In message <[email protected]>, cahuff
<[email protected]> writes
HI
I just got a nice roller pillow, Danish I think? It came with some fine
linen thread, 36 wooden bobbins and a beginning lace book by Dye.
I'm so totally clueless, any advice is welcome.
What kind of pins should I get?
Can I use any paper for a pricked pattern?
Can I start with a thicker thread, if so what do you recommend that is
currently produced?
Is there a recommended way to move the bobbins? Hand position?
Thanks! I always wanted to try bobbin lace, now I can.
Ta
Carol
This link will take you to the "How Lace is Made" video on The Lace
Guild's website, which might answer some of your questions:-
http://www.laceguild.demon.co.uk/craft/technique.html
The pins you use will depend upon the thread you are using, the thicker
the thread, the more sturdy the pins need to be. Most beginners will
work with something like Coton Perle 8, so ordinary dressmaking pins -
use stainless steel ones, though traditionally brass pins were used. The
reason for this is that brass doesn't rust. Hence you need to watch for
corrosion as this might make marks you don't want on your thread.
There has been a lot of discussion on paper versus the more traditional
pricking card. The reason for using card is that it helps to support the
pins in the correct position. The card you use needs to be smooth, so
that you don't get fibres mixed in with your lace, and free of any dyes
that might stain your lace if the card gets damp. Paper is OK for a
quick sample, but I wouldn't do yards with a paper pricking no matter
what the others say! The most important thing is to protect the thread
from any risk of staining, so if you photocopy or draw pattern markings
with a non-waterproof pen (don't believe the manufacturers unless they
stamp "waterproof" on the pen itself!) use a clear plastic self-adhesive
contact film (which can be any colour, pale blue or green, or
colourless, is best) as you would use for covering books (you can remove
the shininess with a pan-scourer, or buy matt film to start with) over
the pattern before you prick it to protect your work.
The size of thread depends on the size of the grid the pattern is based
on. Start with patterns that use thicker thread but do try use those
recommended in the book if possible. If in doubt as to possible
substitutes of the same thickness, ask here - Brenda Paternoster (who is
on Arachne) has written a book (now on Edition 5) Threads for Lace which
is useful for this. A different colour thread on each pair will help you
see where the threads are going, and help you to begin to understand the
lace. This is especially helpful if you come to work a sampler of the
different ground stitches, as you get to see what effect a different
combination of cross and twist has on the path the threads take. Try to
stick to natural fibres - some man made fibres have a lot of stretch in
them and that makes tensioning difficult for a beginner.
Different pillows, bobbins and laces call for different methods of
working. I came to the conclusion that the German type of roller pillow
(a supported cylinder) needed palm up working with continental bobbins,
whereas a cookie or block pillow with Midlands (spangled) bobbins is
possibly best worked palms down - I can't comment on palms up, having
only ever worked palms down!
There are various videos available that show you what to do, some on
U-tube (I think), some that Christine and David Springett have produced
and sell through various suppliers, and so on, a Google search might
help, but be warned that if you simply put in the word "lace" you might
not be taken to the sort of web site you would want to be looking at!!!!
It might be best if you find a teacher nearby, or another lacemaker who
can guide you through the early stages. In the UK, The Lace Guild has a
list of teachers and groups (see http://laceguild.org) and I'm sure the
other national and international groups will do likewise. If you say
where you are, there might be someone on Arachne who is near you, or
knows someone who can help.
Above all, never be afraid to ask what might seem the silliest of
questions on this list, we all started as absolute beginners with no
idea of what to do, and we will be pleased to help. You might get a
dozen different answers, but it does encourage discussion on a quiet
day!
Finally, if you make a start and decide it grows too slowly for you,
don't feel a failure - not everyone takes to lace. At least you will
have tried!
--
Jane Partridge
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