The Potting Shed

Haize · 3 Star Club Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 1126

Wikipedia has a vast array of information about lace types, but if anyone would like to add information on the type that they do, feel free.

There are a large variety of types of lace, but there are three main groups - bobbin lace, needlepoint, and cutwork. For cutwork, the starting point is a piece of fabric, from which threads are removed to create voids. Often, the removed threads are then used to sew further decoration onto the fabric. Needlepoint is obviously worked with a needle, but has the most varied results, due to the many techniques, so is difficult to summarise. Bobbin lace is also a term for a whole set of different techniques, however, all of these are worked on cushion using threads weighted at both ends by the bobbins. Twists are made between pairs of threads, and pins used to hold the twists in place as you work along the pattern.

A good starting point with bobbin lace is Torchon lace. Torchon means "duster" in French, so it was not generally regarded as being the poshest of products! However, despite being able to be one of the simplest forms of lace, it can still be made quite complex and difficult! The defining characteristic of Torchon lace is the type of grid used to locate the pins - lines drawn on the grid meet at 45° or 90°. Other types of bobbin lace tend to be named after the geographical area in which they were used. One called Bucks Point often uses a grid with lines crossing at 30°, so pieces made with it are often hexagonal.

I will be writing a little Torchon lace project up in the near future. It may take a while as I'll need some "action" photos!
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*All* tiles now up in the bathroom! A bit of grouting to go and it'll be a finished room Smile

http://haizes.blogspot.com/

Leonie2 · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:55 pm Post subject:

I'm looking forward to this Haize, I have no idea how lace is made so this is very intriguing (sp?) Very Happy

Cabbagepatch · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:58 pm Post subject:

No, no no I can't take any more projects on...... reaches for the Rescue Remedy Shocked

Actually, I've always wanted to try lacemaking.....

alison · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

I have a couple of lace making kits, that I have been given, just never had the time to really get into it. Too many other things to do at the moment.