There are several forms of mezzo punto, all made out of tape lace that is combined into a larger design.
(a) with a series of designs made with straight tape, produced with lace bobbins. These are joined together with needlepoint fillings and brides (linking bars).
(b) with a straight tape made with lace bobbins or commercially woven on a loom. The tape is folded and puckered in order to fit a design that is drawn or printed in advance on a backing cloth or card. The designs are joined together with needlepoint fillings and brides.
(c) with a straight, commercially woven tape that is used to create a series of individual motifs joined together with needlemade fillings and tulle (resulting in [French] reseau). This type of lace is often called Point de Milan, and was a form of commercial lace made in Belgium in the early twentieth century.
See also the TRC Needles entry on a schematic survey of needle made lace types.
Source: EARNSHAW, Pat (1984). A Dictionary of Lace, Aylesbury: Shire Publications Ltd, pp. 110-111.
V&A online catalogue (retrieved 29th June 2016).
GVE