[lace] Hot and Bothered

[Helen Ward]

Can remember  when I was growing up in the Mallee (NW Victoria), it
used to get to 114 F for a week on end, then go down to 99F overnight.
At least it was a dry heat which made it easier to sleep.  The
humidity and I don't go well together.

Xmas Day 2002 in Melbourne was 45C - here in Qld it was 28.

Helen.

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[lace] Kniplebrevet

[Sue Fink]

Many thanks to the many who replied to my request for the e-mail for 
kniplebrevet.  This has been very helpful, thanks once again Arachnids of 
the world!


Sue Fink
Masterton, New Zealand 


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[lace] RE:Hot and bothered

[Helen Bell]

I know just how you feel Jean, and in Colorado we have a dry climate,
with humidity in the summer dipping as low as 5% some days.  I still
feel hot and bothered! :-)  I can tell when the humidity is up, though.
We had a weekend earlier this month where it rained from Friday night to
Sunday evening (heaven!) and the wood work got to a point where it felt
damp, so I uncovered my pillows for a few hours to let mother nature do
some hydrating.  It's been too hot to sit and make lace since then,
though, so I've just lazed in the evenings and had the occasional vodka
daiquiri with mint and lemon :-)  

One of the more popular items here this summer have been the little
personal misters - they're a hand pump/plunger and the container is
filled with cold water and some ice and when you've built up some
pressure, you turn on the nozzle and mist away.  It's been a boon on hot
days at my son's baseball, and daughter's softball.  There've been some
kids who've really needed the cool mist.

Cheers,
Helen, Aussie in Denver

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Re: [lace] Hot and bothered

[David in Ballarat]

Oh Poor Jeannie :)

Roll on winter! At least I'll be able to keep warm - I can't keep cool in
this heat, currently 32 degrees C with high humidity and no breeze.

Come down  here and make lace with us in January when it could well be 42C!!
Ilove it

David in Ballarat

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[lace] Needlelace.

[Elizabeth Ligeti]

I've had a book on the 'technical history of needlelace' in progress for
years.  Maybe I'll finish it now.
Laurie

 Oh! I Wish you would get it finished and published, Laurie.

I now do the Pt. de Gaze ground needle away, and after a while I found I got
used to working that way, and it just seemed natural.  However, for all other
needlelace I work needle towards me.   I seem to get a lot of "oil" from my
thumb when holding the lace as I make it, and although I have made myself a
cotton thumb-stall, I still seem to get it soiled, however much I wash my
hands.

Working Needles towards me does not need so much "thumb on work" as needle
away.

I am self-taught, with just the benefit of a couple of workshops, and advice
from some friendly Experts, who have been very kind towards my efforts.
Without their help, I could not have progressed as far as I have.

Regards from Liz in Melbourne, Oz, where it is a beaut, sunny winter's day -
for a change!
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [lace] cover a block

[Alice Howell]

Hi Lorri,

Don't sew -- pin.  Get a bunch of sewing pins, shorter
is better.  Cut a rectangle of fabric, wide enough to
go across the block and 2/3 down each side.  Cut it
long enough to wrap around the block with 1/2" extra.

Get some felt and cut squares the same size as your
blocks.  Pin to the top and bottom of each block with
a pin near each corner.

Start in the middle of one side, center the fabric and
pin each side near the edge of the block.  Wrap
snuggly around the block, fold under 1/4 inch and pin
the overlapping fold with several pins. I use 5-6 pins
with a 5 inch block.

Continue, making sure the fabric is pulled snug at
each step.

On one side, fold down the narrow ends and pin each
end near each edge.  This will make the fabric on the
long sides have a slanted fold.  Fold down one long
side and pin each end.  Fold the other side down, tuck
under 1/4 inch and pin with 3-4 pins.  Add another pin
on each end where the slanted folds meet.  If any fold
pokes up, add a pin.  Do the same with the other side.

There...with 5 minutes work you have a block that will
last as long as the foam in it holds up.  (And you
didn't do a bit of sewing.)  If you do spill
coffee/wine/chocolate on it, you can unpin the fabric
and wash or replace it easily.  Otherwise, it will
stay together.

I just used the pin method to cover all the blocks and
roller of a One and Only pillow.  I even used pins for
most of the main pillow cover.  Since I have a ton of
small brass pins that I don't like to use, I used them

on this pillow.  True...I bent a few, but I wasn't
worried about it.

By the way, I will disagree with my friend LeAnn on
the size of her block pillow.  LeAnn, if your blocks
fit the One and Only, they are 5" blocks, and your
pillow is only 15" wide.  That *is* a bit small for
comfortable working, but packs well in a suitcase.  I
would suggest 6" pillows for a block pillow.  If it's
for a larger project, make it a 12 block pillow
instead of the standard nine block.  Either larger
blocks or more blocks would give more working surface.

Someone on this list, recently, held pillow blocks
together with a sturdy elastic band.

The precut blocks are quite inexpensive.  A non-sewing
block pillow is a possible project on a low budget. 
Cardboard and tape can make a base.  Go for it -- you
can do it.

My wish to visit England again is a more expensive
propsition.  But I can always dream...

