I received several of Christine Springett's books in the mail, along with 2 incredible handkerchief patterns, the rose, and wisteria, since I have both in my garden, and my middle name is Rose. I am very impressed by the level of the instructions. Verging on hand-holding, but this is fine with me. It has made me think about learning by rote and learning the theory/reading the pricking.
It has occurred to me that there is a great difference between a teacher teaching pinhole by pinhole, and a book doing the same thing. Again, remember that as far as I know, I am an hour's drive from any teacher, and that one I've never met, although her reputation is excellent. So I consider myself on my own, generally. Again, remember that my first teacher, in 1980, was Doris Southard, whom I have wonderfully 'met' via email only in the last few weeks, and a remarkable lady she seems to be. 90 or not 90. But I am now at the stage where I take at least 2 and usually more classes a year. With a teacher, I want to learn the theory, because she is there to see my pillow, and point out my personal mistakes. If I am actually learning from a book, that interaction is not there, so the book needs to foresee most of the possible eventualities and deal with them. Few books do that, nowadays, but certainly a beginner's manual that does that is invaluable to a person placed as I am. The second important need for hand-holding, or teaching more or less pinhole by pinhole, occurs when all you want to do is make a particular item. This has happened to me with the rose and wisteria patterns just received, and the heart trails Beds pattern in Springett's book, Lace for Special Occasions. I had not seen the book before, bought sight unseen, so I'd never seen that pattern. With 3 unmarried children between the ages of 28-36, the oldest the daughter, and a strong desire for grandchildren, the fertility hankie is now very high on the priority list, just in case, and I've never made Beds in my life. But with the help of 2 Beds books and Springett's instructions, I feel confident of a result that will pass muster of all who will see it, since none of them will know a good piece of lace from a bad one, and I don't think the fertility factor will be damaged by the quality of lace, as opposed to the number of wheat sheaves. Lyn in Lancaster, PA, where it's cool, 47F, 7.5C and cloudy. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
