Bedfordshire lace became popular in the fashions of the second half of the nineteenth century because of the beauty of its bold-open designs, often with elegant floral motifs, and it continues to fascinate and captivate lacemakers today. This practical book is dedicated to the novice and experienced lacemaker wishing to learn these techniques so as to realise this elegance for themselves. Information is given about the equipment needed for bobbin lacemaking, how to make a pricking (the pattern on which the lace is made), and how to wind thread on the bobbins. Instruction explains how to work cloth stitch and half stitch, plaits, windmill crossings, picots and leaf-shaped tallies, and how to finish a piece of lace. There is a series of twenty-six patterns, some traditional and others designed more recently. These are supported by instructions, photographs and diagrams. The patterns include small motifs, edgings - some with corners for handkerchiefs - butterflies and, finally, three exquisite collars. AUTHOR: Jean Leader discovered bobbin lacemaking some forty years ago. At first it was just an addition to the textile crafts that she already enjoyed, but she soon found herself spending more time on lacemaking than anything else. Lace and lacemaking continue to be a great source of satisfaction and enjoyment for her. She is the author of several instructional books and DVDs on different styles of lace, and has even produced an iPhone app on lace identification. In addition to teaching classes in Glasgow, where she lives, she has taught workshops in Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia. She received the Marsh Heritage Crafts Volunteer Award for 2015. Of all the many styles of bobbin lace, Bedfordshire has always been her particular favourite, and in this book she has brought many years of experience to introducing the techniques of Bedfordshire lace in a series of patterns, some traditional, and others designed recently.
167 colour photographs and diagrams
