The Lacis Museum Newsletter
March 7, 2009
Dear Friends of LMLT,

Hello, I’m back at my desk, and trying to catch up on all that has happened here at Lacis in my absence. Now that the excitement of the lace-making retreat has subsided, we are moving along to our new projects with a renewed sense of commitment to our mission of making lace an ongoing presence in the world by making lace-makers happy.

Exhibits
Erin and her assistants have been busy at work on our next exhibit, “As the Century Turns: The World of the 1890’s.” In a departure from our usual format, Erin has arranged this exhibit as a series of staged tableaux displaying garments, linens and laces in a natural setting. The new exhibit format invites visitors to look through the keyhole and witness a slice of life as the world of the 1890's hurtles headlong into the 20th century, viewing the pieces as items in everyday use rather than as isolated artifacts. A collection of wax-headed articulated dolls from the turn of the century, painstakingly restored and generously lent by Ellen Thomsen for this exhibit, impart an air of life-like movement to the tableaux, as well as a bit of glamour from the age itself.

We look forward to meeting you at the opening reception on Friday, April 3, from 6 to 9 p.m., to introduce you to this beautiful new exhibit.

The exhibit will be available during regular museum hours, from noon to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, from April 4 to August 1, 2009. We are always happy to welcome groups, so let us know if you'd like to bring your class or group for a special tour. Please call Erin at the museum shop, (510) 843-7290 to make arrangements.
 
Special Exhibit 
To complement our recent lace-making retreat, Lisa Neidinger, a LMLT board member and lover of lace knitting, assembled a wonderful exhibit celebrating the lives of two important California lace makers, Gracie Larsen and Marguerite Shimmons, both of whom have given generously not only of their work, but also of their indomitable and endlessly creative spirits, to ensure that fine handworked lace survives and grows.

Gracie, widely known as “Lacey Gracie,” learned lace making at the knee of her mother and aunt, and has pursued lace making of every sort, especially the fine handwork of her Scandinavian heritage, since girlhood. She was one of the founding mothers of the Sunnyvale Lace Museum, and a pillar of the Lace Knitters Guild, through whose newsletter she has disseminated her wide knowledge of lace knitting far and wide, along with generous helpings of encouragement, friendship, and joy in the beauty of handmade lace. She was a great friend of Kaethe Kliot, the founder of Lacis, and has been one of the greatest supporters of the museum that celebrates Kaethe’s legacy.

Marguerite was born in Russia, and made her way to the US by way of Germany, where she first encountered fine lace knitting. Through her long and busy career in engineering, she engaged in countless artistic endeavors, from gardening and photography to sewing and interior decorating, but she never forgot knitted lace, and since she retired, she has knitted over a thousand pieces of fine lace. She has also published lace designs in Anna magazine, as well as an autobiography in German (soon to appear in English as well.) Marguerite has donated several pieces of her art to the museum (which can be seen on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/new_acquisitions.html), and has gained a very special place in our hearts.
 
Classes at LMLT
MAKING A VICTORIAN CORSET with Carol Wood, April 4 and 18
Carol Wood, an accomplished costumer, will teach you the art and engineering of the Victorian corset, and guide you in making one of your own. Starting with the pattern for “Ladies’ Victorian Underwear” (#100) by Laughing Moon Mercantile, you’ll alter the pattern to make a muslin mock-up fitted to your exact measurements, then you’ll use your adjusted muslin mock-up to make a single- or double-layer corset in coutil, with the option of covering it in your choice of fashion fabric. Depending on your sewing ability and choice of fabrics, it is possible to complete your corset if you work on your project both Saturdays as well as the week between. You’ll also receive a huge list of corsetry and reenactment suppliers, bibliography, and demo handouts.

BOBBIN LACE IN FINE WIRE with Kim Davis, April 11 and 18
This class is for wire lace beginners as well as advanced students. Basic bobbin lace skills are necessary. Students new to wire lace will begin with plaiting in wire and progress to more difficult techniques. Intermediate students will learn basic groundwork, sewings, adding beads, and use of gimps and metal ribbon for special effects. Advanced students will work a guipure pattern with leaves, plaits and cloth stitch to produce a brooch or pendant.

Wire bobbins will be available in class for students to borrow upon request. A class kit will be supplied in class with wire and other necessary tools. This two-day class will include discussion and handout about choosing appropriate bobbins, tools, and wire for projects.

Details on all classes and registration information are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html. Registration forms are also available at the Museum shop.
 
Lace Groups
LACIS LACE KNITTING GROUP
Lace knitters of all skill levels are invited to join the Lacis Lace Knitters, a flourishing and friendly knitting family that meets once a month to share, show-and-tell, occasionally commiserate, congratulate, and always encourage each other through knitting thicks and thins. Bring along a current project and join us this coming Saturday, March 7, and the first Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 in the museum shop.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP
The Lacis Bobbin Lace Group will meet on January 17, from 1 to 3. Our bobbin lace classes with the charming and talented Maria Jose Munoz have produced lots of new bobbin lacers who are clamoring for lace-making camaraderie, and so Maria and the bobbin lacers now gather at the museum on the third Saturday of every month from 1 to 3 to share tips and work on lovely pillow lace of every description. Bring along your bobbins and join in the fun, or just come by and watch the magic happen.

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

New in the Shop
Great news for lace knitters: our translation of GESTRICKTE SPITZENDECKEN has gone off to the printers, and should be available sometime in April. Most of the patterns in this book were designed by Herbert Niebling, but many errors seem to have crept into the original edition. After extensive revisions, corrections, and test knitting, we hope that the patterns in our new edition are more knitter-friendly, and that the volume will reward your patient wait with hours and hours of happy knitting.

Further Niebling news includes the appearance of three volumes of lace knitting patterns, two of them with patterns by Herbert Niebling and the third with patterns by Marie Niedner and Mitzi Donner. These books will be coming from Verlag fuer die Frau in April, and can be pre-ordered now.

 
Closing Thoughts
In closing, I want to thank all of you for the many kind notes of condolence that you have sent on the occasion of my husband’s death. Your friendship and prayers have been a source of great comfort to me and I am grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Best wishes for a spring filled with renewal of life and hope!

Mary Frances and your friends at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles



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