Dear Lacemakers, "Romanian Point Lace" by Angela Thompson and Kathleen Waller, Batsford, 2003, ISBN 0-7134-8832-8, $27 (U.S.), $42 (Canada), 18 pounds (U.K.), has arrived in Maine USA! That means it is probably available everywhere. It is distributed in the U.S./Canada by Sterling.
Angela is an Arachne. Her travel tales are much enjoyed and her needlework expertise much consulted. Kathleen Waller is sister to the late Margaret Hamer, about whom we read earlier this year on Arachne. They have produced a 144-page hardcover book of substance on the subject of Romanian Point Lace. This lace has not received much publishing attention. Other books on the subject are a set of spiral-bound paperbacks self-published by Sylvia Murariu. And then, there was the cover-featured butterfly in the January/February 2001 (Lace) issue of the American magazine "PieceWork". Other published coverage of this type of lace has been quite limited. Romanian Point Lace is made using crochet and needlelace techniques. It is assembled in the manner of tape laces, but the "tape element" in this case is a crocheted cord - flexible on curves and with no end to turn under. The end is simply unraveled back to the point where the end of the outline design is couched down on background fabric. The result is appealing and graceful -- no gathers or folds. Once the outline is in place, open spaces are in-filled with a variety of needlelace fillings and decorative additions (rings, bullion knot grapes, joining bars). The result is a very textured and graphic lace. The hand-drawn illustrations of techniques and the many color photographs are very clear. Angela provides a history of the lace, and tells of her experiences exploring/researching (through travel). The instructions for making the samples in the book (by Angela and Kathleen) are clear. Photographs of private collections are an important element, for they illustrate the endless variety possible. For butterfly lovers - there are some patterns! My favorite is an angel for which the design inspiration was a bobbin lace angel from the Vologda region of Russia. There are appliques, ornaments, mats and a tea cosy to be made, plus ideas for developing your own original designs. This is a lovely book. Congratulations to the authors. Thanks to the publisher. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