Alice in Oregon


--- Lorri Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>   3)I guess if I had to pick one thing,  I would say
> a block   pillow.  I have seen some in catalogs, but
they are expensive.  I have
>   seen some at a Lace Day, not so expensive, but the
> blocks weren't  covered, and that was a problem.  I
am useless at sewing and could not
>   even figure out how I would go about covering
> blocks.  

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[lace] Bolster pillow (very long)

[Diane Williams]

Back in September 2003 I posted the following to
Arachne.  Since April I've been using the bolster for
a length of Ipswich lace that has now reached 60". 
You can see photos on my yahoo
http://photos.yahoo.com/drswilliams

I hope you enjoy!

Dear Spiders,

I had a very lacy weekend :)

Friday:  Talked with DH about him making me an x-stand
for a bolster pillow, similar to the ones in Pompi
Parry & ?'s book about Downton lace.  He will do it
this weekend when we visit our friends.  (Friend's DH
has a huge woodshop in his garage.)

Saturday:  Completed the cover for the bolster pillow
I made last week.  I had finally found the wool army
blanket and layered it around a very sturdy cardboard
tube.  (If anyone wants more details, just email me.) 
I sewed the cover seam a couple of times to make sure
it fit very snugly.  Put drawstrings in the end and
slid it on the bolster.  Ooops, when I pull the
drawstrings they don't quite cover the hole in the
end.  Since I'm going to be using it at a historic
fort, I don't want people to see my cardboard core, so
I cut circles of fabric and slid them inside the ends.
 This works, I think.  I now spend about half an hour
finishing the pricking that is going on this pillow. 
Then I go to my block pillow, finish the sewings on my
hanky edging so I can cut off the bobbins and use them
on this new pillow.  Took a few minutes (too few) to
admire the hanky edging.  Wind six more pairs for the
30 I need to work "Wedding Bells" from 100 Traditional
Patterns on my new bolster.  Start hanging on the
bobbins.  Start cursing the bobbins.  Tears appear in
my eyes, this d*** bolster is hard to work on.  I plug
on through because 5-year old DS is in the room and
thinks the new pillow is really pretty.  Husband calls
from work, "How's it going?"  "Don't ask."  It took
all afternoon to work one repeat of the pattern.  LOTS
of tension in the neck and shoulders.  Told DH he
won't have to make me an x-stand because I'm NEVER
going to work on this pillow again.

Sunday:  Pack up the new pillow and some tatting for
the 3-hour drive to friend's house in Iowa.  I'm going
to give this thing another try.  After some catching
up, my friend gets out her tatting so I can show her
how to chain.  She gets busy and I get out the Pillow.
 I have it sitting in a basket; it works but it feels
a little shaky.  Friend thinks that it looks super
hard (sympathy is good).  I start working and am
getting used to the feel of holding the bobbins in my
hand as I work the stitch.  Have to admit that it
looks pretty with all those bunches of bobbins hanging
off the edge.  Having trouble with the cloth stitch
trails and need to keep referring to the working
diagram, so I don't get much done.

Monday:  The sun is shining and my friend has a great
front porch so we take our pillows outside.  She is
just starting bobbin lace, so I do a lot of jumping up
to help her, and she eventually works six repeats of
her pattern without my help.  My shoulders are looser
and I find that I like the height of the bolster since
I don't crouch over it like a cookie or roller pillow.
 I got two repeats of the pattern done and am fighting
the bobbins less and less.  The movements feel more
natural in my hands and I'm getting concentrating more
on the pattern than on holding and manipulating the
bobbins.  My DH is asleep in the recliner, so friend's
DH goes out to his wood shop and makes me a cradle for
the bolster from the pattern that is on Lori's
lacefairy site.  Now the bolster feels really secure
and I feel less hesitant about touching it.  Got home
about 7:30 and made lace for 2 hours before bed so I
could keep the good feeling going.

Tuesday:  Sat at the Pillow for half an hour before
work and think that I almost like it.  I want to get
more lace done before I demonstrate this Saturday and
Sunday, but the tears are gone and I don't think
they'll be back.  One nice thing, the tension is easy
on my passives and the cloth stitch areas.  I've found
that I like a fairly long leash so that when I put the
bobbins up and over the back sides of the pillow, they
don't fall back to the front.  I don't use the divider
pins as much as I did in the beginning, and I'm
starting to work faster.

So, a lace weekend in which I learned a lot and made a
lot of progress.  Never give up, never surrender!


Diane Williams
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Galena Illinois USA

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[lace] Wish list

[Diane Williams]

I've loved reading about everyone's wish lists.  Jeri,
if I ever win the lottery you'll get the endowment as
long as I get to volunteer sometimes!

1.  I would love a Christina roller pillow.  Fell in
love the first time I saw it.  Or, I would like one of
the Lacemaker's gossip pillows.  I could lace with
friends, but more likely I'd have four different
projects going at once and just move my body around to
the one that suits me at the time.  Of course I would
need a corresponding increase in the quantity of
bobbins for all those projects.

