Thanks for all of the support. Sorry not to be more specific. I guess I got a bit shy
& didn't want to bore you all to tears with stuff you probably did 20 years ago.
I actually own Beginning Bobbin Lace by Gil Dye, and have 101 Torchon Patterns by
Wilde & Practical Skills in Bobbin Lace by Cook (difficult for me to understand &
apply) on loan. I am working in Bockens 35/3 ivory linen on a simple fan pattern with
Torchon ground (tw. cr. tw. cr.). from Dye's book. I believe it was scaled for 80
thread, and have enlarged it using copy machine 29%. If I had it to do again, I would
probably just go 20%. I have modified the bottom/beginning of the edging to be a
smooth 45 degrees for inserts into a peasant blouse. Then, when I finish, the ending
knots will all be caught up in the seam allowance. (I ended by stopping in the middle
of a fan, and did a couple rows of tw cr tw cr as a selvage.) Yep, I know insertion
lace is generally straight sided, but as a seamstress, I like the scallop at least on
one side. (Next project I may use a bookmark pattern with fans on both sides for the
same area.)
I have completed two 6" pieces using 8 pair of bobbins. Then, I reduced the pattern a
bit by folding a copy of the original pricking and then reducing the ground area, and
have made another slightly shorter piece with more repeats using 7 pair. I had hoped
it would be a bit smaller than it is. I was looking for a smaller second pattern to
match, but add interest. I had a bit of trouble and managed to leave out the passive
pair that makes the footing along the straight side, but have figured it out and will
add it to the next piece for the center of the blouse. I will be doing a center piece,
with fans on both sides and a slit down the center (I think I can figure this out),
and some larger lace more involved lace for the sleeves. I am looking at a couple
larger fan patterns with 24 pair; I know, a cake walk for you guys. Especially the
dear lady who just completed the project with 500 pairs and 1,000 hours of work. I
have completed 13 embroidered Palestinian dresses at this p
oint. 3
of them have 1,000 or more hours in them ("lightly" embroidered Palestinian dresses
take 350 hours); usually I complete a dress in 6 months to a year~working like a
fiend; Life stops for the dress, so I know about the exhilleration and post partem of
large projects ;o) You do feel a bit like you have conquered the World though, don't
you? Congratulations on your persistance!
Anyway, the prettiest matching pricking has spiders, tallies, & diamonds in the
ground. I haven't tried spiders & tallies yet, so it may well be a bit ambitious for
me at this point, and I need two 27" pieces.
At this point, I have done about 10" worth of practicing; an inch here & there for
gauge, a 4"-5" piece that had a pair of bobbins left out, etc., and completed just the
three pieces, about 6" each for a big total of probably 17"-18" of finished lace. I am
working on a bolster pillow I just made that I am actually rather fond of with Danish
bobbins. I have 12 pair now, 18 more pair coming, along with a couple pair of LePuy
(for plaiting larger threads for drawstrings in sewing projects) and a pair "antique
holland" from Tracy @ thelacemakerusa (I wanted to hold them before I purchased lots
of pairs).
I am located in Bakersfield, California USA 93301~a big enough city, but not a
cultural hotspot by any means. We are about 2 hours out of Los Angeles, CA and 2 hours
out of Fresno, California. If anybody is out there teaching within a couple hours of
me, I am up for lessons!
Sheila I would have to send you a money order for your books, and I am not sure the
shipping & exchange rate. Will just a money order from the US postal service do? When
you get a chance, you might want to get back to me with the specifics. Either on group
or off [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Brenda your website was really helpful. I was winding the thread on the bobbins, not
the bobbins on the thread, and your collection of bobbins is delightful.
Thanks again to Everybody!
Samrah/Cinde
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