I also started my lacemaking (in 1970) with pre-prepared prickings on glazed card. These were sometimes bought, or made by pricking very carefully and accurately through another pricking. The books I started with were Maidment, and Mincoff and Marriage. Then came new books by Doreen Wright and Pam Nottingham, and I learned how to chart patterns on graph paper, or to photocopy them from a book. At first the chart or photocopy was pinned onto glazed card and pricked through. Markings were added with a fine Indian Ink pen. I first went to a class with Marjory Carter in 1980 and I can remember how very particular she was about making an accurate pricking.
I can't remember when I first used blue film over a photocopy, but it made life so much simpler! All the markings were clearly visible, no need to draw them in. I sometimes stuck the photocopy onto thick paper before covering it, and it was then necessary to prick first, before using the pattern. But if I wanted a "quick fix" and was planning only to use the pricking once, I didn't bother - I just pinned the covered photocopy onto the pillow and pricked as I went. Nowadays, I still sometimes design a pattern on graph paper, and then I usually prick through onto card. So I use both methods, ancient and modern. I have two parchment prickings. One is a narrow Bucks point fan edging. The other is a 2.5inch wide Bedfordshire edging which has line end pieces sewn on - I have forgotten what they are called. Both prickings have been tightly rolled, and I have wondered whether they could ever be unrolled and used. I imagine that the parchment would have to be treated in some way to soften it. Kathleen In sunny and cold Berkshire, UK - 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/
