Dear Barbara - Yes, you are certainly right about Tamara and her talent! She is very gifted in her design skills and her ability to figure out how to achieve the effect she wants.
Please remember that initially, Tamara taught herself to make lace with books - before there were lots and lots of wonderful books out there! And she is a good teacher!! But... when I began to work Flanders, she recommended that I get the only two books out there at the time... the Mary Niven book, and the book by Rombach-de Kievid. Her Rombach book was printed in Dutch (if I remember correctly), while the copy I acquired was printed in German. In spite of the fact that I had a German couple living next-door to me who were happy to help me try to translate, they were not lacemakers, and so it was not possible to get much help from them. Still, as she had promised, the diagrams in the book were enough to help me get started. Since then, other books have been written on the subject. Giusiana, Kauffmann, and Stang published "Flanders" in several languages which gives an excellent introduction to the style, and offers lots of good patterns to work. I think that virtually every sample in the book was made by the same person - Bobbi Donnelly, who must make lace in her sleep!! Flanders, like Binche, is a lace which requires constant attention. A friend of mine who is becoming increasingly proficient at this lace has expressed pleasure in sorting out the ever-present puzzles in the thread paths and anticipating changes ahead. I agree that the intense focus required by these laces is what appeals to me. But don't be intimidated by the lace. It, like any other lace, can be mastered in small steps. The Flanders Ground is delightful, and many of us who work it get into the rhythm of it, and call it "doing the dance". Take-ins and take-outs are done in a particular way in Flanders (and often done the same way in Binche). Gimpwork in Flanders is done is a particular way - but it isn't more difficult than any other gimpwork, just different. But the very best way to begin a lace like Flanders is to take a workshop with a teacher who has been recommended by others who have had him/her teach them that lace. Ask around, and see what you can find. It will be a fun workshop, and give you a good beginning to a wonderful lace. And... for anyone who may be interested, Michael Giusiana will begin a three-year program in Flanders at "Lace at Sweet Briar" beginning in 2010. Clay -- Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA USA -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Barbara Gordon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I am wondering Tamara if your thoughts on this are still the same regarding > Flanders lace? Our lace group has just purchased the newest DVDs on > Flanderss lace and I wanted this so I could do/try to do Binche lace which > I was suggested to do. I have now watched the DVDs and know that I have to > be in the right mind set to work it for the first time. So, are you still > working with the Flanders and if so are you having any luck with it? - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