2.  Time - it goes without saying - to work on lace
for several hours each day.

3.  A time machine - for a different purpose.  I would
like to travel back to 1790 and visit those Ipswich
(US)lacemakers to see how they fit their lacemaking
into their daily lives and routines.  Same with the
English cottage lacemakers.



Diane Williams
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Galena Illinois USA

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RE: [lace] Hot and bothered

[Ruth Budge]

Jean, I'm sorry, but I'm laughing!   When I come home to England, I find
myself faced with an array of people who are all anxious to tell me how
lucky I am to live in such a wonderful climate!   And I try to explain how
hot, and sticky, and debilitating it can be, especially when it goes on for
day after day, after day!   But I'm never successful in conveying what its
like!

So I'll stop giggling long enough to assure you - the weather *will* change,
you *will* cool down and get the urge to do things again, and one day soon
our roles will be reversed...you'll be commenting on how cold your toes are,
how icy the wind is, and I'll be sitting here saying:   "It's 40 degrees,
I'm so hot, and I haven't the energy to do anything...roll on winter" 

Ruth Budge (Sydney, Australia)

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
Jean Nathan
Sent: 28 July 2006 03:11
To: Lace
Subject: [lace] Hot and bothered


How I agree with you. My lace pillow is sitting on it's stand  few feet away

from me, covered with a cloth. I'm drinking iced non-alcoholic drinks, the 
windows are open, the curtains closed and a tower fan going full blast, and 
still I'm too hot. I keep thinking my hands have stopped perspiring so I can

get on with some lace, but as soon as I move to bring the pillow over, I'm 
hot all over again, so sit down. Still, I've got a pile of lace books beside

my chair, and I'm actually finding out what's inside some of them.

I'm in vampire mode - only going out after dark when the sun's gone down.

Roll on winter! At least I'll be able to keep warm - I can't keep cool in 
this heat, currently 32 degrees C with high humidity and no breeze.

Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK

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[lace] four seasons

[Barron]

after discussion of the four seasons lace patterns I've decided 
I'd like to start them  - the bucks point ones by Geraldine Stott - but now I 
can't find them - I thought they were in a loose pattern but now I have a 
vaugue feeeling they are in the Lace magazine but I've no idea which one - does 
anyone know? 
jenny barron 
much cooler in Scotland, I'll be able to sleep tonight

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Re: [lace] Questions about Making a Bolster Pillow

[CLIVE Rice]

Lenore,

Start your bolster with a core the length you want.  A perfect base is a 
tube from your local carpet shop.  They'll give you a roll and the tube is 
made of heavy paper fibre that can be cut with a saw - FH Clive cut mine 
with his Shopsmith circular saw.


I padded it with upholstery cotton (emphasize cotton) *to the size I 
wanted.*  The upholstery cotton is very resilient and can be purchased from 
an upholstery shop or someone who does upholstery.


I then cut bandage strips of cotton ticking and wound the upholstery cotton 
to make it very firm.  My strips were about 3 inches wide, and you only need 
one or two layers of ticking; be sure to wind it tight..


Then, if you don't felt your own wool, visit your local charity shop and 
purchase a wool coat, blanket, or something wool to make the last layers on 
the bolster.  The more layers of wool and the tighter it is wound, the 
better it will hold your pins.   I cut the wool also in bandage strips and 
bound just as I did the ticking.


Cover the whole thing with cotton muslin.

Make a tube cover with drawstrings on either end.  If the tube cover is long 
enough to draw to a tight closing on each end of the bolster, you can use 
the hollow carpet roll tube for storage.


You'll find that the garden straw you have in your driveway is probably too 
coarse for your pins to go into.  I have a 200 + year old bolster that is 
extremely heavy and the straw is so tight that it is almost impossible to 
stick pins in.  I use it on its horse for display only.


I think I have given all the directions I worked out for my bolster. It 
works for me. If you, or anyone, has any questions, maybe I can answer them.


Happy lacemaking,
Betty Ann in Roanoke, Virginia USA who is not missing Montreal 'cause I'm 
involved in the bluegrass festival that I've missed some years 'cause of 
IOLI!  Anyway, Ithaca, here I come!!


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Re: [lace] Questions about Making a Bolster Pillow

[bevw]

Hi Lenore and everyone

For your bolster pillow, decide where you like to have your hands as
you work - if you have to hold them too high, then a large diameter
bolster wouldn't be suitable. I would experiment first with a rolled
up blanket to find the right diameter. Then you can sew a cotton
casing  of that dimension and stuff it with whatever.

The sawdust would be heavy, but it packs well. If your bolster is
long-ish, and sawdust-filled, I recommend a cradle for it, or it will
flop, like a sausage.
The straw is ok, but requires forcible packing to get a dense enough
pillow. It helps to cut it into one-inch bits first (by 'cutting' I
mean putting it through a machine, such as running a mulching
lawnmower over some, or feeding it into a garden mulcher. I have done
both). And, even though you pack and pack to get the pillow stuffed,
there is hardly any used up of a bale, so there will be plenty left
for the garden!

