In 18th-century America, lacemaking was less a widespread craft of domestic necessity and more a specialized art form, primarily associated with luxury and social status. Unlike the production of utilitarian textiles, lacemaking—whether intricate bobbin lace created with numerous bobbins and pins, or delicate needle lace formed with a single needle and thread—demanded extraordinary patience, exceptional dexterity, and fine eyesight. This meticulous process created an openwork fabric of unparalleled beauty, used for decorative edgings on clothing, caps, cuffs, and ruffles. While much of the fine lace worn in the colonies was imported from European centers like France and England, a small number of skilled women in America did practice the craft, often for personal adornment or as a means of earning income for high-end clientele. Its importance in America, therefore, stemmed not from practical utility but from its symbolic value as a marker of wealth, refinement, and adherence to European fashion trends, showcasing a niche but highly esteemed artistic skill rather than a widespread household industry.