Lagetta lagetto is a species of tree native to several Caribbean islands. It is called the lacebark or gauze tree because the inner bark is structured as a fine netting that has been used for centuries to make clothing as well as utilitarian objects like rope.
Lagetta lagetto
Specimens of Lagetta lagetto, the lacebark tree, together with a sample of lacebark cloth and a whip made using lacebark. Plate IV from William Hooker's Journal of Botany and Kew Garden Miscellany, vol. II, 1850.
A selection of early 20th century Jamaican souvenir items including a woman's necktie (left), a fan (center), and several doilies, all made of lacebark with other materials. From Alfred Leader's 1907 account Through Jamaica with a Kodak.
The British collector Hans Sloane shown holding a drawing of the lacebark plant in a detail of a 1736 painting by Stephen Slaughter that is now in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Gauze is a thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave. In technical terms, "gauze" is a weave structure in which the weft yarns are arranged in pairs and are crossed before and after each warp yarn, keeping the weft firmly in place. This weave structure is used to add stability to the fabric, which is important when using fine yarns loosely spaced. However, this weave structure can be used with any weight of yarn, and can be seen in some rustic textiles made from coarse hand-spun plant fiber yarns. Gauze is widely used for medical dressings.
Gauze veil
Tutu
Gauze swab
Gauze balls
