Embroidered net lace first appeared in England at the end of the 1700s when the first lace machines were able to produce a tulle net which was then decorated with hand embroidery in imitation of the minimally decorated hand-made lace which was fashionable at that time. During the 1800s this lace became more and more sophisticated and distinct regional styles developed, such as the Irish laces of Carrickmacross and Limerick and English Coggeshall. At the end of the 1800s machines could also do the embroidery, but there remained a small market for the hand embroidered nets well into the 1900s, and they survived as an agreeable pastime for amateur embroiderers until the 1940s. Michell's work is an innovative example of the current revival of the technique. She herself is new to lacemaking but has been a well-known illustrator and tapestry weaver for many years.

''Stole 'n' Flock' was exhibited and selected for acquisition because of its interesting subject matter and choice of materials (wool instead of cotton or silk) and the decoration of the ground instead of the design elements - the reverse of the usual practice of filling the shapes and leaving the ground empty.

Wrap, 'Stole 'n' Flock', hand embroidered lace, wool / cotton net, designed and made by Pat Michell, Adelaide, South Australia, 2001

Wrap or stole of cotton net decorated with hand-embroidered outlines of sheep at both ends, and in the centre of each long edge. The sheep are standing in 'grass' which extends from the edge of the wrap forming an irregular fringe. The ground of the wrap is entirely filled with a regular pattern of lines and dots, while the outlines of the sheep are empty - the reverse of what is usually done with this technique. The wool is machine washable.

Patricia Michell, born in London, England in 1934, began her training in 1951 at the Cambridge Art School, England on a scholarship. She also trained at the South Australian School of Arts (1952-54) and has participated in various workshops concentrating on fibre craft techniques. From 1954-56, Pat was an illustrator for C.P Mountford at the South Australian Museum, including illustrating several limited edition manuscripts. Pat has been an active member on several committees including the Crafts Council of South Australia, 1972-74; Director of Woolgatherers Weavers Workshop, 1976-88; Handspinners and Weavers Guild of SA Inc., 1992- (Vice President 2001); The Lace Guild of Australia, SA branch, 1994 - (patron and member).

Pat first exhibited her work in 1968 and has held exhibitions of various crafts regularly including RMIT, Victoria and Caltex Award Exhibition, receiving an honourable mention (1978); Greenhill Galleries 'Walk a barefoot road' tapestry (1991); Dame Mary Durack Outback Awards - honourable mention (1997); Fibre Basket Weavers 'Bask in Colour' (2000); Powerhouse Museum - Second International Lace for Fashion Award - first runner-up (2001).

Since 1975, Pat has explored various craft techniques, concentrating on tapestry weaving, Kumihimo braids, hand-made textiles and since 1999 Limerick lace making and has taught many forms of weaving, particularly tapestry weaving. Pat is a talented artisan and is passionate about the craft of weaving and lace making, often encouraging others to exhibit their work.

Pat has said of 'Stole 'n' flock', "I like to draw with the thread and use the normal 'vessel' fillings for background so that the drawing doesn't become flattened with the fancy stitching."

Gift of Patricia Michell, 2006

2006/139/2

40 cm