The Lacis Museum Newsletter

June 3rd, 2010
Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week

The mantra of museums today is social relevance, a way to connect, in a meaningful way to the visitor and the times in which we live. AT LMLT the focus is on the work of our hands, working with threads in infinite ways to create. We preserve these works as treasures of the past and acknowledge the power of the hands before handouts relegated the hands to obsolescence.
But now a time to venture into new social medias, LMLT now has a Facebook Page
Connect and see what we are doing and tell us what you are doing.
 
Events

The EXPLORATORIUM,
The West’s most tantalizing science museum will be presenting a unique summer program “GEOMETRIC THREADS” in conjunction with their new “Geometry Playground” from June 26-August 21.
Complementing the exhibition they are planning a series of programs to highlight the textile arts and geometry emphasizing objects which are beautiful; and functional. lace is one of the areas they would like to focus on. They have asked LMLT to be involved with both exhibit materials in a showcase for the duration of the exhibit as well as demonstrating lace making with a presence on July 3. Before making any commitment we would love to here from any of our Friend who could volunteer. Obvious areas of lace sympathetic to the premise would be lace knitting, teneriffe lace, Torchon bobbin lace, tatting, macrame, filet and crochet.
More info at http://press.exploratorium.edu/geometric-threads-july-2010/
If interested, let us hear from you. Call Erin (510-843-7290) or reply by -mail to erin@lacis.com.


NIGHT AND DAY - THE WORLD OF THE TWENTIES
This exhibit explores the spirit of this period through the garments and accessories, some touched by the ribbon embroidered flowers and beadwork from Paris, others from the day dress pages of the Sears and Roebuck catalog,
Witness the memories as you step through the looking glass of near 100 years ago. For a taste of the exhibit visit a slide show at Slide Show
Incorporated into the exhibit are Ellen Thompson’s contemporary wax-headed articulated dolls which she again generously lent to LMLT for this exhibit. These lovingly restored pieces impart an air of life-like movement  along with a bit of glamour from the age itself.

RAINY DAISIES
Some of the changes that influenced the styles and fads of the 1920s began much earlier in the nineteenth century. Before skirts begin their controversial climb up to the knee in the twenties. There were women blazing that trail from a practical standpoint years before. A Miss Welby founded a club called the Rainy Day club in 1896. She had been plagued by the multiple colds every year and founded a club to support her solution. Miss Welby blamed her recurrent chills on wearing long skirts in bad weather. The club advocated women wear skirts that were an unprecedented four inches off the floor in combination with high boots in bad weather.  Because during inclement weather long skirts became soaked with icy water and mud, the club attracted many women who found it a sensible option to raise the hemlines of the skirts they wore in inclement weather. Called Rainy Daisies, club members were known to wear their ‘short skirts’ not only in bad weather, some wore them everywhere, including to church. The club garnered a considerable amount of attention and members were praised as well as vilified. The stir the group created by appreciating their skirts a mere four inches, was a preview in advance for the hem lengths will took during the 1920s.

   

EMBROIDERY: The Extraordinary of Needle and Spirit. September 25, 2010 - February 1, 2011
The Fall textile exhibit will depart from the previous Lace themes and present an overview of Needlework from the Museum’s Embroidery collection. Encompassing virtually every culture and age, the needle would secure the symbols of tradition as well as the freedom and spirituality of the individual, the needle garnering  an emotional appeal unique to embroidery.
In preparation for this exhibit, restoration of some of these extraordinary pieces will be an on going task at LMLT. Visit as see this work in progress and if the needle is your passion, volunteering to work on these pieces will be welcomed. 


 
 
Classes

June 5

A CLASS IN STRAW WORK with Nan Rohan will be held this Saturday from 10:00 - 4:30  In this one day workshop you will learn to manipulate this ubiquitous fiber that enchanted the earliest of man. Class fee is $65.00 and includes materials.
 
   

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



The Second Edition of Maire’s popular “Clones Lace” is now in production and should be available late this month. This is the story of Irish Crochet and its unique interpretation by the Clones lacemakers. The secrets unfold through detailed instructions, traditional motifs and patterns with the temptation to be challenged by the creative aspects of this Irish lace.

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 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 next meet on Saturday, June 19th 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 this Saturday, June 12



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

New in the Shop

NUOVA S1 LACE BOOKS: An extraordinary collection of Italian lace books covering such diverse areas as Bobbin Lace, Macrame, Tatting, Punto Antico, and Amilia Ars. 

MACRAME IN TOSCANA, Cristina Notore (EN17). Founded in Italian traditions, the author restores the richness and complexity possible with this tactile craft, the threads manipulated by the hands alone. Italian and English text.

DISEGNI PER MERLETTI, Ostaus, Paganino, Vavassore, Vinciolo (EN13). A collection of five 16th c. pattern books, celebrating not only the advent of the printing press but the dissemination of lace and needlework designs supporting and reinforcing the this age of embellishment.

QUADERNI DI AEMILIA ARS - FIORI, (EN23).  From “Il Club delle Aristocratiche Signore” [the club of aristocratic ladies] Aemelia Arts Lace is presented through floral designs. Step by step photos, clear diagrams and classic projects should entice needle lace enthusiasts.

A NEEDLE LACE BOUQUET, Loretta Holzberger (LH54). If there was any temptation to try needle lace, this book is sure to captivate you. Three dimensional needle lace flower designs working with color threads and a variety of decorative stitches. Includes patterns and instructions for 9 different flowers.

Closing Thoughts

As world politicians figure out how to control the CO2 in what we exhale in order to live, the Earth takes notice in the insidious nature of mankind by spewing forth its own fluids in defiance. Let us focus on the freedom to breath and honor this Earth with respect and not control.  


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