This is not something I have ever come across, to this extent. I have 'acquired' over the years several people who were originally self taught (as I was myself), and have found they fall into two main categories.  One (into which I complacently put myself) are those who have read carefully, and also carefully studied the illustrations, and not only have got the hang of the basic techniques but have also noticed that the threads should be tensioned and the whole should look crisp.
The other group are those who have got the basics but haven't noticed that the threads need to be tensioned and usually they quickly get the hang of the extra techniques and are delighted in the improvement in their lace. So long as all the bobbins are wound the same way, there is no right or wrong.  It depends entirely on the culture the student is learning from. Just because I choose to wind mine clockwise doesn't mean I object to teaching those who wind counter-clockwise, or that I have any problem with their hitch. Even among those I teach from scratch there are those who have problems with the bobbins running, but having suggested variations in technique to suit different thread/bobbin combinations I usually point out to them it is one of the Murphy's Laws of lacemaking. So long as it distresses you, your bobbins will run. As soon as you can deal with them promptly and confidently enough for it not to bother you any more, they stop doing it. And as for someone who has her twists and crosses mixed, she has just learnt to undo before she learnt to do. I have never come across this one, but as I try to teach people to undo as a strict reverse of doing, and for most people I haven't taught previously (whether self taught or from a previous teacher) this is a new concept, I don't see it would be any harder to show someone how to go forward correctly. Perhaps being self taught I have a more positive attitude to others also self taught. I do know that when I first joined a class I was amazed at the way the other students would switch off thinking the moment they got stuck, and wait for the teacher, instead of at least trying to work out what was wrong so I enjoy the slightly different way self taughters approach their work. Jacquie in Lincolnshire Sent from Samsung tablet - 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/
