Good for you, Carol. Welcome to a new craft / art / passion / avocation. Lace is so very interesting, engaging. If you have the Gilian Dye lacemaking book where you make a series of bookmarks, you're in good hands. You should be able to pursue it without too much problem. The pictures are good. I don't know where you live, but if in the States, make sure you have pearl cotton SIZE 8. If you go to a place like JoAnn's, they sell SIZE 5 in colors, and 8 only in black and white. If 5 is all you can get, add 1/2 again to each length mentioned, and increase the patterns 133%. That will work. For practice pieces like this, I have always found that a photocopy works well, although some people say the printer ink will run. I've never seen that happen, but the film described by the other lady, whose name I cannot get at the moment, will work just fine. Any non-rusting pin will work for beginning. If you are using the Dye bookmark book, you will be using colors, which is! great because you can see your threads and where they go. When you move to white thread, do not use white for your pricking, as you won't be able to see your threads. A pastel color works well. I usually use peach or light green.
I don't know where you live, but if you can find someone who makes lace, you will learn a lot more, quickly. If you are in the States, go to http://www.internationaloldlacers.org/ and find a group in your area. In the states many of us feel like voices in the wilderness, as one does not meet lacemakers, or even people who know what bobbin lace is. If you are in Australia or Britain, it is my distinct impression that you will have an easier time finding other lacemakers. But I cannot speak to that. Again, welcome. You have found the place where your questions can be answered. I learned from a book, without a teacher. lrb -----Original Message----- >From: cahuff <[email protected]> >Sent: Jun 21, 2011 1:06 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: [lace] Just got a pillow, have an assortment of bobbins...help... > >HI >I just got a nice roller pillow, Danish I think? It came with some fine >linen thread, 36 wooden bobbins and a beginning lace book by Dye. >I'm so totally clueless, any advice is welcome. >What kind of pins should I get? >Can I use any paper for a pricked pattern? >Can I start with a thicker thread, if so what do you recommend that is >currently produced? >Is there a recommended way to move the bobbins? Hand position? >Thanks! I always wanted to try bobbin lace, now I can. >Ta >Carol > >- >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 - 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
