I spent 18 years in the lace trade as a threader. My husband retired at 75, having put in 50 years as a weaver. This is hard, loud work but I would love to sit down right now and knock out a set and thread it back again, just for old times' sake. Unfortunately, Rhode Island, USA has no more lace work. The mills are closed, the machines sold. This video made me glad that the old machines are still being run in France, and I hope they are able to get the young help they need as the older ones retire.I last worked in a lace mill in 1998. I had to take up other work as the mills were closing down. A lace weavers job is very difficult, hard work and takes time to learn. In my husband's day he started as an apprentice and worked up. He did his Army stint and came back to the machines. Once he retired, he missed those old machines very much. He made some very pretty lace. Thanks for the memories. I miss those old machines as well.

I will never complain about threading my sewing machine bobbin ever again. Just astounding!

i am completely blown away by the engineering of these machines. The amount of planning, calculations, and machining required to build these and all without the use of modern computers is astounding to me.

Watching these incredible machines doing their thing with such precision after 100 years of use makes me even more annoyed with companies like Apple that build failure and obsolescence into their gadgets so that we’ll replace them every 2-5 years. So wasteful!

I feel the product is reasonably priced for what it is. Also, the machines are truly beautiful and their intricate mechanisms remind me of a mechanical watch especially at 3:07.

I'm so happy to finally see my father's work (He's the gentleman who wore glasses and has a tatoo) And besides, I'm french, I just translated the sentences. If you ever have any questions, tell me in french😅

Lace guy: We are selling holes! Donut makers: Finally, someone gets it

The most incredible thing about these looms is something they barely mentioned - the jacquard punch cards. They were not only an innovation for weaving, but for technology as a whole. A census taker in the US looked at those cards (which work by allowing some pins of thread to pass through and stopping others in order to form the patterns) and decided to use that system to speed up the counting process for information in the 1890s census. Punch cards were then incorporated into early computers by companies such as IBM as a way to store data all the way up into tbe 80s. We went to the moon using computers reliant on jacquard loom punch card techonology! I love that these looms are still in use today.

What a great video. Having worked on looms made in the 1800s I must say the looms in this video are immaculately clean. Maybe it's because the thread is finer than the cotton I had worked with, but there is hardly any lint on the gears of their loom. That's impressive. I'm also surprised to see hardly any ear protection worn by these folks. Those machines are very loud, and I can't imagine working for long periods of time around those looms with no ear protection. The parts for these looms are incredibly hard to get if something breaks. They probably have their own machinist on call to make whatever they need. Thanks for all the work that went into this.

If we, as consumers, invested in quality and took care of our purchases, we might not be throwing so much away. We have become gluttons in our purchases. 40 years ago I sewed a garment from black silk and hand sewn crystal embellishments. I paid 70$ a yard. I still have it and cherish it. I’m 64 now.

I'm French and my grandma worked in this business when she was young, but without the machines: she had to use a hand looming (weaving?) machine and it was soooo much work. It was a very hard job and she was relieved when she stopped working there, but she's made sure to let her grandkids understand how much work was behind laces from the Northern factories. I remember visiting a museum with her where she showed me the old machines she had to use and the newer ones that now do the job she used to have to do! It's very impressive

Man, that machinery is absolutely incredible. A work of art on itself even

My grandmother was a true lady. She had different sizes and shapes of lace throughout her house. She had a round table in an entryway with a large round lace doily on it. A vase was in the middle. Over the years, with age, dust, numerous hand washings.... they yellowed. She went into the hospital and was there for 3 weeks. I had a few relatives help me come in and paint, clean and really brighten the place up. I made a sink full of that oxyclean for the very first time. I had a round white yellowed lace doily. I had a sink of mild warm water. I put the oyxclean in a container with hot water to dissolve it all. I poured that in the sink of water. I placed the doily into the water and literally almost gasped as if I was on a tv commercial. It almost instantly turned white with brown water behind. I was floored and flabberghasted. I laid down two bath towels on the counter. I rinsed the doily and then placed it on the two towels topped by two more. Afterwards, I hung them over two chairs to finish drying. It looked like it was worth a million bucks. We did all of her lace. When she got home, she noticed that immediately and had a tear in her eye. She said they were her mothers and back then they knew how to make quality linens and lace. Oh, we brought a ton of her knickacks, etc to the sink to clean. She had a lady with a hole beind her to put flowers in. She had artifical flowers and they were yellowed. I grabbed them and pushed them down into the oxyclean water, almost as a joke and they too whitened like brand new. We rinsed them and put them on towels to dry. So that product works for that silk flowers.

