those times.

When I blogged about the shadow smocked Easter dress for my granddaughter, I mentioned that I would tell you about the lace I used.  And I will.

As I was gathering my thoughts, it occurred to me that the most interesting thing about the lace is the use of the galloon as insertion.  So I want to tell you about that and other galloons I have used for both insertion and edging.

French Val galloon, with two decorative edges, 1-3/4″ wide

The antique lace I used for my granddaughter’s Easter dress was purchased at a veritable once-in-a-lifetime estate sale where I still sometimes shop when I am in Dreamland.  The creamy French Val lace is a beautiful ivory color, achieved by age rather than dye. Two  bolts of a classic pattern available yet today came home with me.

French Val edging, 1-1/4″ wide

I found the intricacy of  the pattern in combination with the gentle color to be very pleasing.  But I needed insertion for the skirt.

If you look carefully at the scalloped edges on the galloon, you will see how easily it converted to an insertion.  Without the perfectly straight lines of traditional insertion, the galloon requires a little more care when it is stitched to the flat skirt fabric.  But it certainly passed.   The soft curve of the scallops make this do-able. More dramatically curved edges would have been a major challenge.

galloon used as insertion

I’ve used galloons in other garments.

fagoted galloon~two pieces of white edging fagoted together with yellow thread

For Laurel’s Easter dress two years ago, a very unique piece of fagoted galloon was used as insertion in the fancyband

and as edging on the butterfly sleeves.

On Chery Williams Wedding Ring Dress, a galloon was used for the edging on the sleeves, collar, and at the hem.  Of course, there was no gathering thread, so I first rolled and whipped one side over a white machine quilting thread.  It worked just fine.

And one more thing…..On a few occasions, I have split a wide galloon into two edgings.  By rolling and whipping over a heavy thread, quilting or 30/2 cotton, you can turn that galloon into twice as much serviceable yardage.

Galloons are most often used for straps on nightgowns or sundresses. Until I had a need to use them for other purposes, it hadn’t occurred to me that they were so versatile.

The next time you see a galloon, I hope you will think about the options it might offer.

This is my post for White Wednesday.  Check out the pretties there.