> Boy am I a newbie! Hello Jenny and welcome to Arachne! I hope you grow to love lacemaking as much as I do!
There are many wonderful lacemakers on this list who know far more than I, but I will answer some of the questions you asked, with my opinions. And that is all they are, just my opinions. I'm a relatively new lacemaker (about 4 or 5 years), so I will defer to others whose opinions may vary! I started out learning from books, too, and that works perfectly well. At some point, you will want to take some classes, so that you can learn techniques that aren't necessarily clearly explained in books. For example, I knew the mechanics of making a sewing, but didn't understand exactly how to manipulate the crochet hook until I saw it demonstrated. Videos work well for that, too. I've answered only some of your questions, deleting the ones I don't know or have opinions on. > Should I get a round, roller or travel cushion? I would recommend a "cookie" pillow, which is a round pillow--not a roller pillow for starters, and not a travel pillow. My preferred material is ethafoam (not styrofoam, which breaks down quickly). About an 18" diameter is probably best for a first pillow, and not terribly expensive. > Should I get more that one cushion? One is enough for starters. > Is there a do not buy list? Yes, the "horror" kit from Lacis. > Should I get a cushion stand? Not necessary at first. Either put your pillow on a TV tray, which will be approximately the right working height, or else sit on several cushions to raise yourself up to normal table height. You didn't ask, but while I'm thinking about it--many people start by tilting their pillow so that the back is higher than the front. You can even buy various items to prop it that way. My advice, is--don't! Learn to work with your pillow flat on the table, and you'll be much happier. > What sorts of bobbins are best for a beginner? That's personal taste to a great degree. I started with East Midlands bobbins. Those are the ones with spangles at the ends (little circle of beads). The spangles give the bobbin a little weight to maintain tension on the thread, plus they keep the bobbins from rolling. An added attraction with East Midlands bobbins is that they are made in all kinds of beautiful materials, and one can quickly develop the desire to start a collection--ebony inlaid with mother of pearl, carved and painted bone, spliced woods, etc. My very first introduction to bobbin lace was seeing a friend's pillow with gorgeous bobbins, and I resolved at that moment to make lace so that I'd have an excuse to collect bobbins (which I have done and am still doing!). I still prefer them to Continentals, but for laces that have a lot of sewings, East Midlands aren't terribly practical, and then I use Continental bobbins. Continentals come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, depending on the kind of lace you're making and the weight of the thread. See the web site below for pictures of various bobbins. I will defer to the experience of others who have used many different kinds to suggest the best ones to start with. > How many bobbins should I buy? I'd say maybe 3 dozen, but I will defer to the wisdom of others. > What is a beginners lace pattern? > Should I jump in and start with a lace pattern I like the look of and learn > the technique as I go? (that is how I usually learn a new craft) You could do that, but I would recommend you start with a good book on Torchon lace. Once you master the fundamentals of bobbin lace, you can choose the kind of lace that most appeals to you and branch out. Some possible choices are: The Bobbin Lace Manual by Geraldine Stott, The Technique of Bobbin Lace by Pamela Nottingham, The Technique of Torchon Lace by Pamela Nottingham, Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking by Rosemary Shepherd, The Torchon Lace Workbook by Bridget Cook. > Divider pins (can I use sewing pins?) Divider pins are long, long pins. Don't use sewing pins. These are mostly optional. If you want to get a couple you can, but you won't need them at first. > Pricking card I bought a big package of blue card stock at my local office supply store. Works fine. > thread - can I use crochet cotton? Yes, you can, and many do. I usually treat myself to threads intended for lacemaking. A good thread to start with is Brok 36/3. > > cover cloth - what colour, fabric Make your own. Solid navy blue, about 18" square, hemmed on all sides. Make a couple while you're at it--one for under your bobbins and one to cover your work. > bobbin holder - what is it? There are two categories of bobbin holders. First is something into which to place your bobbins after they're wound and before you put them on your pillow. Usually a cloth with little pockets sewn into it. Some of the books mentioned above have some suggestions for making these. You can also get wood or plastic holders on which you can hang the wound bobbins. The other category is holders to secure your bobbins to the pillow when you're not working or when you're moving the pillow. Sub-categories: for East Midlands bobbins--knitting stitch holders of various kinds that can be sent through the spangles in order and then fastened. A long ribbon can be used, too. Thread it through the spangles and secure it to the pillow every so often with pins with those round glass heads. For Continental bobbins, there are wood devices that have two parallel strips of wood, fastened at one end. You simply run all the bobbin shafts between the two strips, in order, and then pin them down to your pillow (you can use these with spangled bobbins, too). Another choice is crocheted bobbin holders, which are quick and easy to make. Each bobbin goes into its own little hole in the strip and then the strip is pinned down to the pillow. Other tools you didn't mention, but will need-- Pin pusher, pin puller, pricker, bobbin winder. You will also need good lacemaking pins. If you're using a thread such as Brok 36/3, then a good size pin is 26 x .65. > Where can I get these products in Australia? I'm sure others in Australis can help you with that. I rely on mail order a great deal. I'll suggest Holly Van Sciver's web site as a possible source for you. I know shipping costs will be high from the US to Australia, so you may not want to order from her, but her web site shows lots and lots of different bobbin styles, explains the differences between pins, offers many types of threads, books, etc. <www.vansciverbobbinlace.com> It's fun to look, even if you don't plan to order from her. I am very excited for you as you start this wonderful journey. I know you'll love it! Barbara Joyce Snoqualmie, WA USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
