Dear Susan et al,
I know of no book that teaches bobbin lace by starting anywhere than
with what is considered Torchon. It's simplest, and with Torchon under your
belt, you can go a long way. Many of the simpler laces add only one or two
extras, braids, sewings, picots, and come up with a totally different look.
And modern lace seems to use those steps. Perhaps what you want is the
colors and alternate fibers sooner in the process. And watch it, there are
a lot, lot, lot of us who do lace because of the mathematics of it all. I
am probably half Flemish, from way, way, pre-bobbin lace way back, and we
are virtually all of a mathematical bent, although not necessarily numbers
oriented. The beauty of threads going in, doing something, then coming out
and doing something totally different is very satisfying. And you also
mentioned the other end of the spectrum, the number of hits on the new V & A
book, which I went and bought instanter. And for that era, you need
lappets. They are on my list of things to do. As I progress, Mechlin,
Binche, lappets all have more meaning for me because I understand it better.
It's a lot like going to a museum, as I remember doing as a kid, and looking
at the pictures on the wall, but with little or no comprehension as to why
the pictures were there. After years and years of going to museums, some
reading, listening to DH who took the Art History course, and the Alte
Pinakothek in Munich, where the pictures were arranged by era, and each room
had a card which compared the pictures in the room to each other, explained
what was new, and compared them to the room before and the next room. What
an education in a morning. Now I can look at Picasso and understand much
more what he was saying, also Fra Angelico, Rubens, you name it. I suggest
that may also apply here. Modern is all very well and good, but so is the
old, and there's a lot to be said for the plain white. The new beginning
lace book by Jan Tregidgo does a very fine job, but I also noticed that I
understood the structure of the Plain White picture better because I wasn't
distracted by colors. What I'm trying to say is that colors and modern have
their place, and a good place it is, too, but the tried and true, plain
white and old stuff, lasted this long because of what it had to offer. And
my favorite 'songwriter' is J.S. Bach.
Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US, where I'm resting up in the air
conditioning. Tomorrow night will be no air conditioning in Foggy Bottom.
(A/K/A Washington, D.C.) I'm camping. More money for books.
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 6:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [lace] record hits at Lace News & modern lace
Hello All! Well it just proves that good news travels fast--Congratulations
Laurie!! I wonder how many of us shared the link with non-Arachne friends?
For my part, I sent it to the South Florida Fiber Guild as there are some
real "artistes" in that group. I thought there might be some interest & I
received a nice thank you. And if you pause to reflect--look how many
jumped on the link to the 17thC Women's book!?! Perhaps the real value of
the web is the "webiness" of it all--a connectivity that allows us to
instantly share the "good stuff". As to modern lace, I'm with Lyn on that
one--color & form need to speak to the viewer, then allow the appreciation
of more traditional motifs to happen by osmosis, if at all. Lappets,
however beautifully made, aren't going to do it! Which leads me to another
stupid question of the day--why do we teach/learn Torchon lace first? Or am
I misinformed & other teachers are starting at some other point in the
field? How does one keep !
the student interested when the subject is not invigorating? Either I
didn't graduate to the more graceful elements of Torchon or I fail to see it
as such. While it can be hip to be square, Torchon seems too geometric to
my eye. Experts, am I missing something here? BTW--hope everyone has a
great time making lace on the train in North Wales. My visit there was too
short & I'm very envious! Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA
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