Some of us have mentioned the UK Lace Guild's/Pat
Rowley's "Art Trade or Mystery - Lace and Lacemaking
in Northamptonshire" as having a point ground paisley
pattern in it, though as it's 8 inches wide, with a
4.5 inch repeat, possibly not something to be knocked
off quickly for the top of a blouse! For those not
familiar with it and interested in East Midlands lace,
it could be worth considering, as it's got a lot more
than that in it, and covers some things which do seem
to strike a chord with Arachnes. I know the Lace
Guild does take plastic payment, but of course postage
etc could make it uneconomic; without that, it is I
think good value.
In addition to the paisley pattern, where there's an
example of the lace, the pricking, and a postcard of
the lady making it in about 1900, there's a tie-end
pattern and picture of the result, about 6 inches
wide, both suitable challenges for anyone looking for
something to do after Miss Channer's mat! There are
also several pages of samples both of Bucks and Beds
narrow units, with a few prickings and diagrams for
the Bucks ones, showing some interesting techniques.
The Beds samples are particularly interesting, as
being far better worked and more attractive than some
of the Luton ones. The dealer, Stanton, obviously
liked Beds in its own right, as shown by the picture
of his garden gate!
For those outside the UK, Northampton may be
considered the third East Midlands county with a
strong lace tradition with Bucks and Beds, and of
course, to a varying degree, "Bucks" and "Beds" was
made in all three in the days when lacemakers made
what the wearers demanded, and there was none of this
modern "tradition" saying that Bucks was just made in
Buckinghamshire!
The other sections of the book which may be of special
interest is the information on the various Victorian
ladies (and indeed some active in the last century)
who kept lacemaking going through the Associations
that marketed the lace made in the villages and by
teaching the new generations. There are several
newspaper articles and pictures of them and the
makers, as well as biographical details. They were
certainly women of strong character, and some of them
seem to have lived nearly as interesting lives as Miss
Channer. There is a picture of her lacemaking class
in India, and a letter she sent from India ends up
"...I still make lace, and find it an excellent
occupation for jungle life." ! I still find it
difficult to visualise Tarzan wearing a creation of
Jane's...
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