Dear Susan, If you have access to Gil Dye's "The Isham Samples and Other Linen Edgings" there are several patterns that would suit you from the Elizabethan era. Some use 2 colors of thread, which I have found makes it easier for people new to viewing a lace demonstration to see the thread paths. Adding a bit of history at a library location, would be appropriate and you might find a costume book that shows the narrow laces used on coifs and clothing edges. Because of the Isham connection, there was a long article (with pictures) by Rosemary Shepherd in the Fall 2012 IOLI lace bulletin. You might even find an article by Gil - she writes for both IOLI and The Lace Guild (UK) bulletins. Or, you can make a simple Torchon ground of any width. See Rosemary's "Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking", page 32. People can relate to stitches which resemble machine-made net (tulle) yardage. I used this idea and set up a basic pillow with tatting threads (they don't break at demos, and there is enough space to see the threads and show the route an individual thread takes using a corsage pin as pointer). I wound bone bobbins with white, and black hand-painted bobbins with blue variegated. The effect is pretty, and the bobbins are set up in a sequence to create a diamond shape of blue down the middle. Not for your limited pillow space, Susan, but an idea for anyone who wants to talk with the public while demonstrating. A large fully-dressed pillow with many bobbins and dense pattern is discouraging and elicits the usual "I don't have the patience!". Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center In a message dated 12/2/2013 10:55:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, hottl...@neo.rr.com writes:
My plan for making Skansk hit a major snag when I realized all of my patterns require more than six pair. Google brought up Jean Leader's articles, Lorelei's test strips & Jo Edkin's ribbons. With such a tiny pillow, I'm reluctant to add my beaded Mechlin bobbins to the mix, but six pair lace options are less appealing. The pillow needs something cute & petite! Have I missed any attractive six pair resources that may be worked freehand? - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