If you can find someone who has a sheep's fleece available cheaply,
remove from it the really grotty stuff, and wash the rest within an
old pillowcase, in a washing machine. It will be lumpy, but you should
be able to tease the lumps apart and let it all air dry. You could
then put the whole thing in the dryer (within the pillow case) unless
your fleeces shrinks a lot. Shrinking varies with the type/breed
(another subject altogether). Washed fleece will also pack well and a
whole fleece will be more than enough. If you were so inclined, you
could card it before washing - but carding an unwashed fleece is an
icky job.

You can also make the bolster of firmly (very firmly) rolled wool
blanketing. Put a fabric casing around it that you can cinch shut at
the ends (with a ribbon or cord through a hemmed casing). You want the
stuffing to be able to support your pins.

If your stuffing is too light, you will need to put a weight inside
for stability. For  my wool (cleaned fleece) filled bolsters, I put in
a smooth garden rock! Occasionally a long pin will graze its surface
(eek, not a nice sensation). Others have used small  juice cans filled
with something heavy, for the weight.

One of the quirky joys of lacemaking is the  making of a new lace pillow :)))
and I have a heap of  unspun fleece leftover from my spinning days awaiting...

Keep us informed of your bolster-making ;)

On 7/27/06, Lenore English <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I'm thinking of making a bolster pillow and have lots of questions.
I'd welcome some input as to pros and cons of working with a bolster
pillow before I commit to this project.  What size bolster is good for
your lap, rather than a stand or table?


--
Bev in Sooke BC (where the fog is firmly settled into the strait, off
Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada)
blogging lace at www.looonglace.blogspot.com

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Re: [lace] Hot and bothered

[bevw]

sluggish.I am just sitting here with a fan in my face and do not
intend to move> unless I have to.>

... I'm drinking iced non-alcoholic drinks, the
windows are open, the curtains closed and a tower fan going full blast, and
still I'm too hot. I keep thinking my hands have stopped perspiring so I can
get on with some lace,


I was at this point the other day, had a glass of water to sip, and
poured most of it on my head. I was impressed it worked wonders for
feeling better ;)
During the heat wave here, we kept water bottles with us, and where
possible had cool showers every so often.
That was when I was able to lace outdoors. The light was excellent.
Now that we have a wind, it is better to do lace indoors.
I'll send some cooling cean breezes your way ;)

--
Bev in Sooke BC (where the fog has lifted on Vancouver Island, west
coast of Canada)
blogging lace at www.looonglace.blogspot.com

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[lace] covering block pillows ;)

[LeAnn Smith]

I have a 9-block pillow that I made to take to the Arachne '98
get-together.  I wanted something cheap in case I found something better
while I was in England; I could either ditch it completely or ship the
blocks home in a box.  It also had to be lightweight and break down easily
to fit in a smaller suitcase, and be flexible enough to handle whatever
project the teacher handed out.

I skipped the whole "wood base" thing and made my base from cardboard: two
lids from copy paper boxes, glued together and then I glued cotton fabric
around the edges to pretty it up a bit.  I could put the cardboard base in
my suitcase, pack clothes under and around it, and fit the individual
blocks in, wherever.  I did sew the covers on the blocks, but you don't
have to - pins, fabric glue or iron-on interfacing work nicely.  I didn't
think about it when I covered my blocks and put the main seam on the
bottom, but if you put the main seam along a corner or on a side, you can
make the blocks reversible and they'll last twice as long.

The pillow still goes to classes and conferences and the box lid base is
holding up pretty well.  I used 6-inch blocks - I'd go a little bigger,
next time; 18" is a bit small for some projects - but they fit my "one and
only" pillow from Snowgoose, so I can put them in the bigger pillow when I
need it.


As for what I want most - keeping it on a personal level - I'd agree that
time is my biggest wish.  I'd like a lot more time to work on my lace and
develop my skills.  Sometimes a project sits for too long and I have to
"relearn" that piece.  Some evenings, it just doesn't pay to get the
pillow out and set up (no room for a permanent workspace) for the hour or
so I have left in the day to work on it. (Those evenings, I end up
knitting, spinning, or making needlelace; or just sitting, when my brain
won't function anymore.)  I'd like to be more active in IOLI and our local
club, but that will have to wait until I retire from the "8 - 5" life.

Helen, your dream of a week alone with your lace pillows and a beautiful
view is perfect.  I've always imagined a cabin at the beach with a view of
the surf, but that's not surprising, given our respective locations.  

I have two projects left from classes I took last summer, and I've
resolved to finish them before another class comes along or starting
anything new out of my stash.  Tonight, I'm going to reacquaint myself
with the Bucks piece from Denver and then I'll work on it at the county
fair on Saturday, another fair next Saturday, and each demo I attend until
it's done.  The other one is fussier - I'll work on that one at home.

Back to the spreadsheets,

LeAnn in Aloha, Oregon - in between the Pacific and Mt. Hood.

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[lace] Hot and bothered

[Jean Nathan]

Agnes wrote:

as I think I am allergic to muggy heat and become very 
sluggish.I am just sitting here with a fan in my face and do not 
intend to move

unless I have to.>

How I agree with you. My lace pillow is sitting on it's stand  few feet away 
from me, covered with a cloth. I'm drinking iced non-alcoholic drinks, the 
windows are open, the curtains closed and a tower fan going full blast, and 
still I'm too hot. I keep thinking my hands have stopped perspiring so I can 
get on with some lace, but as soon as I move to bring the pillow over, I'm 
hot all over again, so sit down. Still, I've got a pile of lace books beside 
my chair, and I'm actually finding out what's inside some of them.


