Re: [lace] Joyce Symes' book
Hi I agree. The book is a joy Jean. Maureen E Yorks UK - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] St. Martin's Day Fair in Tallinn, Estonia
Dear Friends, On Thursday, 10th Nov., I travelled up to Tallinn for the day to visit the event known as Mardilaat which is an annual Handwork Crafts Fair. It had been three years since I had visited this event, so I was wondering if there was anything new this year. I was able to greet other lacemakers whom I knew from Pärnu, Narva, Tallinn as well as a few from Tartu. The highlight for me was meeting 2 ladies from The Netherlands who have recently published their first knitting book titled Warme Handen/Warm Hands based on Estonian knitting patterns techniques. I was informed that the English translation was done by a young Australian man who is also a knitter is one of the models. I also bought a bobbin lace ornament from a Slovakian lacemaker who was visiting Tallinn. I've posted a few photos in my Webshots album. Enjoy the up coming week, Pene - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Be Linen
Hello All! Today's subject on Mary Corbet's site (www.needlenthread.com) is Be Linen 2, a video on modern applications of European flax. So after watching it on Vimeo, I tuned in to the original Be Linen. All I can say is WOW! The fiber junkies among us probably know everything that is shown on the videos more, but I had no idea. Not much lace content, but some brief footage of thread production some unusual couturier fabrics that had a lacy appearance. In French, English subtitles. Have fun. Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Stiffening Lace
I've used spray starch for stiffening small articles of lace. Just small fun things, nothing precious. Does anyone know if starch adversely affects lace? Ann Yorkshire UK. -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter. We are a community of 7 million users fighting spam. SPAMfighter has removed 887 of my spam emails to date. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len The Professional version does not have this message - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Lace in ANOMYMOUS
Beloved and I both had a day off on Friday so we went to the movies to see ANONYMOUS. It was an interesting movie about whether Shakespeare actually wrote his plays. While it wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, it was pure eye candy as period pieces go. I found myself focusing at the laces on the clothes. Granted, I'm not an expert, but it was good to see that they seemed to be fairly accurate in most of their in their choices. Found myself saying this one looks like a needle lace or that could have been done with bobbins. It was interesting, too, to see the laces not only in white, but in colors. Tried to find some pictures on the movie's site, but the laces are not shown in good detail. I guess you have to see it on the big screen to appreciate it. Peg in Cleveland Hts OH today, getting ready for an afternoon of playing with my lace. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
[lace] Stiffening Lace
In message A22D986D76754EBE9E701D763361ECBB@PC, ann.humphreys ann.humphr...@talktalk.net writes Does anyone know if starch adversely affects lace? We had to do an exercise for City Guilds, using various different methods of stiffening on cotton and synthetic lace (we used machine made lace for this!). I repeated the exercise with a group of my students, in 2006, remembering this time to write the date on the piece of paper the samples were mounted on! Of the original batch, after about 8-10 years, the synthetic sample stiffened with a well-known store branded window blind stiffener (they are now out of business after many years of trading!) had started to go black in places. The other pieces were all OK. However, starch is a food for insects, moths, etc, so be careful what you use it on, and don't put a piece of lace that has been starched away in storage without washing the starch out first - you don't want to check it in months to come to find it part eaten! The dilute PVA (water soluble, not the solvent one) glue method is reckoned to be the safest, but I learnt from a friend who is into model railways that you need to add a tiny spot of washing up liquid to destroy the surface tension, otherwise, as happened with my Rainbow Choker (which very nearly ended up in the bin, but won a Medal of Excellence in The Lace Guild's Myth or Mystery competition in 2004) it fills in the holes with a film of dry glue... I ended up using sugar solution (the age old method!) which stiffened it enough for it to hang sideways on whilst in the exhibition for three months without the plaited lace moving out of shape! Both PVA and sugar solutions can be washed out. A lot in the choice of stiffener depends on the climate conditions you live in - so producing and keeping these samples can help you choose what will stand up to your local conditions, too. -- Jane Partridge - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
Re: [lace] Stiffening Lace - Conservation Advice
Dear Ann, Did you check the Arachne archives to see what has been written on this subject? Most things you would spray starch (the modern starch products) are used regularly, whereas a collection of fine laces is often put away for long stretches of time. If left in a textile, spray starch will sometimes cause the article to turn from white to slightly beige/yellow. The change in ecru or dark threads will not be visible. If the item is newish and you find a change due to the spray starch, you can soak it in distilled water and remove the starch. If the item is antique, it is best to avoid doing anything that would require washing (since most people have not been trained to clean laces). I worry about long-term storage. You say small items - not precious. For those who would take my words as carte blanche to starch things like a heirloom bridal accessory or christening gown -- you must be very careful and have them laundered after use, put them away without ironing, then starch and press them when they are put to use again. I have used spray starch, but only on items to which I am not sentimentally attached. I have a schedule for checking my collection of laces regularly, to be sure that they do not change, and that insects or dampness has not invaded the archival boxes in which they are stored. A reminder from my previous postings on the subject of starches, bleaches, and cleaning products (preferably the Orvus soap used by museums): The formulas of commercial products may change from time-to-time, so there is no guarantee, even though most people might say they are safe (from their past experience). It is necessary to be vigilant when dealing with precious items that you treasure if you would be devastated if they were to be damaged. Therefore, do not store lace in attics, cellars, or closets that you do not monitor regularly. Stable temperature and humidity are advised. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center In a message dated 11/13/2011 1:22:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ann.humphr...@talktalk.net writes: I've used spray starch for stiffening small articles of lace. Just small fun things, nothing precious. Does anyone know if starch adversely affects lace? Ann Yorkshire UK. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
