The Lacis Museum Newsletter
July 30th, 2009
 
Dear Friends of LMLT,

Exhibits

This will be the last weekend of  “As the Century Turns,” our exhibit featuring scenes from daily life during the Belle Epoch, Difficult to believe this seemingly timeless exhibit will disappear, as it has taken on a life of its own with the lifelike mannequins and scenes that we all seem to have memories of.  With much gratitude to Erin whose spirit extends into all she touches and Ellen Thomsen who so graciously shared these lovely mannequins with all our visitors. The exhibit will be open through this Saturday, August 1.





NEW EXHIBIT

Our next exhibit “Bobbin Lace”  will be filling our Gallery over the next two months in time for the opening on September 26. To add dimension, understanding and to promote this ubiquitous craft we will be scheduling demonstrations and classes. We wold love to hear from any one who would be willing to commit to demonstrating bobbin lace, specifically on Saturdays, during between and time between September 26 and February 1. Please contact Erin at 510-843-7290 or erin@lacis.com.

Offering further understanding and curios of this extraordinary lace technique, this issue of the newsletter is offering insight to one of the most extraordinary of the laces:

VALENCIENNES
One of the more interesting laces in that it was not only one of the earliest, but managed to evolve and transcend all styles of design, costume and social order, a popular lace well into the 20th c. when machine Val could easily reproduce the look if not the structure of this lace. It is a straight or continuous lace implying that all threads are continuous through the work,, becoming both ground and toile (motif) elements. It is a soft flat lace, i.e. without any cordonnet or outlining heavy thread. The unusual ground is made entirely of 4-strand braids from threads so fine that, by the 18th c. were invisible to the unaided eye. Worked in damp cellars to keep the threads from becoming brittle, lace makers often suffered physically. It is this characteristic which lent the lace to be easily produced by the machine which could only make uneven twisted threads, visually simulating the braids. The initial short braids created a mesh with round holes but as the braids got longer and longer,, the holes took on a distinct easily recognized square appearance 
Myth or reality, it was said that the quality of true Valenciennes, i.e. lace made in the town of the same name, was so delicate that distinction was made between a vrai and fausse Valenciennes. It was said that vrai Valenciennes could only be produced in the town of Valenciennes. If a piece were begun in Valenciennes and finished outside the walls, of the town, the part not made within the city would be visibly less beautiful even though continued by the same lacemaker. I suppose this would be not unlike trying to make real sour dough bread outside of San Francisco. It’s just not the same. The threads used for these 18th c. laces were valued at ten times that of gold  of equal weight.

 
 
 


PAST EXHIBIT

California’s Living Knitted Lace Treasures: a Tribute to Gracie Larsen and Marguerite Shimmons
These two ladies, who in very different ways, brought recognition and respect to lace knitting, recognizing it as an art form were celebrated earlier this year in an exhibit coinciding with the LMLT Retreat. Lisa Neidinger, a committed supporter of lace knitting and LMLT who did the research for this exhibit has completed the work for our exhibit gallery. Please visit http://lacismuseum.org/previous_exhibits.html to view her contribution. A collection of the knitted works of Marguerite Shimmons can be viewed at http://lacismuseum.org/new_acquisitions.html.


 
Forthcoming Event

Theresa Pulido and Locker Hooking

An unusual rug making technique that struck the curiosity of Kaethe many years ago is finally getting into main stream with the publication of “Hook, Loop & Lock” a book of fun projects that take looker hooking well beyond its rug connotations. LMLT will be hosting Theresa on Saturday, August 22, between 1 and 4:00 PM  where she will be demonstrating the charms of this technique which can serve the “green” movement well with its ability to turn virtually any fiber, including old garments and plastic bags into items ranging from baskets  to bracelets and even rugs . Should be fun. Her book is presently in stock
 
Classes

A FROCK COAT by Todd Roehrman, a 4 session class,  This class has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

VICTORIAN CORSET MAKING by Carol Wood. Carol is again offering this popular class as a two-part workshop starting this Saturday August 1 followed by a second session on Saturday August 8. By working on this during the week you should be able to complete the project by class end. This will be a double-layer corset in coutil with the option of covering it in your choice fashion fabric. A finished corset is on display at the Museum.

SILK RIBBON EMBROIDERY by Mike Swan. Saturday August 22, 10:00 to 1:00 PM. This 3-hr glass is sure to get you involved in a lifelong passion for embroidery through the extraordinary talents and enthusiasm of Mike Swan a 30 year member of the EGA and long time teacher. All materials are included in the class fee.

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).”
 
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. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00 to 3:00. Bring along a current project and join us   The group will meet this Saturday August 1st.

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 will be hosted this month by Beth Lysten, Maria being on a deserved vacation., The group will next meet on this coming Saturday, August 15.
 
 Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.

New in the Shop

THE COSTUME HISTORY, by Auguste Rascinet  (TA52). An extraordinary special priced, cloth covered, commemorative 416pg, 7# over size edition of this 1888 costume classic covering The Ancient World, The 19th c. other than Europe, Europe between 400-1800; and Traditional Costume till the late 19th c.  these section selected from the 1,300 pg original.Text in English, French and German 



KNITS FROM THE NORTH SEA by Carol Rasmussen Noble (MT66). Many fingers have now felt the joy of working with lace weight yarns. This collection will certainly add to the aesthetic pleasure in 16 projects in the Shetland lace tradition ranging from, shawls, stoles, scarves and triangles.



FREEFORM STYLE, Jonelle Raffinoi & Prudence Mapstone (FY01). Fans of liberation (and fun) will surely be inspired by this collection  where straightforward patterns are transformed into personal signatures.



KNITTING THE PERFECT PAIR, Dorothy T. Ratigan (FW83): As evidenced by the overwhelming interest in sock darners, the return to the sock as a precious loving garment is evident. No longer one-size-fits-all, this book emphasizes the perfect fit to foot and personality.



A new DMC collection of 36 novelty threads called “Color Infusion” geared to embellishment is now available. In four groups =  memory thread, silky, sparklers, and cotton, these bursts of color and texture  are sure to inspire.

For bobbin lacers who love spangling, we now have large (11 x 13mm) Czech Bell-Flower Glass Beads in several colors for a perfect center bead or to decorate the separator pins.



Plan a visit, bring your textile treasures and learn more about them, find passion in what you do and love a friend.

Jules

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