Guipure lace is a type of bobbin lace. It connects the motifs with bars or plaits rather than net or mesh. Guipure is a French word. It used to describe lace which has a gimp or thicker thread to outline the pattern, but this is no longer used. Genoese lace was a guipure lace.

What is the difference between guipure and lace?

While guipure is generally classed in the lace category, it is not made on lace looms, but on embroidery machines, and this is what makes it different. Guipure is embroidery that has no mesh backing. This is what makes it easy to distinguish from lace. The lace is lighter and always has mesh backing.

What is guipure lace made of?

It is manufactured by first embroidering rayon and cotton thread on to acetate and then soaking the acetate in acetone to dissolve it, leaving the intricate embroidery as the finished product. This makes Guipure lace particularly strong and durable.