In Indonesia this lace is essential for the making of Kebaya (our national dress) especially for bridal kebaya. It's very beautiful and expensive! My mom handover her kebaya to me. Until today I still use it. This lace is everlasting!

I fully appreciate the people who set up the looms and run them but the ladies who check and repair the errors, are absolutely wonderful.

I used to think lace was embroidered fabric with cut-outs until I found a drawer in my grandma’s house filled with real handmade lace by my great-grandmother. When my grandma told me what it was I was shocked that I had lived a quarter of a century and never saw real lace. Most people don’t even know what it’s supposed to look like which I bet is a contributor to the decline in demand. But once you see and feel it, you can’t unsee it. The way it billows and falls is ethereal. Absolutely exquisite! It is love at first sight

I crochet lace using thread (very small items) so I appreciate the work that goes into this. Watching a piece come together is magical. This lace is worth every penny and more.

Those machines are a work of art in themselves. The talent to devise them is astounding. Respect. Such a wonderful trade. Who wouldn't appreciate a piece of their beautiful lace.

Growing up my great grandmother and grandmother had leaver lace in different places all over their homes. The quality and beauty is beyond amazing. The looms and threads are so delicate and take such a precise eye and touch. I actually got to hold a wedding dress made out of leaver lace the texture and beauty is exquisite. This art form I truly hope and pray carries on for many more generations. Ty for bringing back wonderful memories and for this awesome video 💕

I love the precision and passion with which these laces are made. I love that there's someone who carefully goes over the lace to repair it! They are serious about their craftsmanship and I admire that.

This is incredible! I hope exposure like this helps the industry. I once got to work with leavers lace on a wedding dress. It was such a finer quality than what we commonly see. I wonder if technology can be utilized to keep the looms working in the future. Could 3d printed parts help with broken parts if no other could be found? It would be interesting to find out!

The fact that someone design and made that machine and process is amazing.

I've been looking for good lace for so long now, hoping to find something other than the quickly manufactured crap you usually find. To know now that this exists has me so excited! I've always had to do my own lacework by hand, and it's such a pain, and it's always far too chunky for what I'd like. This has me over the moon about possibilities now! To create new patterns for lace, to go outside the normal possibilities and offer something completely different? Knowing now that it's possible with such machinery? Man, I could just kiss you all. This has given me hope that my dreams could become reality. It may mean more expense, but it's always worth it for the good art. And this? This is good art.

Ok so I know that I'm autistic and I can get /very/ passionate about a handful of topics. This is one of them. I've watched this video 4 times over the last 2 days and I still get goosebumps Thank you (for sharing information and/or for reading my comment)

Old machinery and craftsmanship is something else 😯

I now have whole new appreciation for lace.. wow

I feel like this is one of the only things on So Expensive that is actually worth its price

All of the baptismal gowns and communion dresses in our family are made from leavers lace. Each one has a unique pattern. My communion dress has little doves and lilies in the pattern. And my daughter got to wear it when it was her turn. I hope it holds up should I have a grand daughter some day.

I had the occasion too visit the lace museum in Calais. It was wonderful and they make some demonstration on old lace machine. If anybody has the occasion passing through Calais, take time too visit it! 🥰

This is one of the lesser expensive "so expensive" things explored on this channel.

I have a huge fascination with French lace because it has a different look to me especially when it’s used in bridal wear

I proudly use Jean Bracq lace for my lingerie brand TéAmore. Seeing the whole process makes me so much more thankful that people like this exist - those who cherish slow fashion, quality things and old craft. They are such lovely people, a true family business, and the lace is exquisite. I hope it's all up and up from here, Julien!

Lace is actually making a bit of a comeback, but I'm not sure if it works with the high price-point of this particular lace. I do enjoy seeing those old machines in action, and hope the industry can survive the lull and previously waning interest in lace as a design element.

My dad repaired looms at a textile mill. They made beautiful intricate upholstery fabrics. That business just closed last year. So sad what they allowed the pandemic to destroy.

I see why some all lace wedding dresses are so expensive. The meticulous details and the time it takes to actually design and create the pattern is amazing 🙂

Your consistency and quality of content never disappoints!

What an intricate process! Mad respect for both the operator and designer as well.

