My instructor's lace |
A few weeks back I had the opportunity to attend a bobbin lacemaking 101 class sponsored by the Brooklyn Lace Guild. The instructor had a grant to study lacemaking around the world and between finishing graduate school and her own projects, she teaches classes. Really amazing!
Bobbin lace uses bobbins--special sticks that you wind with thread--I think it took me almost an hour to wind 12. I was easily the slowest person in the class. Basically, you use bobbins to braid the thin strands together--the thread (we used size 40 cotton thread) is so thin, the bobbins give the thread some weight and a handhold so you can braid them--that's really it. Pretty simple in concept.
These are the bobbins, plus size 40 thread |
While you are working, you pin the lace into shape using a pre-poked pattern on a sheet of paper. Sorry I removed some pins in the lower right:
the workspace |
My first attempt kind of sucks, but I'm going to try to go to more of these. Below is my finished lace sampler. A sampler is kind of a visual "dictionary" of different stitches. From left to right, there's a whole stitch, a (failed) half stitch, and a cloth stitch:
I tried |
the instructor's |
examples of bobbin lace, lol with mine thrown in |
Van Sciver Bobbin Lace (based in NY, ships worldwide)
Snowgoose Lace (based in Colorado, ships worldwide)
Lacis (Based in California, ships worldwide)
I've only heard about bobbin lace recently. Very cool! If I were born a century or two ago, sounds like the type of thing I'd do for a living.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteFailed or not, still pretty! Bobbin lace is probably one of my favourites. I think I've tried tatting once, but it was impossible without a special needle or shuttle.
ReplyDeleteI think it's probably my favorite too, even though you need all this equipment... The other methods seemed so fussy and tedious. The most tedious thing about this is winding the bobbins--though some people have a winding machine... But that's yet another piece of equipment!
DeleteWOW, that looks really hard to do!!
ReplyDeleteOoooo wow, I'm impressed hand made lace is goregous but incredibly complicated, always look difficult to learn. I take mu headress off to you for even attempting to do it. Lol. I know there a lace guild near me I'm thinking of going as its on Thursday morning. Really well done l.
ReplyDeleteGot you something for Christmas. Want to know what it is? It's a nomination for the Liebster Award.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cafelastrange.com/2017/12/the-liebster-award-2017.html
Haha just what I always wanted!
DeleteBobbin lace is such a fascinating craft. The intricate patterns are remarkable. Thanks for joining the craft-along!
ReplyDelete