--- Lynne Cumming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My little lace class and I shall be demonstrating > at the Baldock Festival.... > The festival has a medieval theme again this year > and I do try to point out > that lace was not around in this form in those times
You made me think about our demos at our local historical areas. In western USA, our history goes back only 150 years (young in European terms), and bobbin lace was not commonly done. The early settlers were too busy surviving to spend time and money on a frivolous pursuit such as bobbin lace. If a woman made lace for her clothes or house, it would have been crochet or tatting. These tools did not take much room to transport. Many a woman carried her crochet hook or shuttle in her pocket across the country because the husband did not consider it essential. (I can imagine what a man would have said about a lace pillow and bobbins, if a crochet hook was nonessential!) The local historical groups still want lace demos when they have historical days even it it isn't historically correct. I think the modern ladies are fascinated with lacemaking and just want to see us do it. Sooo... on various days in the summer, you might see us in pioneer dress and making bobbin lace. At least we are introducing the younger generations to the existance of bobbin lace, even if it's not historical to the area. I suppose we should have some crochet and tatting available to be more correct. That makes me think....I should make a display board that has samples of laces: crochet, tatting, Bl, needlelace, knitted lace, and perhaps even cutwork and drawn work. That would be good for county fair. Demo season is on us. Have lots of fun making lace in public. Remember to report your demo hours to your local lace guild and IOLI, if you're in the USA. Alice in Oregon -- where spring has turned a bit chilly for a day or two. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