Wow! As a fashion designer this is amazing to see and learn! I wish I could be there at the factory. I would love to learn how to repair the lace and be apart of the creating of the lace! Seeing those early 19 century design books...wow! Lucky guy!

This is an irreplaceable art. We just can't lose this! This is the side of Covid I had not seen - the industries that might be killed entirely because of it!

Le savoir faire à la française.... C'est rare de voir une boîte qui n'a pas tout remplacer par des machines modernes... Très beau travail !

Good christ, this is so fantastic! Everything in this factory is an art. I can say that whatever the price is totally worth the product. I am an occasional tailor and I never heard such lace that wide. I think that's easy to cut and sew for any desired measurements than the cheap lace nowadays. One day, I'll buy at least a meter of this piece of art!

That would make an amazing tourist stop. To see all the machines going and everyone working at their highly skilled jobs. Verycool.

How can one be not impressed with this kind of dedication and challenges of this special lace production. . . I am saddened by the thoughts of Jean at the end. It is a result of economics and difficulty of recruitment. However, I want to wish his company and staff all the best. Be safe and prosper.

This was riveting! Reminds me very much of a long conversation I had with an old man working a loom on the isle of Harris, where tweed is traditionally made on man-operated looms without electricity or other power.

I used to have a few sheets that hung from the post in my bed to make an arch shape. They were always so beautiful and impressive to look at and I hope to find more one day 🙂

i have a couple lingerie pieces made from leavers lace, i knew it was made using large machines but id never seen them in action like this before! very cool i hope this craft stays alive

I pray that this exquisite art continues for generations to come. It would be so sad to see such skill and passion leave this world.

This is mind blowing. I hope this art continues for a long time. Something I wish I could do but my eyes. Kudos to all the workers.

something about those large, loud machines producing such a delicate product is really moving

Machines from the Golden age of mechanical engineering.

What beautiful, creative talented people. This tradition must continue, we just can’t leave all this Beaty behind.

Even when I was a child I always thought lace was so elegant. I made sure my wedding dress had lace, lace makes the dress so classy and timeless.

France really is the fashion capital of the world

One of the reasons why HAUTE COUTURE is expensive. These artisans are the pride in their respective industry.

Stunning craftsmanship of both the lace and the antique looms they use. Expensive, yes, but given that it takes years to become adept at weaving the patterns on these wonderful machines, it's worth it. You get what you pay for, and here, you get decades of experience at working these incredible looms, creating patterns, and hand finishing to create the gorgeous, delicate lace.

I have always loved lace, leavers lace, bobbin or needle lace. One of my grandmothers born in Brittany, F had made her own bedroom curtains and bedspread in needle lace. She was also doing bobbin lace doilies and gave them as presents. I was fascinated by her dexterity. She once said that lace making was a school of patience knowing it isn't one of my virtues. I still have some samples of her work at home.

I am from Britanny (it's the western peninsula of France) and we have our own culture (a Celtic culture like Wales' and Ireland's) and our traditional women's hats are made from this lace. Every city has its own design and type of hat.

Love lace ! One of my favorite childhood memories of all my aunts houses !!!!

I’m a tailor in LA working in the movie / tv costume business. I have a button hole machine that makes suit buttonholes … it’s from 1908 and it still works like a dream. It looks a bit like the lace machines…. I treasure it.

Absolutely amazing video! I'm a seamstress, designer, knitter, spinner, and loom weaver, and I absolutely loved watching this and will share it with my groups! My mom worked for decades in the Garment Center in NYC in alot of designer companies, and I remember all the amazing and beautiful fabrics she use to work on. But it hasn't been the same for decades, so many companies have closed down since then (I was doing bridal as well as regular fashions)- even half the buildings are even there anymore! 😣😔

It is too beautiful with its tiny very stiching by hand and by the weaving machine @ this beautiful lace factory amazing what human weavers can do it is so beautiful but it is a specialised talent that some people have or learn to do thank you so much for sharing the beautiful video @ Business Insider👍👍😀😀😀🌹❤️❤️

Anyone with a Russian grandma knows what these are. You got them at the dinner table. Under flower vases. Our old box TV sat on one.

Where artistry meets engineering. Those workers are so amazing! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I’m so in love with the looms. Here is a metaphor for love. The strength of this giant machine to make something so fine, and delicate, and precious.

He looks fabulous for doing this since 1849! 😂 (jk) Absolutely beautiful workmanship. Thank-you for sharing this information with amazing visuals.

