Hi Arachnids I fully agree with Adele. I started learning from books (pre Pam Nottingham, only Maidment, Mincoff & Marriage, 2 by the Tebbs sisters, Devonia and de Dillmontâs DMC Encyclopaedia of Needlework. I did not have my first lesson until after I started teaching and shortly after that went to the first Lace Guild Teachers convention in 1978 where I was very surprised to find that my standard of lacemaking compared favourably with the best! I had been assessing my results against those shown in the books and, of course, most were made by the best teachers at the time. Later on I was fortunately able to go to Knuston Hall once a year and take classes with Vi Bullard and Barbara Underwood. I learned a lot from them, but even without them I could have achieved a good standard. Constantly assess your lace and look for places where it could be improved, then work on them. Donât take all you read at face value. Think about it, and when you find alternative techniques try them all and decide which you prefer. You may find one that works best in one situation but another works best in a different situation. I have written several in depth articles on specific topics for my local groups newsletter and I have put them on my website www.alexstillwell.wordpress.com You might find them useful.
I have been heard to say that I never had the disadvantage of a teacher, not all are good and many pass on bad habits. Blow the dust, concentrate on your lacemaking Alex - 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/
