I quite agree with you Alice... At most of the historic sites in our
country, lacemaking is out of place. When I demonstrate at a historic
site, I prefer to do it in the context of art, and not history.
Therefore, I rarely wear a costume, but my normal everyday clothes, and
I careful to tell people that in all probability, the residents of this
home did not make lace. Yet, I can't remember how many times people
have approached me exclaiming that they want to learn to do this so they
can do it at the next reenactment!! My husband participates in "Living
History" events, which are for the purpose of educating people about the
facts and realities of the Civil War. The fact is that during that
time, (at least in Virginia) people were far too busy trying to survive
than to be involved in a frivilous pasttime such as making lace. So I
am very opposed to the notion of Southern Belles sitting in hoop skirts,
making lace while the men are out parading in the field. If truth be
known, I suspect those hoop skirts were only brought out on rare
occasions during the war itself.
OK, I'm climbing off my soapbox now. Sorry if I stepped on any toes...
Clay
Alice Howell wrote:
----- Original Message ----
On a related note, is anyone out there demonstrating lace at historic
sites? If so, what kind of pillows/bobbins are you using, and what kind of
lace are you making? Do you try to replicate a specific time period or do
you just demonstrate the art?
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Yes, members of my guild demo at local historic sites even though lace was not
a normal activity of the early settlers. I live in the far west of the USA and
modern history only started in the 1840's in this country. It was settled by
people who walked across the USA and carried all their possessions in a wagon.
Some of the diaries of the settlers mentioned that a woman might carry a
crochet hook or a tatting shuttle in her pocket clear across the country
because nothing frivolous was allowed in the wagon. Bobbin lace equipment
would not have been included, even if the lady knew how to do it.
The modern ladies in charge of these historic sites just like to see us making
lace, so we are invited back. I'm of mixed opinion if we really should be
doing it when they are featuring the arts and skills used by the settlers.
However, since we are trying to be more visible to people who have never seen
bobbin lace, we go when invited.
Since there is no specific history of lacemaking to refer to, we demo with
whatever type of laces we happen to have on our pillows at the time. Our
display boards show a variety of styles. Usually, when there are 3 or 4 people
making lace, there's a variety of pillows, bobbins, and lace styles for people
to look at.
I prefer to demo at the fairs, quilt shows, churches and festivals instead of
historic sites. It seems more appropriate.
Alice in Oregon.. where the weather has cooled at bit and it's actually nice
outside.
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