Lyn askes how needlelace is worked.
The pattern/design is tacked to a 3 or 4 layered pad of firm fabric, and the outline of the pattern is "traced" with a double coarse thead, which is couched down through the pad. These are the only stitches to go through the fabric. Everything else is worked on top. The filling stitches are all variations of the plain old Buttonhole stitch, and the rows are worked from one side of the trace thread to the other. They are only supported by the trace threads. When all is finished, and an edging stitch worked around it all, the couching stitches are cut and the lace is released from the pattern.
This is a Very abbreviated account, but may give you an idea. It can be worked in the hand, or pinned to a special sort of pillow - more like a small bolster pillow. Mine, which I rarely use, is made from an old coffee tin, and covered with felt, and then fabric! It is only used to hold the pattern and give the worker both hands free to manipulate the threads.
from Liz in Melbourne, Oz,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
