Dear Arachnids Piece laces, i.e. those made in pieces joined together with sewings and grounds added later, e.g. Honiton, are obviously made wrong side uppermost. Our English straight laces, Bucks and Beds, are traditionally considered to be made right side uppermost. When you have made a piece, and just taken it off the pillow, have a good look at the two sides. The side that was against the pricking is much flatter. The other side has the gimps and some of the stitches, particularly those adjacent to pins, slightly raised and, in the past, this has been considered to add character to the lace. I made the ivy collar, from the same pattern Margaret Tite used for her piece in 'Bedfordshire Lace Patterns' by Margaret Turner, when I attended one of Vi Bullard and Barbara Underwood's courses at Knuston Hall. I sent a photocopy to Vi when I had finished it and received a reply that indicated all was not right with it. I hastily sent her another copy, this time from the side away from the pricking. She could see the difference even from the photocopy. Having said this I have seen a beautiful piece of Lester Beds with rolled tallies in Bedford Museum that was clearly made so that the side next to the pricking became the right side. I could tell this from looking at the rolled tallies that determined the right side, and the ends where the gimps were cut lying on the other side, which must have been uppermost when it was made. There is accepted tradition and those who wish to dictate, but it again it comes down to personal preference. Think of the factors that make one silde look better than the other and make your own choice. It's your lace so enjoy it your way, I do.
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