The Lacis Museum Newsletter

February 25th, 2010
Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week

A time for reflection, finding comfort within the home, looking through windows at the beauty cold has to offer. A time for fingers to plait the threads on the lace pillow or steer the needle to create the beautiful webs of thread. A time for lace makers to reap the rewards of their passion...a time to be a lace maker.
  

An Invitation

A short ninety years ago, the Twenties is a memory that our grand parents could well have shared through the 2-3 generations we are now caught in. In our attics and on our shelves and in stories heard, we might still have remnants from this era.
If you are willing, and have any association with these memories,  we would love you to share them with us and extend the dimensions of our Exhibit.   
I would welcome any submittals that could be included in our Newsletter and Exhibit. Until experience suggests otherwise, I offer no rules for any submission.
 
Events

The Twenties is not a chance choice for our forthcoming Exhibit. It is a reflection of a lost world that needs to be remembered as the-best-of-times. Much has been lost in the 90 years following, and hopefully by remembering we might find direction to what is possible.

Transformation into the world of the Twenties is proceeding behind the curtains as garments are restored and mannequins fitted to their new silhouettes. Beyond the garments there were the new accessories to accompany the spirit of this new age and there were the new tools to manipulate our new sleek selves. Simplicity would be short lived as we learned new ways to create ourselves. One of the more interesting aspects of the new look was the fascination with hair. The short hair styles left fancy braiding and sacred hair buns to the past and now the new “boy” look had to distance itself from the boy. Simple hair irons could produce simple curls, but with the proliferation of electric power and the magic it promised, these irons became more complex and were the new convenience tool. Demand spawned creativity and innovation as these irons became modern marvels turning the curl into magnificent waves.









The Exhibit, “NIGHT AND DAY - THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES,” will open April 3rd. Erin, working with staff and volunteers, filling the veins of these remnants of the past, bringing forth the memories of not just a time but the souls of a lost age. A visit on any Saturday will let you witness progress in this transformation
 
Classes

February 26 and March 5

 FELT HAT BLOCKING CLASS with Jacqueline Palacios. A Friday evening, two session class where you will block and fit a basic felt form to conform to both size and disposition of the maker. Class fee is $70.00

 

April

 With focus on the opening of our newest Exhibit NIGHT AND DAY - THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES,  two exciting classes are in preparation. Carol Wood, our talented and popular costumer will conduct a class on the One-Hour Dress, an authentic reproduction of a 1920’s dress, emphasizing the simplicity of the style which made home sewing a popular pastime.
At the other end of the fashion spectrum, Theresa LaQuey will be offering a class on embroidered embellishment, working with thread beads, the popular technique for making the ordinary extraordinary.
Specifics for both classes should be in the next newsletter..

July 14

CLONES IRISH CROCHET with Maire Treanor, direct from Ireland. This will be a 4 day workshop plus an evening lecture where the spirit and techniques of this magical lace, which saved a Nation, will be brought to life. The workshop will focus on technique, the secrets of hand and thread manipulation not found in on the written page. Projects will cover the popular floral motifs and the unique ground of Clones lace as well as the development of patterns. An evening lecture by Maire covering her own collection and studies will compliment the occasion. A rare event. LMLT is honored to have her presence. Workshop fee is $250.00

A reprint of her  popular and now out-of-orint book “Clones Lace” is now in production, with some new materail, and should be available in time for the workshop.

The most advantageous travel plans are best made early.  If there is interest, we are encouraging an early registration to assist Maire in her travel plans.



Details on all classes are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
 
Lace Groups at LMLT

Participation is free and if attending, do bring some of your accomplishments, complete or incomplete, and find a community of friends.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP
This steadily growing group, 5 as of the February meeting, meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 3. Hosted by Maria Jose Munoz and Beth Lysten, all are welcome to learn, share and encourage.  If curiosity persists, we would encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes offered by LMLT.  The group will meet  Saturday, March 20th  from 1 - 3.

KNITTING GROUP
Welcoming knitters of all persuasions to gather, learn, share and explore all the facets of this 1-thread-2-needle textile technique, this group will meet at the Museum on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:00 PM. All are invited, to knit or just meet Amy.   Amy, a creative knitter and natural instructor, can make any garment fit and find a way to restore the intended glory of discards. She helped put an all men’s knitting club in the spotlight in lower Manhattan while instructing children, adults, seniors and celebrities how to tame yarn with a pair of pointed sticks. The group will next meet on March 13.


 
Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.

New in the Shop


SAMPLERS, Rebecca Scott[ [RI37] Samplers, exemplifying the work of our hands, is a documented social history of the Western world as these dated and signed textiles accurately reflect the social temperament of the times in which they were made. Stitched initially as learning exercises they would eventually serve to keep the hands from being idle while offered messages of educational, religious and social comment in addition to being purely decorative elements to be passed down through the generations.

HARDANGER 3, MYM [EN06]. From Spain, new excitement in hardanger using contrasting threads and a new stitch vocabulary.

BORDADO YUGOSLAVO 3 [MYM]. Again from Spain, innovations in huck embroidery with new fanciful colorful designs for linens and home dec.

MAGICAL BOXES [HD02]. A wonderful place to hide your favorite thimble or memory, these puzzle boxes take a (little) bit of doing to open. Made by hand from inlaid hardwoods, they take the form of florals and kind animals.

SHELL SHAWL PINS [CH73]. Shell is truly one of natures marvels. These beautiful disks of subtle iridescent shades will serve as a beautiful closure for a shawl or simply an element of natures beauty os a brooch. 2.3” in diameter and held in place with a decorative rosewood  pin.

SEWING ASSISTANT [LH48]. This heavy duty version of the traditional “third hand” sewing assistant is again available and remains a must for any sewer’s basket.

BONE NEEDLE BOX [SO87]. This beautifully carved, incised and etched bone box can be a favorite resting place for those special platinum and gold needles. Images of tree frogs is the theme of this 3-1/4” box.
[needs a better picture then in data base]

MILLINERY FELT [NB20]. A 100% wool flexible felt, 8.5 oz/sy, in colors of Sea Grass, Honey Bisket, Vintage Black and Natural is now available for the creative hat maker. It is easily sewn and can be shaped with steam.

Closing Thoughts

The Twenties ushered in an era of freedom for the individual, the new  immigrants now having a  foothold on this distant soil, discovering the power of courage, determination and responsibility. They could not only survive with their inner resources, they could create and hold onto the wealth from their hands, strength and the determination to succeed and then spawn generations which could build on this spirit.  Let us reflect on this period, the rewards and joys, and find a way to get ourselves back on track, remembering why we are here.

Jules

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
2982 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA  94703

http://lacismuseum.org/

at Ashby & Adeline St., adjacent to the "Ashby" BART Station
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
tel: 510-843-7290