The Lace Museum moved to Fremont awhile back. NEW ADDRESS. 200 Brown Rd Suite 300, Fremont, CA 94539. NOTE NEW HOURS. Gallery viewing hours are from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Open studio every Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. (FREE)Bring your lace project to engage with other lace making artists. All levels of experience welcome. By appointment: research, donations, and private in-person lessons. read more

I went in "lace-blind" and left with a much greater appreciation for all kinds of lace and the people who make lace. Kim gave us a tour and we learned so much. We really enjoyed our first visit to the Lace Museum and are glad that it is in its new location in Fremont! Kim even taught us enough that we could correctly identify Dr. Milicent Shinn's lace collar as 'Sol' lace. This photo is at the Shinn House Museum and has always intrigued me. read more

The Lace Museum - Milicent Shinn, wearing a fabulous lace collar. - Museums Near Me - Fremont, California

Went to visit the current exhibit 'white on white' during one of my lunch breaks the past week with a colleague and we both left very satisfied of this small yet full of art and history museum. First of all is free (but if you contribute with some cash, never hurts) and you have nothing to lose. No, crochet, lace and all needle art is not only for grandmas. More and more variety of people ages and genres are interested in rediscovering this (in some cases) semi lost art and skill. I confess all things needles was in my to-try list before 50, but I guess I will pass, considering the amount of time and effort one has to put in creating something even small versus my ability to lose temper and patience too fast too soon:). However if you, like me, are curious about how women and children dressed in past centuries and the variety of utensils used to carry on this skill, you will be so surprised to enter in a never ending encyclopedia of manual labor knowledge. Each country has its own ways, its own styles and even the design of the devices used for lace making, tattering, etc varies enormously in materials and design. We were very impressed with the piece done by a man (yes, a man!) with Swarovski crystals embedded and also a historic sample from 1600 from Italy! All very nice explained by wonderful volunteers. Thanks a lot to that lady who graciously took her time to make our visit memorable. read more

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Hangin' out at the Lace Museum? Highly unlikely - if "hangin'" is in your vocabulary. People who visit here are more refined...Steam Punkdt and Victorian (and earlier) costumers looking for old lace and fine handiwork, serial watchers of Downton Abbey and Jane Austen. Just kidding. Even if you haven't been bit by the allure of exquisite lace -to use in your art, make, wear or learn about -you will enjoy this Museum and the "White on White" exhibit on through June 24. In the not too distant past, women's wealth could be seen and worn as lace. There are fine examples from many countries including France, England, Portugal, Spain and many parts of Eastern Europe. There are tools of the trade displayed and for sale as well as many unique and beautiful gifts. Pieces are heirloom donations or on loan: this Museum is totally dependent on donations and is totally staffed by volunteers. It's been at the same location for nearly 25 years. Take a genteel hour or two to enjoy this Sunnyvale gem. read more

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I went to the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale. It's in a strip mall, but Not in the Historical Murphy Ave area, closer to Olive St, West of Target. Next to Viva Video & Coconut Hill. They have lots of FREE parking right in front. It's FREE to check out, but best to donate some money to help this little museum. It's only a one room museum, but the lady that showed me around really knew a lot about lace work. She showed me a lot of different types of lace work: Point d' Gaz; Needle; Crocheted: Tatted: Tape; Knitted; Robbin; Needlepoint, etc. I liked the one lace with green fluorescent bugs - that's very cool. They are showing Victorian dolls with lace for the Holidays. It's very cute. There's Christmas ornaments w/ lace around them, Christmas Trees too. They have classes so you can make your own lace stuff. Worth about 30 mins to look around. Hrs: Tues-Sat 11-4 read more

I did not know there was so much to know about lace- but this small space in a shopping center is packed to the brim with samples and designs, and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers who are happy to share their accumulated info with you. Special shout-out to the lovely woman who showed us around on Saturday, 1/3 around 1PM: I didn't catch her name, but she spent at least half an hour with us, showing us around and answering questions. The setup is simple, with labelled display cases and wall hangings. Ask for assistance to see the drawers pulled out for the best samples: the hair-lace vest, the European black-thread design, and the one with the green beetle shells. The work her is astoundingly intricate, and the displays with the pads and hooks showing a piece mid-way through completion is jaw-droppingly complex. They regularly change out their featured exhibits: during the holidays, there are ornaments on display and available for purchase. Next month, they switch out to their baby-materials display, out through June. I am surprised this place doesn't get more publicity or traffic- it's by far one of the most unique museums I've come across, and the free admission can't be beat. Be sure to make a donation on their website if you didn't bring cash! read more

I was just at the lace museum today and it's a little gem in Sunnyvale. I actually found out about it a while doing a search on Google but only was able to go today. They have a nice, small collection of vintage lace that is just exquisite. I was a big fan of the lace made by human hair (I know, sounds creepy but it's so creative and done so tastefully). They also had one that was made and embellished with iridescent beetle shells. Yes, I mean the insect. The museum also offers classes to learn how to make lace and Sue, the person who gave me the tour, showed me the process of lace-making and explained to me the different styles. The space for the museum is quite small and the tables used for the classes takes up a lot of space so there is not a designated area primarily for the displays. It's not completely feng shui but in speaking with Sue, it is the best they could do with what they have. In going to the museum, I was blown away by the details in making lace and have a new found appreciation for it. If you want to learn a little history about lace and see some unique examples, I highly suggest taking a little peek at this museum. There is no entrance fee but it would be great if people who come offer a little donation. There is also a little gift shop in the back if you want to take home a little something but be sure to bring small cash or a check since they don't take credit card or large bills. read more

