I have a "demonstration" pillow that I only work on when in public. It has been
in use for many years. It has a simple but pretty torchon pattern and it has
several yards attached. My bobbins are strictly utilitarian - noone is the
least interested in stealing them. I don't use my pretty and/or antique
bobbins
because I would rather folks looked at the lace. I welcome onlookers to touch
the lace - yes it will be a bit grubby when finally taken off for use. but it
was meant to be washed in the first place if used as a trim on clothing. My
"show pieces" are all framed or in plastic sheet protectors so noone can
finger
those . The yardage seems to satisfy that impulse anyway. By demonstrating
with
a simple pattern, I can make the point that it really is not a hard craft to
master, just as simple cross and twist - two movements like knitting. I found
that having a complex piece just put people off - sooo many bobbins! With a
simple piece I can assure them that with a bit of concentration and practise
they could be doing the same thing in a couple of months. (Plus I don't have
to to take out a lot of mistakes that always seem to happen when I am lacing
and
talking at the same time which would be discouraging on a complicated piece).
And I have shown that it doesn't take a fortune to get into the craft - 3
dozen utilitarian bobbins, a home made pillow, and some thread and they would
be
in business.
The funniest comment I ever received was from a young boy who dashed up and
said "What are you doing with the little baseball bats, lady?"
Trenna Ruffner
Michigan
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