Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members (Pipers silk)
Dear Tamara Threads from Pipers can be ordered direct from the website or from a particular dealer in Geelong. They only take about 5 days from the UK though. When was the last time you'd ordered? g I ordered a batch on Sunday/Monday and was told that the delivery date *within UK* is 21 days; God and our president only know when it'll arrive in US... That's interesting. It's probably a couple of years now since I ordered - but it was a big order :) However, it seems as though I'm going to end up using about 5 reels of the white 2/20 on this current Chantilly project. So perhaps I'd better start ordering again soon, as the cloth should be finished about mid next year. David in Ballarat --- Tamara P Duvall http://lorien.emufarm.org/~tpd Lexington, Virginia, USA (Formerly of Warsaw, Poland) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] re: reticent list members
On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 19:16:54 -0500, Sherri wrote: I have been lurking on this list for awhile now - seeing all the posts about a quiet list - maybe you won't mind my asking a few questions. I am a wannabe lacemaker, not even a beginner - I have bobbins, some thread and pins, even a few prickings - I have balked at the purchase of a pillow and would like to know: snip 2. And how would you recommend that a beginner learn on her/his own? I live in an area where there are no lacemakers and no lacemaking classes. Is there a book that's especially good for beginners? A particular type of lace that is best for beginners to start with? This list likes questions, there's always something new to learn. For some, like me, answering newbie questions now is a sort of 'repayment' for the help I received here as an absolute beginner. You've had some answers to your first question, so I'll tackle the second one. I learned on my own from books. My recommendation is to try to get hold of 2 beginner books, using library facilities if possible. Two books are very much better than one because each author has their own way of explaining, so what I didn't understand in one book could usually be sorted out by reading a different explanation in the other book. Also for the first few pieces I did it was handy to have one book open at the pattern I was working, and the other one open at the explanations of the basic stitches. Most beginner lacemakers start with Torchon as this is good foundation. It is a geometric lace based on a regular grid which is a little easier to follow at first than a lace based on curves. Having said that, if a beginner knows exactly what lace they aim to make long term, then it is quite possible to start with something else. When lace was made commercially children started by learning the easiest patterns of the laces made where they lived. My website has a list of comments by members of Arachne, compiled by Winifred Keefer from discussions of beginner books in 1996 and 1999. Some of the books are out of print, but they may be available second hand. The list is at: http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/bobbinlace/begbook.htm -- The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it. Laurence Stern Steph Peters [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tatting, lace stitching page http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm Scanned by WinProxy http://www.Ositis.com/ - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] re: reticent list members
Dear Sherri, Welcome! And let me, on behalf of the Arachne list, assure you that we don't mind questions of any sort!! Asking questions is how you learn. Pillows: there are all sorts of pillows around the world, and, depending on where you live, I'm sure that someone will be able to recommend a supplier of an economical pillow to start with. Here in Australia, most beginners start with a styrene-type pillow (not just the fruit box variety, which breaks down as soon you put a pin in it), shaped a bit like a mushroom. They are quite economical to buy, last quite a long time. I usually advise a beginner to use one of these pillows to learn the basics. Then, once you've learnt a bit more, and perhaps developed the feeling about which type of lace you're likely to specialise in, buy a pillow especially suited to that type of lace. For instance, I make a lot of long lengths of lace, so I have a pillow which has a roller in it, and I just work round and round the roller until I've got enough length for whatever project I'm working. I taught myself lacemaking from Rosemary Shepherd's book An Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking. It was based on a series of correspondence lessons which Rosemary wrote especially for lacemakers living hundreds of miles away from a teacher (in Australia). So, as you can imagine, it contains step by step and detailed instructions which enable someone to become a competent lacemaker on their own. Most people would prefer to have a teacher beside them, but I honestly feel that having to nut out a problem by myself made me a better lacemaker. I frequently meet lacemakers who've been making the same type lace for 20 or 25 years, and still need someone to tell them what to do next - because they've always been so reliant on a teacher to give them minute instructions (and because the teacher has been silly enough to do so!) Again, depending on where you live, someone should be able to tell you where you can get Rosemary's book, or some other substitute. Good luck with the lacemaking! Ruth Budge (Sydney, Australia) Sherri Butler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:I have been lurking on this list for awhile now - seeing all the posts about a quiet list - maybe you won't mind my asking a few questions. I am a wannabe lacemaker, not even a beginner - I have bobbins, some thread and pins, even a few prickings - I have balked at the purchase of a pillow and would like to know: 1. What type of pillow most of you would recommend? Is there such a thing as an economically priced lace pillow? 2. And how would you recommend that a beginner learn on her/his own? I live in an area where there are no lacemakers and no lacemaking classes. Is there a book that's especially good for beginners? A particular type of lace that is best for beginners to start with? Thanks for any advice and I hope you pardon such ignorance. :-) Sherri Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.movies.yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
