Our Mission

Since 1984, we have gathered to learn and appreciate the craft of lacemaking. We are a Charter Chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc (IOLI).

Our guild strives to promote interest in fine old laces and to preserve them for posterity, to study the history of lace, learn the names of laces, make lace and hold lace exhibits.

Our History

In 1984, Jean Doig began teaching a lacemaking class at a needlework shop in Westminster, CA. As the number of students grew, they saw the need for a regular community for lace appreciation, both of its making and history. At the first Southern California Lace Day, in November of 1984, there was a sign up sheet for interested persons. Letters were sent out to the list, and on November 18, 1984, the first meeting of the guild was held. We’ve been gathering once a month ever since.

In 1985 we adopted our bylaws and our charter application was sent to the International Old Lacers, Inc. (which would become the International Organization of Lace, Inc in 2012) a large governing body for lace guilds. We were presented with our charter at the annual convention later that year.

In 1986, we hosted the Annual Southern California Lace Day for the first time. The first Lace Days were held at the Veterans' Memorial Building in Culver City and the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Until 2021, they were held at Missiongathering in Pasadena, a church and arts center. Future Lace Days will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Riverside.

The Freeway Lace Guild has hosted the IOLI Annual Convention twice, once in 1992, and again in 2009. In 1992 Marilyn Niven and John and Kathy Hensel chaired the convention, in 2009 Francesca Moore Miller, Maria Provencher, and Lucie Cofield chaired.

Officers

Recent Newsletters

Browse our library of newsletters to learn more about what we do.