I've not seen a review of Gilian Dye's new book "Gold & Silver Edgings - 16th & 17th Century Lace - Book 1", published by Cleveden Press, 2012, ISBN 978-0-9553223-3-4, 60 pages, soft cover, amply illustrated in color. Gil has done extensive research and development of instructions for those of us who are costumers, historians, SCA members, and interested in making metallic laces we have seen in early portraits, garments and furnishings in museums. All the reconstructions done by Gil (a long-time member of _Lace@Arachne_ (mailto:Lace@Arachne) ) bring us into the collections every one of us would love to visit in England and Scotland: Alnwick Castle, Fashion Museum (formerly Museum of Costume) in Bath, Burrell Collection, Gawthorpe Hall, Forge Mill Museum, Museum of London, Victoria & Albert, Platt Hall, Nottingham Museum, and Stonyhurst College. Gil explains that her 1995 "Elizabethan Lace" book was written with the mindset of a 20th C. lacemaker. She has written this "first companion" (reviewer's description) book via the approach early lacemakers would have been most likely to have used. She is at work on the next book in this series. They are treasures for those who love this period in history. Supplies available today are identified, threads of today are photographed, and old laces are explained. In some cases it is possible to get supplies from re-enactment suppliers. Spangles for lace (similar to modern flat sequins) are described, but must currently be cut by the lacemaker. Bobbins for use with metallic threads are described and pictured, including a pair threaded with spangles. (Not to be confused with spangled bobbins - bobbins with beads added to weight the bobbin and prevent rolling on the lace pillow.) Worked samples are shown at the original size, using thread appropriate for the scale of work. In conclusion, it is to be noted that Gil's much loved 1995 64-page book "Elizabethan Lace" is still available, having been re-published by Jean Leader's business, Cleveden Press, in Glasgow. In the U.S., Holly Van Sciver and Maria Provencer have both books. In Germany, Barbara Fay stocks them, as do several suppliers in the UK. They can also be obtained directly from Gil ([email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) ). Lace book authors are finding it necessary to self-publish and limit distribution to our traditional suppliers. I have no business connection with any lace book authors or suppliers. It will be easier for you to find books if you are told where they can be obtained, so I've done the asking for everyone.
Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - 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/albums/most-recent
