In handmade lace, this refers to the delicate, ornamental patterns worked into open spaces or enclosed motifs to add texture and detail. Lacemakers create these fillings using needle lace or bobbin techniques, often contrasting them against a plainer ground mesh. They serve as focal points that demonstrate the skill of the maker and increase the value of the lace.
Heard on the job
The ground is simple netting, but the modes inside the floral motifs took hours of needlework.
Also heard as
- filling stitch
- leadwork