lacemaking, 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.