The Lacis Museum Newsletter

July 15th, 2010
Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week

At our Board Meeting this week, the focus was on social media, specifically Facebook and ideas abounded on how we can serve the textile community through this channel. Karen Tierney has accepted the challenge to get it started and kudos go to her. At present she will be the only one who is able to make postings. If any of our “Frieds” have any comments please contact her through “karen tierney” ktierney@LacisMuseum.org
Many plans are in the making from our new exhibit to a host of new classes and events. Do keep in touch through our facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Berkeley-CA/Lacis-Museum-of-Lace-and-Textiles/129210583757877?created
 
Events

Special Event

The Exploratorium lace event was a resounding success. We were treated royally as Maria and Beth, with patience beyond my understanding, demonstrated the magic of bobbin lace. The Exploratorium can be a chaotic place, everything “hands-on,” thousands of exhibits screaming for attention, to a mostly young crowd with limited attention spans. But they discovered lace, little wood bobbins and fine threads...they were fascinated. Donna Wong, the Public Program Coordinator and our host wrote in a hand written thank you note “ It was incredibly inspiring to see young people engaged with the lace interactive displays for over 30 minutes - this is unusual on our floor! I think you’ve gained several lace fans and have increased the publics appreciation for lace making.” More on this program can be found at http://press.exploratorium.edu/geometric-threads-july-2010





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 the 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.


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.
Many of the larger embroideries were embellished with elaborate tassels, often of metallic threads. As an adjunct to this exhibit a collection of early metal thread tassels will be presented. To connect with the hands of the embroiderer, a display of the embroiderer’s tools will also be included as part of the exhibit.

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

(Note: Class schedules subjects to change. Confirm prior to registering)

July 14

CLONES IRISH CROCHET with Maire Treanor, In full swing, the class filled to capacity, students coming from as far away as Alaska to partake in this rare event and share the secrets of this lace that saved a nation. A lecture this Thursday evening by Maire is open to all and will cover her own collection and studies, and her story of Ireland



The Second Edition of Maire’s popular “Clones Lace” is now available. 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.

 In conjunction with the books release and Maire’s workshop there is a display of Maire’s work and some traditional Irish Crochet.

August 14, Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 PM

The Classic 1920’s Cloche with Janyce Engan. This is the wonderful hat that represents perhaps the most classic styles of the 1920s, as stylish today as it was 90 years ago. Depending on fabrics and trims, it can look elegantly tailored or fashionably sporty. We will discuss trimmings and as time allows, construct ideas for the finished hat.
Janyce Engan has been teaching various forms of sewing and needlework in the Bay Area for over 20 years, blending a deep grounding in vintage fashion and an extensive knowledge of a wide range of techniques together with a liberal dash of good humor and patience.
Janice is the owner of the “Vintage Pattern Lending Library” established for the purpose of preserving, archiving,, and replicating historic fashion patterns from 1840 through 1950, vintage sewing publications, and fashion prints of the past.



September 4 and 11, Saturdays 9:00 - 11:30 AM

A GUIDE TO LACE KNITTING with Amy Keefer. A 2 session Saturday morning class Geared to beginner knitters who know how to cast-on, knit and purl, this class will take them to the next and most fascinating step, that of creating openwork. The class will cover lacy increases and decreases, a variety of openwork patterns and then advance into tackling charted patterns as used to convey traditional lace shawls, blankets, table pieces and scarves.
Amy is a member of the LMLT Staff and hosts the LMLT Knitting Group.

September 18, Saturday, 10:00 - 4:00 PM

CRAZY QUILT SACHET with Janyce Engan. Learn the magic of decorative stitching as you construct and complete a sachet in the “crazy quilt” style where a variety of stitches and embellishments, including beads, ribbon, images and more are incorporated in a free style design. The class will offer something for every student from beginner to experienced stitcher.



November 6th, and 20th, Saturdays, 10:00 to 5:00

VICTORIAN CORSETRY with Carol Wood. Carol will again offer this popular workshop. In this three-part class you will learn the art and engineering of the Victorian corset, and make one of your own. Using 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, and then you’ll use your muslin to make a double-layer corset in coutil, with the option of covering it in your choice of fashion fabric. The two class session is designed to allow adequate time between classes to do work on your project on your own time. Depending on your sewing ability and choice of fabrics, the object will be to complete your corset by class end. You can see an example of the corset on display at the museum shop.

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

In the planning stage:

A SEWING TUTORIAL with Janyce Engan
A continuation program for students of all skill levels, to work on projects of specific interest to them. Session will be held Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 PM, with sign ups for 1 or more sessions. Each session will open with a lecture on some aspect of sewing such as darts, seam finishes, zippers, etc, as well as specific techniques such as drafting, sewing a custom fitted skirt, tailoring, a 1930’s woman’s jacket, quilting, glove making, hand embroidery and vintage inspired gifts. Students will be encouraged to work on their own projects.

As this is a new concept for LMLT, you interst and/or coments would be welcomed.
 
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.

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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 Saturday, August  7



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

New in the Shop

CROCHETING ADVENTURES WITH HYPERBOLIC PLANES, Daina Taimina (AP05).Fantastic organic shapes of negative curvature elegantly formed by yarn and a crochet hook with enough analysis and justification to satisfy any academic discipline. The piece illustrated on the cover is currently on exhibit at the Exploratorium as part of the Geometry and Textile Exhibit.

THE BORRIS LACE COLLECTION, A UNIQUE IRISH NEEDLELACE, Marie Laurie & Annette Meldrum {TD86]. Finally released, this is an important work on the ubiquitous tape laces  as well as a presentation of a unique, recently discovered tape lace of Ireland which has been researched and explored through traditional and modern projects.

CELTIC, VIKING & ANGLO-SAXON EMBROIDERY, Jan Messent (UO90), Embroidery, writings, artwork and history with an exploration of historical materials and techniques through the author’s beautifully executed mixed-media creations. A testimony to her renowned talent.

NORWEGIAN PATTERNS FOR KNITTING, Handberg (TR49). Inspired by traditional Norwegian garments, these innovative patterns include vests, jackets, mittens, and hats with design templates and patterns charts

EASY TO CROCHET POTHOLDERS, Cornelia Dobiasch (TR48). Retro, fun and joy in over 25 colorful patterns with all the basic instructions needed.  What better way to spend a summer afternoon.

Closing Thoughts

Hoping the long summer days will inspire peace and a renewal of energy to face the, sure to be, tumultuous days ahead. A time to focus, to create, to use your hands...and plan a visit to LMLT.

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