I'm in vampire mode - only going out after dark when the sun's gone down.

Roll on winter! At least I'll be able to keep warm - I can't keep cool in 
this heat, currently 32 degrees C with high humidity and no breeze.


Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK

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Re: [lace] Questions about Making a Bolster Pillow

[Shere'e]

I have mine filled with raw  wool. I love
it!! It takes a lot of wool but it is lightweight and my pins stay
nice and shiny from the lanolin in the wool.

Another nice side effect is that due to the lanolin seeping into the
cover fabric for all these years my pillow is water resistant. I
usually have a glass of water with me at all times and have spilled it
on my pillow from time to time and it just rolls right off.

The down side is that you want to use a darker fabric preferably with
an irregular pattern to it as the lanolin doesn't seep evenly in the
begining and you may have light splotches on lighter colored fabrics.
I use a dark burgandy upholserty velvet with an irregular dash of
dark blue and dark yellow threads and you don't really even see the
marks after the 2nd year.

As for what size, I don't use mine on my lap so that part I can't help
you with. I love my bolster as I do a lot of yardage and that is also
what I was first taught on.

Miranda


On 7/27/06, Lenore English <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

I'm thinking of making a bolster pillow and have lots of questions.
I'd welcome some input as to pros and cons of working with a bolster
pillow before I commit to this project.  What size bolster is good for
your lap, rather than a stand or table?

I like my Puerto Rican Travel pillow, but it is a bit small.  With
typical newbie enthusiasm, I started a lace edging that has far too
many pairs for the size of the bolster.  The bobbins get so twisted I
spend more time fiddling than lacing.  I like having the pillow on my
lap, though. It's easier for me to work that way.

I checked on lacefairy.com, and she suggests filling the bolster with
sawdust.  My husband has a full bucket of sawdust downstairs, and I
could sift it and have a huge pillow.  Wouldn't a pillow of sawdust be
rather heavy?

But what started me thinking about making a lace pillow is the 4 bales
of straw sitting in my driveway.  My husband got the straw from a
co-worker and he intends to mulch the garden with it.  I haven't
looked at it, and I don't know what kind of straw it is or how to
decide if it can be used in a pillow.

Thanks for all your help!

Lenore in SW Michigan

http://tatt3r-lace.blogspot.com

(back to lurking)

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[lace] Questions about Making a Bolster Pillow

[Lenore English]

I'm thinking of making a bolster pillow and have lots of questions.
I'd welcome some input as to pros and cons of working with a bolster
pillow before I commit to this project.  What size bolster is good for
your lap, rather than a stand or table?

I like my Puerto Rican Travel pillow, but it is a bit small.  With
typical newbie enthusiasm, I started a lace edging that has far too
many pairs for the size of the bolster.  The bobbins get so twisted I
spend more time fiddling than lacing.  I like having the pillow on my
lap, though. It's easier for me to work that way.

I checked on lacefairy.com, and she suggests filling the bolster with
sawdust.  My husband has a full bucket of sawdust downstairs, and I
could sift it and have a huge pillow.  Wouldn't a pillow of sawdust be
rather heavy?

But what started me thinking about making a lace pillow is the 4 bales
of straw sitting in my driveway.  My husband got the straw from a
co-worker and he intends to mulch the garden with it.  I haven't
looked at it, and I don't know what kind of straw it is or how to
decide if it can be used in a pillow.

Thanks for all your help!

Lenore in SW Michigan

http://tatt3r-lace.blogspot.com

(back to lurking)

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Re: [lace] I've always wanted a . . .

[Clay Blackwell]

What a wonderful wish!  I hope this one comes true!

Clay

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dear Dreamers,

I've always wanted a very professionally-run Lace and Embroidery Museum 
located somewhere on the East Coast.  The mid-Atlantic States, being easy for many 
to reach, is my idea of an appropriate place.  It would be near similar type 
facilities (like the collections at Winterthur), and an international airport.  
It would be a fully-paid-for independent museum with ample funding (a very 
large endowment) to cover all the operating expenses and professionals needed to 
present our art in the most favorable way and provide research facilities for 
individuals, teachers, authors, etc.  

People ask me where to donate very beautiful lace and embroidered family 
heirlooms that should be part of our collective study of all the lacemakers and 
embroiderers who came before us - *from all nations*.  I have no answer.  I keep 
seeing lovely lace and embroidered items being deaccessioned (sold at 
auction) by museums that do not want to keep them, but apparently accept them as 
useful for fund raising to pay for other types of collections.  


My wish is for something cultural that will be of value to all on Arachne.

