Alençon lace appeared in Normandy in the 17th century. It almost disappeared in the 20th century with the mechanical workshops, even though quality declined with this technique compared to hand-made lace. The traditional craft is perpetuated today at the Atelier National du Point d'Alençon (National Workshop of the Point d'Alençon) created in 1976. The motifs are embroidered using a linen or cotton thread, as fine as a hair, on a green parchment that does not exceed 1.55 square inches (10 cm²). A pattern big as a postage stamp requires between 7 and 15 hours of work.