Devon said:- But, an interesting situation that I am encountering is that people who are not in the lace world already are more readily attracted to large pieces, and ones with irregular stitching because they can see what is happening in them. When there are exquisite small pieces that use the techniques perfectly and in a sophisticated way, members of the public tend to blank out and not even think about how the piece is made. Thus it becomes less interesting.
This is so true. My lace group has demonstrated at an agricultural show and the most real interest and questions was directed at the novice working with 8 pairs and perle 5 thread. She was then able to explain that the worker next to her, doing exquisite Bucks on a velvet pillow with 150+ bobbins, was doing exactly the same thing - making a stitch with 4 bobbins and holding it in place with a pin. On a personal note, I was was interested in bobbin lace but getting started seemed too hard, the equipment needed, the seemingly intricate techniques. Then I came across the Kliots book "Bobbin Lace : Form by the Twisting of Cords' - a revelation. Garden twine wound on sticks making wall hangings and garden screens, and wonderfully clear pictures that made the stitches look easy. So I jumped right in. A year later I was making wedding lace in fine silk for my daughter. Phil In Maitland NSW Australia - 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/