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Let me put it this way: I'm a straight male. Lace doesn't interest me one bit. But this is an AMAZING serendipitous find... a quirky little bit of "Hidden Sunnyvale." Five stars for the enthuiastic older ladies running the joint, which has been there for almost 30 years. They are sweet and charming. And completely lacking in self-awareness of how funny they are in their utter devotion to their craft. Five stars for oddities like a lace vest made of human hair. I crap you negative. If you're into that sort of thing: five stars for classes/lessons in how to make lace. It's free, but unless you're a complete heartless a-hole, you should make a donation. Running a free Lace Museum isn't exactly a lucrative prospect. Total awesome hilarious weird find. Joe Bob says check it out. read more

If you love anything lace, then you'll love this spot. The ladies here are too sweet and very educated on their lace. I came here for a school assignment, but I think I might go back because they have cute little things to buy that are covered in lace. And some of the REALLY old antique items that are nice to look at. I would never take up lacing....way too confusing....but they offer classes, hold contests and raffle things off to attract visitors to raise money to "pay their rent", as the lady told me. You can't help but either donate something (cash) or buy some souvenirs. I bought the cutest votive candle holders (with candles inside) that were covered in black lace...beautiful! And some bookmarkers..very cute too! Its in a random little shopping center, but it was worth the search ;) read more

I have been here 3 times and I love looking at each antique piece. Yes, the museum is small, but they use different display techniques to make up for it. As for the docents, they are incredibly knowledgeable and patient with your questions. I didn't know there were 7 types of lace or it took hundreds to thousands of hours to make a piece! At the end, they also taught us how to do bobbin lacing with multicolored thread. At the end of my third visit, I bought a crochet lace collar. The rich history behind it made me treasure it more. I will display it on a velvet board. I will definitely come again for the annual vintage sale. I might even look into the classes if I have time. read more

Proving that lace isn't just about doilies, the Lace Museum has a tremendous variety of exquisite lace and several different exhibits per year, as their collection is far too large to be displayed at once. I visit periodically---admission is free but please make a donation--and I've taken a couple of excellent classes and have signed up for another class. They also have a lovely little shop that offers vintage lace, as well as lacemaking supplies. It's entirely staffed and run by volunteers, a true labor of love for lace. read more

Is lacemaking a dying art? Not while The Lace Museum is on duty. This small museum has a deep collection of lace dating back to the Renaissance. Pieces from the collection come out for three exhibits each year, others reside for viewing in pull out drawers. There are ongoing classes in bobbin lace on pillows, lace knitting, tatting, and ornament making. Visiting instructors come for special classes every month or two. Crafters and costumers and lace collectors love their semi-annual vintage sales, when donated items from grandma's attic find new homes. A gift shop features many items for fine sewing as well as books about lacemaking and identification. In December, the gift shop stocks ornaments made by Lace Guild members. read more

The Lace Museum is located in Sunnyvale, on Murphy Avenue, near El Camino Real and Sunnyvale Avenue. The museum is in a storefront that is part of a larger 1960ish strip mall. What is on display changes from time to time, but when I was there it was a mix of vintage pieces and pieces created by local artists, from small doilies to large pieces 4'-6' in diameter or length. I'm far from a crafty person, but the lace pieces on display when I visited were amazingly intricate and complex, many of them very colorful. Also on display were pieces in progress, so one can see the weaving/crocheting process. The volunteer docent was VERY friendly and helpful, willing to show or explain everything they had on display. The museum also had lace-making supplies and tools available for purchase. The Lace Museum is not huge, and can be seen, with explanatory conversations, in an hour or less. Whatever they have on display will be beautiful and amazing, and they have very helpful, friendly volunteers. Our visit was very pleasant and relaxing (also, no fee, free and easy parking). read more

Tried to visit today. I checked all the resources, website, etc short of phoning the place and everything told me it would be open today. Wrong! It's closed until July 1! And closed again July 18-23. Limited hours is the truth. I understand it's run by volunteers and very small, but I was disappointed to show up when it was supposed to be open and it find it not to be. read more

A quick tour gives some understanding of the people who make things - to help support their families and/or for personal satisfaction. Every piece has a story. A class gives an occasion to meet lovely people who love to share knowledge, give encouragement and train hands and brains to make beauty. The history of lace is also the history of business from a cottage industry to large manufacturing concerns. We are all richer for the opportunity to learn and enrich our lives. read more

I agree - this is a TREASURE! History~Art in Lace~great finds and even a variety of things to purchase. The people are kind, gracious, willing to share and teach and a place I will go back to often. If you can't find a special lace for your project elsewhere Check this Out! You will be pleasantly surprised! read more