Re: [lace] Simple needlelace question
Hi Helen I'm no needlelace expert (let alone guru), just someone who enjoyed making a bit of needlelace until arthritis in my thumb made all hand-sewing/embroidery too painful to continue, but I reckon for me the natural way to make the stitch comes out opposite on alternate directions and that's how it's shown in the diagram for double brussels stitch at the beginning of Catherine Barley's book; I'd never even thought whether it was possible to make it look the same, and the results look ok to me, the stitch tension is the most important thing and that won't come right if the movement of making the stitch feels awkward or uncomfortable. What do our real needlelace experts on arachne think? Beth In a damp, chilly Cheshire (NW England) PS Anyone have any ideas what to do with a very large needlelace UFO? - I spent 10 years playing with the idea and collecting silk threads for a wide collar of autumn leaves, finally got the outlines worked out on paper and arthritis struck just as I'd finished laying the cordonnet; I'm unlikely ever to be able to work at it for more than 10 minutes at a time (even sewing a button back onto a garment is painful) so no hope of completing it... Helen wrote: Dear Needlelace Gurus, I have a really basic question. I've received conflicting answers from 'experts' so I'm now confused. When you are making the 'buttonhole' stitch from right to left, is it supposed to look identical to when made from left to right or is it supposed to be the opposite? I do hope that this makes sense! Many thanks in advance ... Regards, Helen - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
RE: [lace] Simple needlelace question
Good Morning Helen, A short answer to your question - no. It's not supposed to look identical. I've just checked out one of my pieces with a magnifying glass to make sure. Off to needlelace group this after noon! Best wishes, Liz Pass In dull and cloudy Poole, Dorset. To: Lace Subject: [lace] Simple needlelace question is it supposed to look identical to when made from left to right or is it supposed to be the opposite? I do hope that this makes sense! Many thanks in advance ... Regards, Helen. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] Another needlelace question
The designs for needlelace were often copied in machine made lace but was the technique of needlelace ever copied as in some of the bobbin laces?? Jeanette Fischer, Western Cape, South Africa. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Simple needlelace question
I've had just enough needlelace experience to be dangerous. G I was taught by an expert, but arthritis makes my results nothing to brag about. No, the threads lie differently going the two directions. It's the nature of the stitch. That might be one reason the stitch was developed that works across the row, then returns with a straight line back to the start, then the next row of stitches overlaps the straight row. It makes a more solid fill stitch and all the stitches are alike. This would sooth the soul of the person who has to have everything lined up neatly. However, by the time an area is worked over and back until filled, then threads all blend together and the very slight difference between the two directional stitches is not noticed. So, just plunge right in and enjoy your lace. I'm sure you're doing just fine. Alice in Oregon -- where it's been raining for 3 days and won't stop for another 4 or more. Been doing lots of lace. On Friday, November 21, 2014 11:02 PM, Helen Clarke hcl...@mac.com wrote: Dear Needlelace Gurus, I have a really basic question. I've received conflicting answers from 'experts' so I'm now confused. When you are making the 'buttonhole' stitch from right to left, is it supposed to look identical to when made from left to right or is it supposed to be the opposite? I do hope that this makes sense! Many thanks in advance ... Regards, Helen. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Another needlelace question
Needlelace 'technique' would not transfer to bobbin lace, but the 'style' of the finished item was copied. You just need to look at the old pieces of Reticella to see the similarity in the designs. Then bobbin lace makers started exploring their own capabilities and a wide variety of styles appeared across Europe. The reverse was also true. As new styles of lace became popular, the needlelace people adapted their patterns to produce a similar look so they could compete in the marketplace. Alice in Oregon On Saturday, November 22, 2014 5:00 AM, Jeanette Fischer jeane...@maxitec.co.za wrote: The designs for needlelace were often copied in machine made lace but was the technique of needlelace ever copied as in some of the bobbin laces?? Jeanette Fischer, Western Cape, South Africa. - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/ - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
RE: [lace] Another needlelace question
I am sorry, I did not phrase my question well! What I would like to know is: Was the technique of needlelace ever used in machine made lace. Was only the designs copied or did they try to imitate the technique as well. Jeanette Fischer, South Africa. The designs for needlelace were often copied in machine made lace but was the technique of needlelace ever copied as in some of the bobbin laces?? Jeanette Fischer, Western Cape, South Africa. - - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Simple needlelace question
Helen writes: [I've received conflicting answers from 'experts' so I'm now confused. When you are making the 'buttonhole' stitch from right to left, is it supposed to look identical to when made from left to right or is it supposed to be the opposite? ] It is true, as several have commented, that the stitch will look different when done in the opposite direction. However, it is often the practice after working a row, to take the thread back to the beginning of the row using a straight return or a whipped return. This means that you don't stitch back in the opposite direction, you just take the thread back. Then you work the next row of stitches in the same direction as the previous one, often enclosing the return thread. So when you look at a piece of needle lace all the stitches may appear identical because they have all been worked in the same direction. Devon - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
Re: [lace] Simple needlelace question
Devon said ...Then you work the next row of stitches in the same direction as the previous one, often enclosing the return thread. So when you look at a piece of needle lace all the stitches may appear identical because they have all been worked in the same direction. But don't forget that once your piece is finished you (and everyone else) will be looking at the whole work of art, not individual stitches.  The corded stitches look far more different from the uncorded ones than the buttonhole stitches worked in the two different directions do.  The former shows from a distance (which is why there are both varieties in common usage),  the latter often needs a magnifying glass.  Don't sweat the small stuff. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
[lace] simple needlelace question
Helen When buttonhole stitch is worked right to left it looks like a mirror image of left to right buttonhole stitch. Look at the close-ups among the photos on needlelacetalk. As to the question about machine copies of needlelace, no I don't think they copy the exact thread movements. To get the same thread paths you would have to have a single needle working horizontal to the surface of the lace (parallel horizontal). Far too complex a motion. The best copies of style that I have seen were made with chemical lace (Schiffli machine) methods. This is actually embroidery on fabric, later dissolved. Lorelei http://needlelacetalk.ning.com/photo - 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://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