What an excellent documentary, thank you. Tremendous amount of work and skill to please the eye with beautiful patterns. Labor of love for the art for sure, people love artistic things.

It's wonderful to see these weavers lace looms still working. I hope the industry recovers and picks up and this wonderful factory continues into the future.

Stunning lace, absolutely stunning

I got into making bobbin lace a couple years ago, and it’s really interesting to see what the lace industry has become in the modern day

High quality videos with very informative content and always offering a nice and vast variety of interesting video. Thanks for the hard work and endless effort, we really do appreciate the time and money you have put in to entertain us and to enrich our knowledge about such fascinating topics.

It’s an impressively beautiful and kind work made by machine. Old - and at the same time : timeless - machines. People set carefully the machine to do the same delicate patterns / designs. A challenging work. I love lace.

I hope they can continue to make this even if I cant afford it. it is a work of art I hope we never loose it.

When we talk about ‘sustainability’, isn’t this sustainable already? It is sustainable as well in terms of culture and labour. We use ‘ethical practice’ as an excuse to avoid paying reasonable salary and replace these artists by machines. The world will become more sustainable when we start to care. It’s as simple as this.

Me as an adult: Completely appalled at the fact that as a child I use to poke holes, with my finger, in the fancy lace my grandmother had. No wonder she got so upset about it!!

Mannnn and to think my grandmother used to make these by hand. Interesting to know they had machines.

So interesting ! It’s our heritage ; thank you for making it known throughout the world ! 🇫🇷🙏🏻❤️ C’est tellement intéressant ! Ceci est notre patrimoine ; Merci de le faire connaître dans le monde.

It takes the skill of an iron worker, the ingenuity of. machinist and dexterity of car mechanic to create art with spiders webs. Totally awesome.

Beautiful and beautifully complicated!

And to find these talented articulate humans is a art on its own goodness me. My great grandmother was a millinery wonderful woman and mum of 7 children she had to survive in the war times this sort of thing she made was so beautiful. So the sort of people that does this is wow . Lovely vid. I wish them every hope of doing even better than ever before. As very hard times now . We can’t lose these people. 💥

They keeps producing newer design, as well. That is just amazing and one of a way to keep the tradition alive.

No matter how you look at it, it's still machine made. You should do an episode on handmade lace. Those are truly expensive and require almost supernatural skill and passion. And patience.

"Despite machines are so old"..... why you should assume old machines do not work fine just because they are old? 😟..... generally they were made with outstanding craftmanship and made to last.... something we cannot say from modern machines

Happy they are built to last. We need to come back to that mindset.

I absolutely love highly skilled craftspeople.

I would love to learn this astounding and beautiful art work -its sad to see artisan trades die out and I truly hope this business will survive - best wishes 👏❤️🇨🇦

It's amazing. I respect the artistry. I still can't help wondering if the new machines couldn't be designed to still produce the woven lace, but computerized instead of punch cards. That is how computers first started producing computations - with punch cards. It would still require the generational knowledge, but reality is that the current generation has zero interest in these endeavors. Very sad. There was a mill that embroidered beautiful fabric, and no local people wanted to buy it, so all equipment was sold to Turkey.

Absolutely incredible. The skill and patience required every step of the manufacturing process is intense.

Love this series following for past 3 years

I loooooovvveee lace!!! Always wanted to know how it was made. ❤

Those machines are incredible!

Wow, stunning lace, skill, and dedication to an amazing craft. Much respect and appreciation to these artists. 😌💞👏🏻

This make me remember a fashion designer from Argentina. Javier Saiach. Amazing dresses made with lace, etc.

I would love to learn this trade, so beautiful

Beautiful machine. Beautiful lace. Beautiful company to keep this going.

I hope this lace art will never die.

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you very much for the documentary. I've always wondered how lace was made. I would have loved a career fixing the holes in lace and a dabbling I bit in threading the machines. I hope they do a KZfaq channel on lace because that would definitely increase many people's desire to have original lace.

It is a beautiful French lace...my favourite ❤️

I would finish french studies and relocate to learn this trade. The fashion industry should go back to the quality and longevity and decrease cost by a bit to make it more affordable. It’s things like this that mass production could never mimic the quality of this art form

i cant imagine how the person who invented these machines came up with them, let alone make them!!! this is so amazing! I'd love to go in and watch! To be some one who fixes it would be a lifetime honor

“We are selling holes” 😂