Did Lacemakers Go Blind by 30?

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Did lacemakers really go blind by 30?

[00:00:03]Thanks to popular media like the Madeline movie Lost in Paris, I get comments declaring this all the time.

[00:00:08]And for years I've been looking for sources to corroborate them. The oldest source I found thus far is an article that mentions Valencienne lacemakers working in basements who were said to quote become almost blind before they were 30 years of age, but it doesn't include any citations for this claim.

[00:00:24]It's clear that people are fascinated with the idea of lacemakers going blind whether or not it's actually true. But how does this line up with their lived experiences? Popular stereotypes of lacemakers imagine them from the polar extremes of frivolous hobbyists to passive victims of exploitation, but the realities are much more nuanced. I'll be breaking down this topic in more depth in my upcoming talk fact or fabrication the archetype of the lacemaker held in person at Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens in DC and streamed online on June 24th at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.

[00:00:58]Using written and visual sources alongside archival materials, this lecture will pull back the layers of misconception shrouding this female-dominated industry to illustrate lacemakers creativity, ingenuity, and resilience. You can find out more information and register at the link in my bio.