drawn thread work

Refers to works created in linen or another fabric on which a design is produced by drawing threads out of the body of a piece of material to create a mesh, and then stitches are worked on the mesh. It was highly developed in Italy and preceded the development of needle lace in the 16th century. It continued to be created in many nations, and commonly appears as a standard needlework type on embroidery samplers from the 17th century onward.