Jeri Ames in Maine USA
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center

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[lace] A hot and bothered lurker

[Agnes Boddington]

Hello all,
I cannot be bothered to do anything at the moment, let alone do any lace 
making! I am really hoping that climate change will make it colder here, 
as I think I am allergic to muggy heat and become very sluggish.
I am supposed to be working at the moment, doing proofreading for a 
Dutch girl in Australia, but I'll wait till the cooler hours of the night.
I am working on two lace pieces at the moment, one a torchon one for my 
daughter and the other a piece of Bedfordshire, trying to remember what 
I learned on the course with Christine Springett last month. Especially 
where the "magic threads" are supposed to go!
I am just sitting here with a fan in my face and do not intend to move 
unless I have to.

Maybe I'll be more contructive next time.

Agnes Boddington - UK
Bobbin maker - will ship worldwide

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[lace] Only the lonely

[Rosemary Naish]

Jill,
It doesn't matter what order you do them - just do it.  I made a 
resolution not to start anything new this year until I'd finished ALL 
my other things - I had several, lace & non lace, that were almost 
done, just the last 5%.  So far I've managed to stick to it (apart from 
going on a quilting course lace weekend - but I won't say anymore about 
that).  Anyhow its so nice to see space in my cupboard, so despite 
feeling a bit guilty taking cross-stitch to a lace day, it been well 
worth doing.


Rosemary

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[lace] covering block pillows ;)

[bevw]

Hi everyone and 'specially for Lise-Aurore,

Lorri wrote:

I once saw a block pillow that had all the block-cover-material secured with
'iron-on' tape.  Each block had the covering neatly in place (probably pinned
in place)


Yes, pinning works ;)
I covered the blocks of my first block pillow (sure I have more than
one now!) by cutting squares of fabric with overhang for the top and
bottom of each block, and a band to go around, also with overhang,
i.e. seam allowance.  I got the blocks covered by folding and pinning
the fabric. It was a gradual process, but it worked quite well. Just
think of the fabric as limp paper (but if you don't do paper folding
either this won't help LOL). The tops were all plain blue fabric, and
the sides and bottom were a print fabric.
Eventually, when I had time to spare, I hand-sewed the fabric in place
with a running stitch, but I think the pins alone would have been
fine.
If you can locate a thick, smooth, nonwoven fabric that when cut has a
smooth edge, then this could be used, trimmed to fit and pinned in
place instead of the woven material.
Or, don't cover the blocks at all. Use lots of work cloths instead,
and keep moving them as required.
I figure if there's a will there's a way ;)

lace on everyone ;)
bev

Bev in Sooke BC (west coast of Canada) where I can hear a foghorn in the strait
Day Three of INIM project www.looonglace.blogspot.com

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Re: [lace] I've always wanted a . . .

[Jeriames]

Dear Dreamers,

I've always wanted a very professionally-run Lace and Embroidery Museum 
located somewhere on the East Coast.  The mid-Atlantic States, being easy for 
many 
to reach, is my idea of an appropriate place.  It would be near similar type 
facilities (like the collections at Winterthur), and an international airport.  
It would be a fully-paid-for independent museum with ample funding (a very 
large endowment) to cover all the operating expenses and professionals needed 
to 
present our art in the most favorable way and provide research facilities for 
individuals, teachers, authors, etc.  

People ask me where to donate very beautiful lace and embroidered family 
heirlooms that should be part of our collective study of all the lacemakers and 
embroiderers who came before us - *from all nations*.  I have no answer.  I 
keep 
seeing lovely lace and embroidered items being deaccessioned (sold at 
auction) by museums that do not want to keep them, but apparently accept them 
as 
useful for fund raising to pay for other types of collections.  

My wish is for something cultural that will be of value to all on Arachne.

Jeri Ames in Maine USA
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center

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Re: [lace] Only the Lonely & Needlelace theory

[Barb ETx]

Yes...this is true...that, and the fact that there will always be a lace or
pattern that will bring you to your knees!
Lacy Smiles
BarbE
  - Original Message -
  From: Jill Harward
  To: lace@arachne.com
  Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 9:27 AM
  Subject: FW: [lace] Only the Lonely & Needlelace theory


  Oh Liz, a girl after my own heart!  Yes, no matter how many pieces of lace
  we may have on the go, we always seem to find a new piece we would like to
  try - perhaps in a new book we have brought or often inspired by what we
see
  others tackling.

  It is the enthusiasm and the endless options of what we can do that are so
  stimulating with lace.

  In fact, I saw a piece of lace being made at a course I was on last week
and
  would love to do.

  Yes, you and Patty are right, and there is a piece of Milanese lace that is
  three-quarters done and that would free up the pillow and enough bobbins
  that I would need for the new piece..

  ..hmm, must go and find the pricking card and the pattern...!!



  Moving onto the subject of the Needlelace, I am just in awe of how the 'old
  lace' was made, especially those pieces with thread that is barely visible
  to the eye.  Considering the speed with which much of the lace had to be
  made, in terms of lacemaking being a trade back then, the quality is
  incredible.  We are so lucky to be able to spend time perfecting (I say
that
  loosely in my case!)our lace and we now have so many, many different
threads
  etc to be able to try different techniques.


