But don't forget that even the middle, straight cloth stitch passives use more than the length of the braid, as they are going up and down through the weave.
The edge passives are used along with the workers for any plaited/leaf fillings so they can need a lot more thread. The cable or chain gimp(s) (which is/are what give Russian lace a lot of their texture and impact) are constantly twisting so also need more than a direct measurement. As far as I can see the colours on Gutterman's silks are constant enough that you could work the first section and then buy as many spools as that indicates you'll need. Do some samples to be sure you want to work it in silk, how many pairs (worker, 2 twisted edge passives, 2 or 4 plain passives, 1 or 2 gimp pairs) and to choose what thread you are going to use for your much thicker gimp. Russian lace normally is made with a matt finish thread with the thick gimp sometimes having a sheen. More important is to think what pillow you're going to use to work a large project like this, where there will be times you are working towards yourself, at the far side of the lace. If you don't get it right you'll have nagging back and shoulder ache and not be able to work the long hours needed to finish it in three months. The bolero (assuming it was the pale blue one that's been on Facebook today that you saw) was probably worked on a large bolster pillow which allows you to twist and turn with the lace, and stay relatively close to where you're working, but you'd need to work palms up with open stitches. Not easy to start off with. If you are doing your own design may I suggest that you do it such a way as you be able to work just the fronts, or the whole thing. Start with a front and then if you can see part way through that either time or dedication constraints make the whole thing unachievable, you could make just the fronts with a fabric back. Unless you work fairly fast, it can get tedious to do. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - 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/
