Short answer: Swiss voile lace is fine, tightly woven cotton voile embroidered on a schiffli embroidery frame, often with punched eyelets and metallic thread. It is light, matte and cool to wear.
Where the name comes from
“Swiss” refers to the machine embroidery that grew up around Lake Constance in eastern Switzerland and the neighbouring Austrian Rhine valley in the 19th century. The schiffli frame developed there stitches one design with hundreds of needles at once. Today “Swiss voile” names the type of cloth, not only the country: much of it is embroidered just across the river, in Vorarlberg, Austria.
Careful when searching: “swiss lace” on its own often means the lace base used for wigs. The fabric is Swiss voile lace.
What makes it different
- The ground stays. Unlike cord lace, the cotton voile remains in the fabric, so it is soft, opaque or semi-opaque, and drapes well.
- Eyelets. Many voile laces have punched and stitched holes that let air and light through.
- Matte, breathable cotton. The coolest African lace in heat.
How to wear it
Swiss voile is the lace for Sunday service, naming ceremonies, long outdoor afternoons and men’s kaftans and agbada. White and cream eyelet voile is a favourite for white weddings and christenings. It tailors easily and rarely needs a full lining.
Our Swiss voile
OLORI’s Swiss voile dessins are embroidered in Lustenau, Austria, 130 cm wide, in 5-yard lengths cut in one piece. Shop Swiss voile lace, or compare it with cord lace and organza in Which lace for your event.
