The singular character of Point d'Alençon lace is due to the high level of know-how and the time required for its entirely artisanal production in ten successive stages. The first of these steps consists in drawing the pattern to be executed. A first artistic drawing, like the one depicted here, is painted in gouache. It represents the patterns and ornaments of the lace to be created and will be taken up in its main lines and contours by a second, more technical drawing.