Mary LePompe's original pages were made by woodcuts and are therefore approximations. But they were very good woodcuts, and the braid lace and tape lace designs are easy to interpret directly if you understand the working methods of those two forms of bobbin lace. A relative beginner at bobbin lace might have trouble interpreting them. The booklet is a facsimile of some of the pages of the original book, which means a direct reproduction of how the original pages actually looked, with all their original faults. But the paperback book also contains a section in the back where Bridget Cook helped write more modern patterns from the woodcuts with some text of suggestions on how to work the patterns. For the most part, my personal view is that this modern help section doesn't really add to the text. The problem is that the woodcuts need interpreting, and I don't agree with all the interpretations of the people who collaborated on producing the facsimile paperback book. Most of the time their interpretations are obvious, just as obvious as the woodcuts themselves. But some woodcuts are most peculiar, and the solutions to problems that the editors have devised are sometimes also strange, more strange than they need to be. I suggest caution in accepting sewings in some braid laces where sewings aren't necessary at all, and a few very odd straight laces.
I would suggest taking a class in Cluny bobbin lace before trying to work the LePompe braid laces, and that will solve most of your technical questions. The book is out of print. Perhaps keeping an eye on eBay will help you locate a copy. The IOLI library probably has a copy that members can borrow. Lorelei - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