Dear Jen, Here goes. Why isn't thread manufactured today that is as fine as those available in the early lace-making days. I'd have thought that with the technology available these days (fibre optics, micro and nanotechnology etc etc) that small wouldn't be a problem. If they could do it in the 1700's, why not now? The threads certainly are available today. Can I recommend you do a google search for the website of Pipers silks in the UK. I am currently using their 2/20 silk for a large Chantilly piece and loving it. That's pretty fine - and they're not the only ones. Silkeborg in Denmark also comes to mind. I'm fairly sure 180 cotton is still around. Egyptian 170/2 certainly is as well. Threads from Pipers can be ordered direct from the website or from a particular dealer in Geelong. They only take about 5 days from the UK though. Regards David in Ballarat - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
My question Jen, is where can we buy 100 micron wire for Lenka's lace ideas. Lynn Scott, Wollongong, Australia - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
Having spent a great deal of time trying to find fine linen thread, I'll pass on the reasons I was given for it no longer being available. To get fine thread, flax has to be grown very close together, so that it competes for light and nutrients, and becomes long and thin rather than a 'healthier' size (same thing happens to all plants grown without suffucient light). Then this flax, after retting and various other processes has to be spun, which requires a skilled spinner to cope with the fineness (and therefor delicacy) of the thread. When lots of this thread was needed for lace and I presume other things, it was commercially viable to grow and manufacture it. Sadly now, so little is required that it isn't commercially viable. Add this on to the shift in attitude from 'serving the public' to 'best bottom line', and perhaps we will understand why, as there are so few of us working in the finest threads now, no-one is likely to start making it again. Occasionally old thread is available, but without knowing how it's been stored and what state it's in, I'm always wary of paying a huge price for it. Edith North Nottinghamshire [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
I had also heard that some of the varieties (for want of a more accurate phrase) of truly fine linen plants went extinct around the time of/during WWI. --sue, another lurking list member who just really doesn't ever have much to contribute Edith Holmes wrote: Having spent a great deal of time trying to find fine linen thread, I'll pass on the reasons I was given for it no longer being available. To get fine thread, flax has to be grown very close together, so that it competes for light and nutrients, and becomes long and thin rather than a 'healthier' size (same thing happens to all plants grown without suffucient light). Then this flax, after retting and various other processes has to be spun, which requires a skilled spinner to cope with the fineness (and therefor delicacy) of the thread. When lots of this thread was needed for lace and I presume other things, it was commercially viable to grow and manufacture it. Sadly now, so little is required that it isn't commercially viable. Add this on to the shift in attitude from 'serving the public' to 'best bottom line', and perhaps we will understand why, as there are so few of us working in the finest threads now, no-one is likely to start making it again. Occasionally old thread is available, but without knowing how it's been stored and what state it's in, I'm always wary of paying a huge price for it. Edith North Nottinghamshire [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
Hello Jen and all there is no such thing as a dumb question! If you don't ask, how are you going to learn! Cannot help with the wire, and not much on the thread one, but: at an OIDFA meeting in Sweden, we had, let's call it a lively discussion, with a representative of a linen thread manufacturer. His point was, they did not make very fine thread because noone bought it, and, of course, our position was, we don't buy it if it is not available. Chicken and the egg! Greetings from freezing Spain, Eva ___ Gesendet von Yahoo! Mail - Jetzt mit 100MB Speicher kostenlos - Hier anmelden: http://mail.yahoo.de - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
Hello Jennifer, Flax is a very difficult plant and to become thread is a very long working process so it is very expensive. And the consumption of such fine linnen thread is so few that nobody is interested to do this heavy work and it would cost much more than it actually do. And in former time nearly everywhere in Europe flax was cultivated and much more things were made from linnen than today. There was a time you couldn't find any flax-field in Germany. we have a company outside of Hamburg who cultivate since a few years again flax but only for technical purposes. Greetings Ilske - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
Jen, I do wire bobbin lace and have gotten the gauges (US) from my local surplus store or from a source online in NJ. Yes, you can use the wire from the shop, but I make sure it is coated wire with an enamel coating. Usually the enamel is colored, hence, red wire, green wire, copper wire, etc. The coating is a protection from the wire tarnishing. This is desirable for me, but depends on the purpose the wire is being used for. The gauges I use are from 30 (largish) to 33 which is fine. When I use a 30 gauge wire, it is usually a single strand. When I use a 32 gauge wire, it is usually double stranded, depending on the design. I have designed some things using the double strands. Lenka has some patterns which are single in this gauge and very wonderfully done. And 33 gauge is usually tripled. Since my patterns are using just the two elements of plaits and leaves, these suggested gauges and thickness work very well. If you are interested in learning more, I have a page called a brief study in wire bobbin lace on my web page. You may find it informative and useful. Dianna Stevens Kent Washington, USA www.domesticarts.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members
The wire Lenka uses (and so do several others) is from/the type used in coils for electric motors. Old rotary phones have lovely colors. Try shops that repair electric motors or co. that make the coils. This is not an item found at your typical craft or hardware store -you must 'think outside the box'. Lorri -who does wire lace also - Original Message - From: DonLynnmailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Jennifer Audsleymailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 1:23 AM Subject: Re: [lace] Re: reticent list members My question Jen, is where can we buy 100 micron wire for Lenka's lace ideas. Lynn Scott, Wollongong, Australia - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
