Now You Don't - Invisible Lace - Artfully Unraveling the World of Lace

Now You Don’t: Creating Invisible Lace with Fishing Line

I’m always on the lookout for new ways to push the boundaries of lace making, and this project was no exception. Inspired by the idea of using unconventional materials, I decided to try something a little outside the box—fishing line. The result? A delicate, almost invisible piece of bobbin lace that plays with the viewer’s expectations of what lace can be.

Pins in the bobbin lace pattern, bobbins, and some fishing line threads.

The Challenge: Making Lace You Can’t See

The most intriguing part of this project was also the most challenging: the invisibility of the material itself. Working with fishing line meant that I could barely see what I was creating! I had to set up two tabletop lamps and a floor lamp just to catch the occasional shine of the stitches around the pins. It became almost a dance—I would stand up, shift around, and catch glimpses of the lace in progress as the light hit it at just the right angle.

Bobbin lace pattern and bobbins. You can't really see any threads.

The end result made all the effort worthwhile. The design is entirely made of fishing line, and it disappears almost completely when placed against a light background. Against a darker background, the lace is mostly revealed, like a hidden pattern suddenly appearing.

Bobbin lace pattern and bobbins. You can see a few fishing line threads.

A Sister Piece in the Making

This piece, titled “Now You Don’t”, is actually one of two sister pieces I’ve planned. The second, “Now You See It”, will also be made from fishing line, but with a twist—there will be a large black bobbin lace spider in the center, seemingly floating in space. Together, these pieces will explore the idea of what’s visible and what isn’t, playing with the viewer’s perception of traditional lace versus something that vanishes into the background.

Finished "Now You Don't" bobbin lace, but over the pattern you cannot see the threads.

Pushing the Boundaries of Lace

I’ve always enjoyed working with non-traditional materials, and this project is a perfect example of how lace can go beyond what people expect. This invisible lace raises questions about the nature of lace itself—how can you appreciate something you can barely see? And how does the material affect the way we experience art?

Close-up of fishing line threads over a dark background.

It’s my hope that viewers will be puzzled by this piece. The idea that something as intricate as bobbin lace can be made but not seen, depending on the background and light, challenges the boundaries of what lace is “supposed” to be. I love playing with those expectations and showing how lace can take on entirely new forms when made with something as unexpected as fishing line.

Finished piece in front of dark background.

Want to See More?

If you’re curious about how this invisible lace looks or want to follow along with the creation of “Now You See It”, make sure to check out my Instagram (@BobbinLaceNet ) or TikTok (@CajahYupMe ) for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

Finished lace in front of grey background. You can sort of see the design.