The Embroiderers' Story Forum » Lace Makers

The "Real Thing"

(7 posts)

  1. etherege
    Member

    Dear Lacemakers (I **think** mostly lacemakers read this) --

    Today the "real" lace began to take shape!!! It was an exciting moment when the first spangle was eased into place, I can tell you.

    Now we are up to a whole two repeats done. Jill requests another six at least tomorrow -- so Robbin will have her hands full.

    Occasionally it has seemed as if we wouldn't ever arrive at this moment, but we are, and the result is worth every single bit of effort! Can't wait to see you all in Plimoth.

    Best,
    Carolyn

    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. triciaWilsonnguyen
    Member

    Carolyn -

    I got very excited email from both Jill and Wendy today after you finished your repeats!!! I so wanted to be there today to see the start of the lace. I will have to wait for Wendy's pictures.

    Tricia

    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Robbina
    Administrator

    Carolyn,

    If you think I'm making 6 repeats tomorrow when you did two you've got another think coming or Jill better be making dinner, too! You're up to speed and I won't have you sitting around -- you can lace some of the time too. :)

    Anyway, I will have my camera and probably my laptop, so I'll make sure Jill has a CD of pictures before I go and she can post them soon.

    I'm looking forward to taking my turn tomorrow and working on the real pattern with the real spangles!

    Robbin

    Posted 1 year ago #

  4. coral-seas
    Member

    Well, we are not all lace makers and I'm sure that I'm not the only non-lacer to be excited that this phase of the jacket is under way and that the first repeats are done. I can't wait to see the pics on the blog.

    So, two repeats down, how many to go?

    CA

    Posted 1 year ago #

  5. etherege
    Member

    We had such a lovely time today! Robbin had her day of becoming familiar with the pattern, and another two repeats done. It sounds awfully slow, and it is, but once a repeat is done, things should speed up.

    Today we had a full complement of fun distractions: children, heirloom sewing, fashion show ;-), as well as conversation. Wendy brought in a wonderful smocked dress she had made (just for fun -- she has two boys!) and Jill's baby wanted to try it on. She could have been a model for SewBeautiful or Creative Needle.

    Jill's older girl learned to make Bucks net while Robbin was working on the metal lace. She is a very quick study. You lacemakers may find an eager student in your midst when you come to visit.

    All in all, I think a great time was had by all. Robbin will be expert du jour on April 11, as I'll be away. I can't wait for the next time I can go. I hope the threads come in, and Mark gets some more spangles made, so I'll have a legitimate excuse.

    CArolyn

    Carolyn

    Posted 1 year ago #

  6. etherege
    Member

    Oh, BTW, I'm sure my fellow lacemakers will validate this -- 18 threads is a tiny number. More usual is 50-100, with around 250 being not unusual. Depends on the type of lace and its width.

    C.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  7. Jill
    Administrator

    Well, 18 threads may not be much for a lace maker, but to the uninitiated it is positively dizzying!
    The motifs are just the tiniest bit smaller than one inch; we've been figuring 1" per motif. I measured and measured, and the working numbers are: 13" x 2 (wings) + 18" X 2 (cuffs) + 100" (hem + fronts + neck + collar).
    SO 4 motifs down, 158 to go.

    Posted 1 year ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.