The tradition of lace-making in Rauma is several centuries old. The first preserved document in Rauma parish dates back to the beginning of the 17th century and on paintings from that time we can spot clothes, decorated with lace. The decades between the late 18th and the mid-19th centuries when bonnets with lace trimmings were fashionable, are considered as the golden era of Rauma lace. Women used to wear these bonnets to church and at various special occasions. In these times there were up to 600 lace-making pillows in use daily in Rauma and nearly every woman in town could make lace. Despite the fact that lace-making represented only an additional source of income, making the most sophisticated patterns required absolute commitment and days-long work from the lace-makers.

In the 1840s the popularity of bonnets began to decrease. Professional lace-makers thus suffered hardships. In the 1890s only few elderly women in Rauma knew how to make the most sophisticated bobbin laces. At that time the bobbin lace from Rauma also fought a battle with the cheap, industrial-made lace.

The interest in lace in Rauma was newly revived in the early 20th century. Since 1946 the lace-makers of Rauma have had their own lace-making association which continues the tradition of organising lace-making courses and exhibitions. Nevertheless, their main achievement is the revival of old patterns.

Miina Jokela
summary: Mirjam Gnezda



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