Methods of producing lace .
The popularity of handmade laces led to the invention of lacemaking machines in the 19th century (see John Heathcoat ). Early models required intricate engineering mechanisms. Later improvements included Nottingham-lace machines, primarily for coarse lace, and Barmens machines. Schiffli lace, a type of embroidery, is made by modern machines, evolved from a hand version, using needles with points at each end. Many types of machine-made laces are produced, frequently with geometrically shaped nets forming their backgrounds. The high strength and comparatively low cost of man-made fibre yarns have made sheer laces widely available.