Jane wrote: "How many times I have heard a lacemaker say "but I'm only a beginner.." as if the magazines were *only* for the experienced, and that membership of whatever guild or society is far beyond their reach. This is, and should be, far from the truth - though if the only patterns published are for experienced lacemakers, because of the attitude that beginners should be working through books it makes me wonder!"
As a beginner in Honiton, I can honestly say that The Lace Guild's Lace is invaluable. I may not be able to work many of the patterns included, but I can still learn from them. I have worked through Suzanne Thompson's Intro to Honiton Lace, and am currently working through her subsequent book, Further Steps in Honiton Lace. In between working the patterns from these, I have also taken time to work other patterns using the skills I have learnt, with minimal instructions rather than the step by step approach. I may not have worked any pattern yet with no instructions at all - but they are still of use, as I can look and try and work out a working order and the techniques needed to complete the pattern. With some, I may only be able to work out how to handle part of the design. For some patterns, I can look and see different ways of working the design too. Similarly, I find studying patterns in other books helpful and pictures of lace itself without the pricking. My aim is to become as independent of the instructions as possible, as having to look things up slows me down and restricts what I can work. With many things I am now at the stage where if I have to look it up, it is to double check my thoughts, and where I cannot remember all the details, I can make myself a working diagram or brief directions to avoid having to search through masses of text for the details I am finding hard to remember. Karen In Coventry, England, where the weather has changed to rain. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED]
