Dear Lacemakers, My lace books did not yield information about *Witches' Work*, but there are numerous references to it in "Lace Magazine International", which is no longer published. It is possible to order back issues at:
www.lacemaking.com (This is the address on the gift bobbin attendees at IOLI convention received in their goodie bags) Click on Lace Magazine, and you can read tables of contents of the magazines. The last issue was #56 in 2000. I do not have a complete collection, but here are some references to *Witches' Work* - the name of which has been highlighted throughout with asterisks: 2000, Issue #56, page 23 - Title of article: 'Lace Collecting with a Focus'. Quote: "It made mother visibly happy that I was able to distinguish - at a glance - a Mechelen lace from a Valenciennes, a Feather Binche, or a forerunner of *Witches' Work*." Text by Lieve Jerger - editor of the magazine. 1998, Issue #46, page 29 - Title of article: '18th Century Binche Lace Recreation'. Quote in reference to Binche and the term 'Antiek' which is used in Belgium for all laces that have the twisted (CTCT/red) open rim, outlining the motifs: "Once you have mastered this technique, you can design your own Point de Fees, the fabled *Witches Work* which is the finest achievement of Binche lace." Diagrams and Pricking by Michael Giusiana. Text by Lieve Jerger. 1997, Issue #41, page 15 and Cover - Title of article: 'What is Binche Lace?' Quote: "Binche laces can be sorted in three major groupings: a) Feather-Binche b) Binche based on four strand grounds c) *Witches Work*, Toveressewerk or Point de Fees." Caption of detail of front cover: "Apostoline Sister Roberta and others in Bruges today still create *Witches' Work*. The method used for passing threads fluently and neatly from one pattern into another descends directly from the halo ring technique found in the early Antwerp laces. Surplus threads are worked towards the edge below into a netstitch field. No threads are added or taken out of this lace." Text by Berthilda Vandoren, late mother of Lieve Jerger, with illustrations from the Spieghel Collection. 1995, Issue 36, page 20 - Title of article: 'Lace Instruction in Bruges, Belgium'. Picture caption: "Toveressework or *Witches Work* like this illustrates the incredible lace legacy of the Aposteline Nuns who started the contemporary Bruges Kantcentrum in 1717." It is probable that earlier editions contain more references to *Witches' Work* and/or the Aposteline Nuns. You might do further research about Aposteline Nuns, Toveressework, or Point de Fees. For those who enjoy the history of lace and lacemakers, these "Lace Magazine International" publications would be valued reference material for your home libraries. The price has been greatly reduced. Toward the end of the publication of the magazines, the price at Borders book store was $8.50 per issue! I looked quickly at Michael Giusiana's three books on Binche lace, and did not find references to *Witches' Work*. However - in connection with another discussion on Arachne last week (Costumes for Shakespearean productions) -- Giusiana's "Binche I" (Subtitled: Around the Corner: Handkerchiefs) has a two-page history of the handkerchief. The historic review goes back to Persian and Roman times, tells when handkerchiefs were first standardized as to shape, and ends with the plain "Kleenex(tm)" now in use worldwide. To the original person who inquired about *Witches' Work*: There are probably several of us who have spent a great deal of time trying to find an answer for you. Very often a question is short, and the answer is not. What is the purpose behind the request? 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]
