In the past I taught dozens of children from about age 5 years through teens to make bobbin lace. The most fun was with a group of 10 six grade boys. The teacher said Good Luck and closed the door! These 12-year old boys made their own lace tell and had great rhythm and were extremely proud of their finished product to take home at the end of the hour - and it was the easiest group I ever taught, much to the surprise of their teacher.
About lace in Scandinavian school. I grew up in Denmark and did embroidery, knitting, crocheting, machine sewing, etc for an hour a week through junior high. Apparently I never had a teacher who knew how to make lace - I learned that later from my mother (who had learned it in school). I hear from my relatives it is no longer part of the curriculum in the public schools in Denmark. For the last 12 years several of us have demonstrated bobbin lace once a month at the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington, DC. Our visitors come from all over the globe. A few have seen or heard of lace being made by hand, but most are amazed to see lace being made. The hands-on pillow always have eager participants, especially boys and girls, but also many adults of both sexes. It would be wonderful knowing if any of them ever follow up at home. Karen in Washington, DC - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
