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The
Lacis
Museum Newsletter
March 7, 2009
Dear
Friends of LMLT,
We
hear of the hot weather in Idaho while here, in the Bay Area, we soak
in the cool Summer weather, a rare rain this week, and a focus on our
unique Summertime. Time for travel and time to visit and spend time
at
LMLT where brides and lace and joy support the smiles found
today in
so few places.
As our Exhibit “AS THE CENTURY TURNS” absorbs the
attention of our
visitors (see continuing events below), our energies are moving toward
our next major lace exhibit, “BOBBIN LACE”,
opening September 26. As
with our other exhibits, we try and look at our subjects in a more
unusual and intimate way...a way only possible within the physical
parameters of LMLT.
In view of the complexity and broad scope of the subject, we will be
including a short essay in each newsletter on some of the many aspects
of bobbin lace for the purpose of, when the exhibit does open, you and
bobbin lace already being friends.
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BOBBIN
LACE |
A HYPOTHESIS
Bobbin Lace, one of many techniques for making lace, represents a
little understood connectivity between the soul of man and a universal
natural order. Much like the geometric design of a snowflake is a
creation of nature, governed by natural laws, so bobbin lace,
likewise, is governed by these innate laws but is now the creation of
man.
Developed as a natural evolution of plaited threads, as characteristic
of any loom weaving, or finger manipulated bands, the creation of
openwork patterns was destined to reach the ultimate potential of
thread manipulation. The uniqueness of bobbin lace is the allowing the
working with free-ended threads of unlimited numbers.
When we examine the early examples of bobbin lace, it is evident that
it developed independently and simultaneously in many different areas,
much like the magical Spring day when blossoms appear everywhere. A
connectivity that is only now being understood as common to all living
organisms. In a world where isolation was the norm, it is quite amazing
to see this development. Each area where bobbin lace took root, had
this commonality, and yet sought to protect not only its own designs
and stitches, but the bobbins and pillows, the necessary tools of this
craft. To his day, many of the styles and tools
persist with the understanding that to make a specific lace, you must
use the specific bobbins, pillows and thread traditionally associated
with this lace. Using Danish bobbins to make an English lace is
unthinkable.
Images of a bobbin lace edging (Binche) and a diagram of the order
formoing the nodes (Art and Craft of Old Lace by Van Hanneberg). The
concept explained in the next newsletter.
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NEW
ITEMS
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For a
different approach to bobbin lace, the shop now stocks a wide color
range, including non-tarnishing gold and silver, of 32ga
enameled copper wire, soft tempered, specifically for lace making. The
wire is easily worked, requiring only a small screw eye fitted to the
top of the bobbin. Maria will have examples of some of her
work with wire at he next Bobbin Lace Group meeting on Saturay June 20
(the third Saturday of each month).
NEW BOOKS
Two new Cantu Bobbin Lace collections from Italy are now available,
MOTIVI PER PIZZI DI CANTU #183, a portfolio of heat transfer patterns
for edgings, corners, linens and ecclesiastic motifs and
PIZZO CANTU # with designs for table and home dec. Cantu is a
traditional Italian lace worked in a connected tape manner, requiring
only 10 bobbin pains, easily worked by beginners.
 PUNTI
A GIORNO #5 is the newest in the drawn work series from Maini di Fata.
Color is introduced into the traditional whitework technique.
 RICAMI
HARDANGER is a first for Mani de Fata and expands their counted thread
techniques to the traditions of Norway . Clear diagrams and graphics
for a variety of home dec projects.
 ALTE
TECHNIK NEU ENTDECKE: KUNST-UND SPITSENSTRICKEN IN DER ZEIT VON 1840
BIS BEUTE, Ursula Bernert. From Editha Fischer Verlag a rare guide to
the history of knitted lace from the 1840s to the 21st c. and the
people that made it happen with works by Thetesa de Dillmont, Erich
Engeln, Herbert Niebling, Ulla Bernert, Christine Duchrow and others.
Pictures but no patterns. German text.
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Continuing
Events |
As the Century Turns,” our exhibit featuring scenes from
daily life
during the Belle Epoque, invites viewers to step into the world of the
Gay ‘90’s. Emphasizing the contemporary clothes,
laces and artifacts.
The exhibit is presented as a series of tableaux, each focusing on the
different aspects of the new “adventerous” life
styles such as women
going to work, bicyling and automoble touring. Highlighting the exhibit
with a bit of glamour are the period lifelike wax headed articulated
mannequins graciously loaned by Ellen Thompson, a longtime friend of
Lacis, a member of the LMLT Board of Directors, doll maker and
proprietor of Making Memories Doll Patterns.
This lovely and lively exhibit will be available during regular museum
hours, from noon to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, until 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.
As an adjunct to this exhibit, there is a display of the needlework and
sewing tools of this period ranging from exquisite chatelaines to the
elaborate drafting tools for the seamstress and even the early sewing
machine.
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Classes
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HOW TO MAKE AND DECORATE BUSTLE ERA AND LATE VICTORIAN STRAW HATS with
Lynn McMasters, June 13 and 20
In the first session students will learn how to sew straw plait (braid)
together on a sewing machine to make one of 5 slightly different hats.
At the end of this session Lynn will help students come up with a
design and materials list for finishing up their hats.
In the second session she will teach the different techniques needed to
decorate their hats, covering such things as adding silk flowers over a
large area of the hat without adding glue to the hat, dealing with
feathers (how to join and curl them and how to add them to your hat),
how to use netting on hats to add fill, and how to use fine wire to
make ribbon loops.
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.
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Lace
Groups at LMLT |
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 Saturday, June 6 (the
first Saturday of every month0 from 1 to 3.
BOBBIN LACE GROUP
Meeting on the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 3, all are welcome
to learn, share and encourage. If curiosity persists, we would
encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes by Maria
Maria Jose Munoz. The monthly group is hosted by Maria and Beth Lysten,
a talented and enthusiastic lacemaker from South Africa.
Details on all groups are available on our website at
http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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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 |
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