Pillow Or Bobbin Lace

Modern, step-by-step approach shows how to create every variety of bobbin lace, from the simplest stitches to the most challenging patterns. Suitable for needleworkers at all levels. 279 illustrations.

Step-by-step instructions, carefully graded projects for creating Torchon, Bedfordshire, Braided, Modern, other exquisite laces. 26 patterns including motifs for bookmarks, edgings, inserts, corners, medallions. 229 illustrations, including over 50 3-color stitch diagrams.

Torchon lacemaking is a textile art steeped in tradition and the skills required are often perceived to be beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. In this practical book, Jan Tregidgo describes those skills through a step-by-step guide and makes them accessible to all. She explains traditional techniques through a series of specially designed samplers, which can be worked in order by the beginner or in any order they choose by the more experienced. Although colour is not traditional in bobbin lace, it has been used here to great effect so the path of each thread can be clearly followed through the sampler. The book covers essential equipment and materials, described in detail; traditional techniques are fully explained through a sequence of specially designed samplers; instructions for a super-beaded sampler; advice on adapting and designing your own patterns; guide to joining and mounting lace; helpful troubleshooting hints; and information on suppliers and museums with lace collections. This is an indispensable guide for all lacemakers, textile artists and designers, and is superbly illustrated with over 700 colour illustrations including step-by-step photographs and simple diagrams to ensure that each stage is understood.

Superb step-by-step guide enables even beginners to create beautiful lace according to age-old technique. Edgings, doilies, squares, petals, picots, more. Projects graded, simple to advanced. 249 illustrations. Bibliography.

To create her stunning coloured bobbin lace designs, award-winning lacemaker Sandi Woods often takes inspiration from the letters of the alphabet, shaping, manipulating and combining them to form organic, sinuous shapes. She likens the process to the game 'Chinese Whispers' – a pattern starts as a simple letter, but is developed further, often until the original form is barely recognizable. Sandi's painterly use of coloured thread to suggest shape and form adds further beauty to her work. This fully illustrated book contains instructions for the exquisite 'Leafy Glade Alphabet'. Each letter has one basic template but two alternative designs, one using simple bobbin lace stitches, the other using more complex Milanese braids. Though each letter is worked in a different set of colours, all the colourways are interchangeable, and, of course, they can be worked in white. The book then goes on to include 24 more abstract designs, such as 'Chinese Seedling' and 'Blackthorn Sprig', all of which were originally developed from the letters of the alphabet. Comprehensive instructions are given for each pattern, including prickings, linear outlines, pin reference charts and full pin-by-pin directions.