Bev Walker wrote > Does anyone know - did the lacemakers expertly use one hand to move > bobbins, the other to place pins?
The Lace Guild library has a draft copy of a book by Ethel Nettleship - 'Pillow Lace Making - 14 technical lessons to train the eyes and hands in the art of pillow lace making' which is probably pre 1950 (information from David Springett). The section on 'How to use the hands' starts " Hold the hands downwards as though playing the piano. Practise lifting the bobbins between the 4th and 3rd, 3rd and 2nd, 2nd and 1st fingers of the left hand until the muscles ache. While doing this hang the right hand down to the side, and do not let it help the left hand. The left hand fingers make the stitch, without the use of the thumb. The thumb comes into use later - but it is important to be able to make the stitches with the left hand fingers only, as while doing this the right hand puts up the pin and so only half the time is taken to do the two things." She goes on to explain exactly how to hold the bobbins in the fingers while making a cloth stitch. I did try working as described but obviously didn't practise hard enough! Jean in Glasgow where it's been trying to snow on and off all day - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
