In pictures: Manufacturing Lace

CAUDRY,FRANCE. 23/5/11. Old lace pattern books in the archive at the Sophie Hallette lace making factory in Caudry, Northern France. Stephen Lock for The National. FOR ARTS & LIFE

Bundles of lace are checked and hand finished at the Sophie Hallette lace making factory in Caudry, Northern France.

A worker makes checks on one of the old traditional looms built in the UK at the Sophie Hallette lace making factory in Caudry, Northern France.

Lace being scalloped by hand at the Sophie Hallette lace making factory in Caudry, Northern France. Photography by Stephen Lock for The National.

Vast spools of lace are straightened at the Sophie Hallette lace factory in Caudry, Northern France.

Lace is dyed at the Sophie Hallette lace factory in Caudry, Northern France.

A small tear in some of the lace is repaired by hand at the Sophie Hallette lace factory in Caudry, Northern France.

Giant spools of lace are checked and straightened at the Sophie Hallette lace factory in Caudry, Northern France.

Rows of cotton bobbins at the Sophie Hallette lace factory in Caudry, Northern France.