  Best wishes
  Jill

  From Redhill, Surrey in the UK



  -Original Message-
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
  Elizabeth Ligeti
  Sent: 27 July 2006 04:02
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Subject: [lace] Only the Lonely & Needlelace theory

  Jill, I think I would start with the piece that is closest to being
  finished - so I could free up a pillow, and work through them that way.
  Then I would have pillows for starting other projects - there is Always
  something Urgent coming along, that just Has to be started immediately
  :))

  Alice, I really don't know if modern needlelace is better than the old
  lace - but I think the Overall Effect is really what it is all about.
  The Old lace was SO fine, that I really don't know how they made it!!
  Errors, and inconsistancies show up more in the modern, coarser lace - I
can

  tell you that!!! :)

  Regards from Liz in Melbourne, Oz, where my mini daffodils have just come
  out into bloom - the little darlings!!! :)
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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  --
  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.4/401 - Release Date: 7/26/2006

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Re: [lace] Only the Lonely

[sandra houser]

We're not all in Montreal

We're all over the world with our threads

Lurkers, come out, have a ball

And then safely return to your beds


I have been a bobbin lacer for about 8 years and a tatter for 20, but have 
just recently joined the list. (Just got a home computer a couple of years 
ago. DH just didn't want to rush into this computer fad. "It's just a fad")


I would have loved to have gone to Montreal but my DH goes on a fishing trip 
every year with his Dad (in Manitoba, Canada) and it happened to fall on the 
same week. So I went ahead and took this week off work to stay at home with 
my elderly dog and make lace for our State Fair. (Nebraska, same as Mary)


So far I have 3 BL & 2 tatting pieces ready. 4 or  5 more to go in three 
weeks. LOL. Plus more tatted pieces. I don't know why I procrastinate so 
much. I did start earlier this year, thanks to you all. Reading the posts 
from everyone has helped get, and keep me motivated. Keep up the good work.


Maybe if I can figure out how to post photos, I can get some of them up.

Happy lacing,
Sandy
Lincoln, Nebraska
Off to bring the dog in for his breakfast and start lacing.
Heat index to be near 105 today.

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FW: [lace] Only the Lonely & Needlelace theory

[Jill Harward]

Oh Liz, a girl after my own heart!  Yes, no matter how many pieces of lace
we may have on the go, we always seem to find a new piece we would like to
try - perhaps in a new book we have brought or often inspired by what we see
others tackling.

It is the enthusiasm and the endless options of what we can do that are so
stimulating with lace. 

In fact, I saw a piece of lace being made at a course I was on last week and
would love to do. 

Yes, you and Patty are right, and there is a piece of Milanese lace that is
three-quarters done and that would free up the pillow and enough bobbins
that I would need for the new piece..

..hmm, must go and find the pricking card and the pattern...!!



Moving onto the subject of the Needlelace, I am just in awe of how the 'old
lace' was made, especially those pieces with thread that is barely visible
to the eye.  Considering the speed with which much of the lace had to be
made, in terms of lacemaking being a trade back then, the quality is
incredible.  We are so lucky to be able to spend time perfecting (I say that
loosely in my case!)our lace and we now have so many, many different threads
etc to be able to try different techniques.


Best wishes 
Jill

>From Redhill, Surrey in the UK



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
Elizabeth Ligeti
Sent: 27 July 2006 04:02
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [lace] Only the Lonely & Needlelace theory

Jill, I think I would start with the piece that is closest to being 
finished - so I could free up a pillow, and work through them that way.
Then I would have pillows for starting other projects - there is Always 
something Urgent coming along, that just Has to be started immediately 
:))

Alice, I really don't know if modern needlelace is better than the old 
lace - but I think the Overall Effect is really what it is all about.
The Old lace was SO fine, that I really don't know how they made it!! 
Errors, and inconsistancies show up more in the modern, coarser lace - I can

tell you that!!! :)

Regards from Liz in Melbourne, Oz, where my mini daffodils have just come 
out into bloom - the little darlings!!! :)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 

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Re: [lace] I've always wanted a . . .

[Lorri Ferguson]

  3)I guess if I had to pick one thing,  I would say a block
  pillow.  I have seen some in catalogs, but they are expensive.  I have
  seen some at a Lace Day, not so expensive, but the blocks weren't
  covered, and that was a problem.  I am useless at sewing and could not
  even figure out how I would go about covering blocks.  So, I'm still
  waiting, for that day when a not too expensive block pillow, with
  covered blocks, makes an appearance.  And for those of you wondering why
  I don't make one myself:  useless with wood and sewing.

  Lise-Aurore
  [EMAIL PROTECTED]


  Lise-Aurore,

  I once saw a block pillow that had all the block-cover-material secured with
'iron-on' tape.  Each block had the covering neatly in place (probably pinned
in place) and a 'tape' of iron on fabric fused completely around each block.
It looked to me that this was a really good 'no sew' way of covering the
blocks.  I would really consider doing it if I needed to do another one.
  Ken Van Durn (The bobbin maker) has them at a reasonable price, the cut
blocks and a finished base.

  Lorri F

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RE: [lace] I've always wanted a . . .

[Lapalme, Lise-Aurore]

Hello,

And the question was:   Is there something lace-related that you have
wanted for years but could not get either because they're very hard to
come by, or you could not justify the expense?  

