Here’s my 1850s Carrickmacross lace day cap which I’ve embroidered myself.

I used unbleached cotton bobbinet tulle, fine sheer (UK) muslin, cotton thread, cotton Valenciennes lace and blue silk ribbon.

Bobbinet tulle was produced since 1808 in the UK. It took me quite a while to find cotton bobbinet tulle – and it’s rather an expensive fabric. 😉 The small muslin scraps were left over from my Victorian sheer muslin dress. The other things I had already in my stash.

To make Carrickmacross lace, bobbinet tulle is stretched in an embroidery hoop. Muslin is laid on top, and the pattern is outlined with thick cotton thread. Then all is sewn together with small overhand stitches. After that, the muslin is cut away. Here’s a close-up of Carrickmacross lace.

I made a flower and leaves (carrickmacross lace is best made with a continuous outline) and small eyelets.

I finished the edge with vintage Valenciennes cotton lace, and trimmed the Victorian cap with lace and blue silk ribbon streamers.

Here’s a beautiful mid-Victorian Carrickmacross lace cap trimmed with silk ribbon and flowers. Isn’t it just adorable? 🙂 Here’s another Irish Carrickmacross cap, a Carrickmacross lace cap trimmed with lace and pink silk ribbons, a ca. 1860s Carrickmacross lace cap and an 1850s blonde lace cap trimmed with pink and green silk ribbons. On this 1848 fashion plate you see a lady wearing a day cap with lace lappets and silk ribbons. And here’s an 1850 fashion plate with lace day caps with lace lappets trimmed with silk ribbons.

Here are close-up pictures of my Carrickmacross lace cap and here I’m wearing the Victorian cap: with my 1850s sheer muslin dress, with rag curled hair, and while dressing. 😉

I’ve also made an 1850s Limerick lace day cap.