OIDFA

The International Bobbin and Needle Lace Organization
L’Organisation Internationale de la Dentelle au Fuseau et à l’Aiguille
Formation1982
HeadquartersFrance
Region
world
MembershipLace artists, scholars, and educators
Official language
French and English
Websitewww.oidfa.com

OIDFA (Organisation Internationale de la Dentelle au Fuseau et à l’Aiguille) is a non-profit organization based in France that supports the international community of lace enthusiasts and promotes the study and practice of lacemaking.[1][2]

History and Activities

OIDFA was founded in 1982 in France.[3] Its name stands for The International Bobbin and Needle Lace Organization. It promotes lace making through three main activities: 1) organizing conferences and workshops bringing lacemakers together for educational opportunities; 2) quarterly publications providing information on lace history, art, and community meeting opportunities;[4] and 3) connecting its members to museums for exhibitions of expertise provision.[5]

Publications from OIDFA include conference proceedings as well as lace techniques,[6] identification, and history including regional costume traditions that include lace.[7]

OIDFA organized a Congress every two years since 1982 in various European locations around Europe[8] until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented travel. It resumed organizing this event in 2023. The Congress celebrates the local lace traditions where it is held: for instance, the 2023 Congress in Nova Gorciafocused on lace traditions in Slovenia.[9] It also encourages learning new lace traditions, by encouraging lacemakers around the world to realize a pattern developed for the event and sending it for display.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Over 200 Participants from 28 Countries Attending 21st World Lace Congress in Karlovo". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  2. ^ "Les dentelles de France". Datatèxtil. 29: 67.
  3. ^ "Organization Information". OIDFA. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  4. ^ Bulletin, OIDFA: Quarterly Journal of the International Bobbin and Needle Lace Organization (in French). OIDFA. 2002.
  5. ^ "Bobbin and Needle Lace. European intangible cultural heritage". Comunidad de Madrid. 2024-01-17. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  6. ^ "OIDFA Point Ground Lace". the lacebee. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  7. ^ "Publications". OIDFA. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  8. ^ Malta, Times of (2006-07-02). "Maltese lacemakers attend international congress". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  9. ^ "In Slovenia, lace-making is for everyone". sloveniatimes.com. 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  10. ^ "New England Lace Group - 2025 OIDFA: A Rose for Kalofer". nelg.us. Retrieved 2025-04-29.