What is it about lace making that keeps you interested and how has that changed over the course of your learning?
For me lace patterns are puzzles for solving and I am fascinated by the way the threads work to create pictures and the techniques we can use to produce them. For may years I never made a finished item, only samples so that I could explore as many techniques as possible. (The little girl in a sweetshop syndrome.) Also there were few prickings available then and I had to master pattern drafting, my maths/science background was invaluable. In time I reached the stage of being able to make lace of a quality that satisfied me, then I started making finished items. I did not know that I could design until I went on a macrame course with Nancy Kimmins and after the first day she said 'Now go away and design a piece using these knots and bring it next time'. I didn't think I had enough design ability to fill the tip of one little finger, so I found a book and tried copying a bag. The thread was the wrong texture and size and would not make the knots as per the photo, so I had to change them. Hence the finished piece bore no resemblance to the original and that is the secret of learning to design. I have not looked back. I have found that writing books on the subject gives me the best excuse possible to sit and make lace rather than do housework. Happy lacemaking Alex - 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
