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The Lacis Museum Newsletter
July 2nd, 2009
Dear Friends of LMLT,
Summer has arrived and in Berkeley, we elcome warmly the cool weather,
the abundance of local produce and visitors to LMLT. On the 10th we
will wekcome Gloria Penning and Gracie Larsen, both founders,
supporters and contributors to the modern knitted lace movement
in the US which we now find so rewarding. The effort be both these
seniors to make the journey is accepted as an honor to our Museum.
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Exhibits |
“As the Century Turns,” our exhibit featuring scenes from
daily life during the Belle Epoch, invites viewers to step into the
world of the Gay ‘90s. Emphasizing period clothes along with the
lace and linens familiar to people living at the turn of the last
century, this exhibit is presented as a series of tableaux. The feel of
the different tableaux is lifelike and homey, with the pieces displayed
not as artifacts but like pieces from a home. Adding a breath of
simulated life are the period 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. These lovingly restored mannequins
impart lifelike movement to the tableaux and a bit of glamour from the
age itself.
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.
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Bobbin Lace
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Approaching LMLT’s major exhibit on Bobbin Lace, opening
September 26, 2009, we are continuing to offer further understanding of
this extraordinary technique by essays from staff and friends.
Contemplating further, the universality of bobbin lace technique...
Working with an unlimited number of threads, an apparent freedom exists
in taming these threads in a most logical order. As a tree grows, in
the freedom of its parameters so does bobbin lace, the natural,
inherent laws controlling this freedom. As its seeds grew
simultaneously in different cultures, its many forms of execution
evolved and grew into identifiable characteristics. In Milan, a couple
of dozen threads could be all that was needed, in Genoa, even less and
in Mechlin, 2,000 threads might not be enough.
The elegance and simplicity is the soul of bobbin lace. Working
with the finest of thread, the heaviest ropes or the complacency of
wire, the same elemental laws apply: Threads are always worked in
pairs, two pairs at a time, one pair in each hand. Only two motions or
manipulations are possible with these pairs, One is referred to as a
“twist” in which the threads of each pair are rotated in a
180 degree (half turn) counterclockwise (right over left) motion. The
other motion is the “cross” in which the inner threads of
each pair are crossed and exchanged in a 180 degree clockwise (left
over right) motion.
These are the only rules. These two motions can be compared to the
“0” and “1” binary language of the computer,
establishing an elegance and sophistication that has extends well
beyond our fantasies.
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Classes |
FELT HAT BLOCKING by Jacqueline Palacios, 2 Saturdays, July 18 and July
25. Jackie discovered millinery in 1982, learning and honing her skills
by working with other designers and the SF Opera. In this class you
learn to manipulate a raw wool felt hood into a personal creation,
exactly sized and shape for a perfect fit..
A FROCK COAT by Todd Roehrman, a 3 session class, Saturdays
August 15 and 22 and Wednesday evening August 19. This will be an
intense class, requiring home time and perhaps an additional session,
with the focus on the fine art of men’s tailoring. It would
include a complete finishing kit for a mid-19th century frock coat.
Todd is a recognized Bay Area Costume Designer and teaches at SFSU.
Details on all classes and registration information will be available
on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html. Registration
forms are also available at the Museum shop.
BOBBIN LACE by Lieve Jerger. From a family dedicated to lace making and
known for her innovative approaches, she will share her enthusiasm in a
program, early October. She incorporated her wire lace into the
illustrations for a delightful tale “The Winged Tiger and The
Lace Princess,” which will be available in its second edition.
She writes of a bobbin lace class “with wire for kids,
mothers and kids age 7 and up, (boys accepted too).”
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Lace Groups at LMLT |
LMLT LACE KNITTING GROUP
Lace knitters of all skill levels are invited to join the LMLT 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.
Normally meeting on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00 to
3:00, the July meeting will be held on July 11, the first Staurday
being the July 4th celebration. Bring along a current project and join
us
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 lace maker from South Africa. The group
will next meet on Saturday, July18th.
Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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New in the Shop |
Three
extraordinary pin cushions modeled after the work of the early 20th c.
artists Data, Seurat and Klimt combine to joys of every needleworker,
in exprssions of dance, costume and beauty. They are approximately
15” tall and should grace any stitchers habitat.
From DMC,, a soft fiber-wrapped copper wire thread they call Color
Infusions Memory Thread, should be a welcome addition to the stitchers
pallet extending the dimensioal parameters of any needlework. Currently
available in silver and gold plus 10 colors.
and from Lacis: the estraordinary “Wanda” needles, the
requested tool by knitters but a beautifoul addition to any needle-tool
collector’s stash. Your are sure to be asked “whatb is this
for?” Made in both ebony and bone these short needlescome
in a set of 3 sizes in two different forms. One set has a crochet hook
on one end and a knitting-needle point on the other and the other set
has a crochet hook on both ends
Let there be light. The embroiderer’s necessity is good vision.
Light and accessory magnification has reached a new sophistication in
“Vision Craft Light.” Supported by a 7/8” wide
mouth clip for simple attachment to hoop or frame, or a free standing
magnetic base for table top use, it combines a 2-level bightness lamp
and a 2x , 2” magnmifier, both supported on easy flexed arms. For
a display or book light the “MiniFlex” is a winner.
Weighing less than 1-1/2 oz (with batteries) it can be clipped to a
wall hanging, book, frame or it can stand free on a table.
NEW BOOKS
EMBROIDERED JEWELLERY by Shirley Anne Sherris A
feast for the innovative embroider with classic results for obvious
display opportunities. No limits with silk, leather, metal, clay, beads
by mahine and hand techniques.
And coming, the extraordinary bobbin lace book from Barbara Fay
focusing on Schneeberger and other contemporary laces designed for
involvement in this extraordinry textile craft.
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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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