Thanks Alice.  I appreciate you quick review.
I demonstrate locally and most want me to spin.
But we do manage to get in Bobbin lace, and admit it would be a very rare
occasion for such work to be done in America at that time.

Susie Johnson
Morris, IL
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Alice Howell
  To: [email protected]
  Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 6:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [lace] Demos at festivals


  --- 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.

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