And the answer:  YES.  Plenty.  Let's see:  
1) I could use more time.   

2)I wish I could meet lots more lacemakers:  I've been on the
list for years (actually found it two weeks after it started, and been
mainly lurking since) and would love to meet all the people on it.
Right now, things are a bit sad, since many people are in Montreal, just
two hours away, and I'm not there.  Oh well, that's life, and I could
not justify taking time to go.

3)I guess if I had to pick one thing,  I would say a block
pillow.  I have seen some in catalogs, but they are expensive.  I have
seen some at a Lace Day, not so expensive, but the blocks weren't
covered, and that was a problem.  I am useless at sewing and could not
even figure out how I would go about covering blocks.  So, I'm still
waiting, for that day when a not too expensive block pillow, with
covered blocks, makes an appearance.  And for those of you wondering why
I don't make one myself:  useless with wood and sewing.  

4) The only other lace related thing that is on the definite to
do list, is a visit to Le Puy en Velay.  I've been to Bruges, and loved
it, and plan to go back one day.  I would just love to get to Le Puy dn
Velay.  I have my fingers crossed.

I know that I've been quiet for years, and I will probably go quiet
again come September, but I will try to keep up with the list for the
next few weeks and chime in if I can.

Lise-Aurore
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

In rainy Ottawa, where the temperature has been hot nad/or rainy for
weeks.  I'm not complaining.  As far as I'm concerned, if it's not
snowing, it's great weather.  

  

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[lace] RE: lace-digest V2006 #181

[Mary Robi]

finish them all this
year.  Also, don't be afraid to cut off a project and put the 'done' part in 
a sample box -- if you have a project that you just don't want to finish.  
The main thing is to enjoy your lace.  If it's not fun, get rid of it. (All 
personal opinion, of course. )>


Oh, Alice! Thanks so much for saying that. I'm always feeling badly, because 
I start a project, hate doing it, and just want to cut it off the pillow and 
use it as a sample - and actually have done just that.


Right now I have a Brugge Bloemwork mat on my pillow that I wanted to enter 
in the State Fair. Well, let me clarify this. The original mat that I was 
going to finish is on hold on it's pillow. Total exercise in frustration! I 
finally was so sick of looking at it and after 3 attempts to get the scroll 
right, I decided to just give up on it. My problem was not taking the time 
to get out the video and following the instructor. I can be s 
undisciplined and stubborn at times!! 8-)


So, the mat that's on the new sea grass pillow (which I love!) is just 
getting a start, and I'm using the video every step of the way. Will it be 
finished in time for the State Fair? Nooo, but I can now take 
myself off the hot seat, and just enjoy doing and learning again. The video 
is wonderful, I just wish the project was a bit smaller.


What do I want that I don't have? I "need" a few dozen Midlands bobbins. I 
originally started out with Continentals, but started collecting Midlands, 
and have used them enough now to really like them. I don't think I'll 
purchase any more pillows - unless I decide I want to try a bolster some 
day. I would like to own one of those antique roller pillows I keep seeing 
on Ebay.


The one thing that I truly want, though, is to go to the IOLI Convention! I 
kick myself for not going when it was in Denver (I live in NE, the next 
state to the east).My son and DGD live in Seattle, so my saved $$ gets used 
for a trip out there to see them. I'm also a weaver, and next year is a 
large seminar just a few miles from me (which NEVER happens), so I won't 
make it to Oklahoma for Convention, either. Ah, someday!


That all sounds so depressing!! 8-)). I love making lace, though. Even the 
failures are worthy of my time. I learn a LOT from my mistakes since I make 
so many of them!! Ha! Ha!


I'm looking forward to all the Convention reports and I'm hoping we'll get 
to see lots of pictures, even though I'm pea green with envy. ;-)


Mary R

My Blog:
http://360.yahoo.com/profile-zg98GyM_dKANhPNNuUA2

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary 
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin

_
Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! 
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Re: [lace] I've always wanted a . . .

[Jean Nathan]

Beth wrote:

Hornsby

egg-shaped wooden pricking tool (pin vice): I lost the original one several
years ago and I've not found anything as comfortable to use; there are
smaller ones available,, and someone stocks a plastic version, but I can't
find one like my old one anywhere...>

Have you looked at Hornsby's web site? They are still trading and have a 
pricker pictured which isn't exactly egg-shaped, but isn't like anything 
I've seen from other suppliers.


http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/djhornsby/Home.htm

Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK

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[lace] Translation request

[Scotlace]

I am making little 3 dimension hanging angels for a Christmas tree.  I have 
managed to work out the instructions except for the last part of one sentence.  
The complete sentence is:

1 traeperle ca 18mm, 1 gylden perlekappe 16mm og en mindre perle til at holde 
sammen pa (with a little o over the a) kjole og hoved.

My guess is that from "og en mindre" onwards it is talking about a smaller 
bead to fit in the hole of the wooden bead to keep the hanging loop stable.  
Can 
anyone tell me if I am correct or, if I am wrong, what it does mean?

Thank you.  Patricia in Wales
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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