Hi Bronwen I think Lorelei's reply refers to joining needlelace motifs, whereas I think you are asking about working the long needlewoven bars and the brides making the geometric pattern blocks in the big squares left after you have pulled out threads.
What I have in front of me at the moment is the 'Ruskin Lace and Linen Work' book by Elizabeth Prickett. This embroidered lace from the 1880s was made in a related way to the work you are studying, and from its first chapter I read "Mounting on Leathercloth. This is to maintain the size and shape of the cut-out area, regardless of how small this area is to be, whilst working the pattern." In this particular lace, the pattern areas are outlined with four sided stitch, and this band of four sided stitch is used as the frame in which to do the stitches to hold it onto the leathercloth. Only after the square is supported on the leathercloth, are the threads cut and removed, thus ensuring the hole created is the right size and undistorted. Looking at the most ornate and developed of the Reticello patterns, where very little of the original fabric is leftt, I don't see that it is possible to do the work unless it is attached to a background so I am sure you are on the right lines. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
