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The
Lacis
Museum Newsletter
October 8th, 2009
Dear
Friends of LMLT,
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Exhibits |
BOBBIN LACE has now taken center stage at LMLT. On opening
day, Lieve Jerger demonstrated bobbin lace making with copper wire,
making the thee foot wheels for a full size lace carriage she is
working on while Maria Jose Munoz, demonstrated and taught the more
traditional, giving understanding and appreciations of the exhibited
laces. Both these ladies have classes scheduled at LMLT. To appreciate
the beauty of the technique and its universal appeal, I encourage all
to take a beginner class, if for no other reason then to understand.
This week I encouraged a couple to join a tour. The gentleman, assumed
to be her son, whispered in my ear “she’s 98 years
old.” Not to miss anything, she joined in, a bit slumped over
but certainly quite alert. Many questions and on leaving she inquired
“Where can I learn to do this.” I told her
“right here” and she left with a marvelous glow.
An extraodinary exhibit with, in the tradition of LMLT, an
unusual message intertwined with the multitudes of threads. The lace is
presented incidental to the lace maker who is represented by over a
hundred images covering 500 years of lacemaking from every strata of
our social systems. Each tour seems to bring a new vitality to these
frozen images of the courts of Europe as well as streets strewn with
rubble, all recorded through the eyes of the contemporary artists and
photographers.
The exhibit will take you through the looking glass to a world of
wonder...to a world of women who
only knew survival, never understood idle hands and accepted this role
of life not as a chore but with pride as they found purpose for being.
A picture I always share on the tour is a Mom with her thee daughters,
perhaps 4-6 years old, all making bobbin lace and you can hear the
little ones as they cry “look mommy...look what I can
do.” Most of the scenes express a commraderie
between the lacemakers, working as if in a modern-day quilting bee,
most making lace, perhaps one spinning the thread. It is such an
association, unique to women, that is the soul of bobbin
lace. Lace makers of every age participating in this life,
creating wealth from their fingers alone.
And a flashback to our first Irish Crochet Exhibit, where the women of
the mid 19th c, from every stage of life, formed a powerful whole in
creating a miracle lace that saved a faltering nation that the men left
for better worlds. And so, when life is challenged it is the women who
become the saviors. I sense this again, today, as the women in these
desperate times, arise from the shadows of home, sensing threats to
family and become a fearless force. This time they want their country
back and are determined to restore a shredded Constitution that that
they entrusted to the men who vowed to protect it.
My perspective of the women of bobbin lace and of course the lace, can
be shared through a daily tour that I give each day at 3:00 PM.
Offering a 5 minute minimum tour, it has gripped most visitors who take
this trip through the looking glass and find that, for this moment,
time stops.
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Classes |
COPPER
WIRE 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 teaching program at LMLT.. 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. Her class
projects will include “Leafke” an interpretation of
any leaf the student might bring, “Snowflake” a
simple project worked with 8 bobbins, and “Caresse”
a 3-D project. For some further information on this innovative lace
maker visit her blog.
http://web.mac.com/lievejerger/copper/Blog/Blog.html.
Lieve will be offering (2) 3 hour classes on November 14, The early
class will be from 10:00 to 1:00 and an afternoon class from 2:00 to
5:00. Both classes will be open to anyone with basic bobbin lace
knowledge. Those taking both classes will be able to advance
to “The Glove of the Invisible Woman” a 3-D project.
   
BOBBIN
LCE by Maria Jose
Mnoz.
A two session class open to all levels. Class will be on Saturdays,
October 24 aand November 7, 2009 from 2 - 5 PM. Session 1 is
for beginners who will learn the basics of bobbin lace: the basic
stitches, how to choose the right materials and how to follow patterns.
Intermediate and advanced students will work on more challenging
projects, learn different techniques, and refine their skills.
Session 2 is for those who have taken Session 1 or have a working
knowledge of bobbin lace technique.
Come explore the richness of this beautiful art that developed in the
16th century, discover all the possibilities that it offers, and open
your hands to a new textile adventure.
HELT
HAT BLOCKING by Jacqueline Palacios.
A two session Friday evening class, November 6 and 13 from 6 - 9 PM.
Learn to create your own handcrafted hat. You will block a felt hood
into the style of your choice, exactly sized to fit your head and
features. This is a hands-on class where you learn the techniques,
using the materials, and tools you need to create a finished hat from a
pre-made felt hood. Hat blocks and steamer will be provided.
 
LEARN
TO KNIT FOR LIFE by Amy Keefer.
This will be a 2 session class on consecutive Saturdays, October 10 and
October 17 from 10-5 PM at LMLT. In this two day
workshop, beginning students will learn the time honored art and craft
of knitting. Skills covered will include:
Cast-on, knit stitch, purl stitch, simple stitch patterns, shaping and
bind-off, pattern reading and design.
Students will be well on their way to creating their first scarf,
shawl, hat, blanket or poncho by the second class
DESIGN
YOUR OWN SWEATER By Amy Keefer.
This will be a 2 session class on consecutive Saturdays, October 24 and
October 31 from 10-5 PM at LMLT. Learn to design
and knit your first custom raglan sweater from an experienced
instructor. Students must be at an intermediate level, meaning that
they know how to knit and purl. Skills shared will include gauge
swatching, shaping, pattern drafting and knitting in the round.
VICTORIAN
CORSETRY by Carol Wood.
Carol is again offering this popular class as a two-part workshop on
Saturdays November 14 and 21. 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.
Details on all classes are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html
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Lace
Groups at LMLT |
BOBBIN
LACE GROUP
This steadily growing group meets on the third Saturday of each month
from 1 - 3. Hosted by Maria Jose Munoz, all are welcome to learn, share
and encourage. If curiosity persists, we would encourage
participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes by
Maria. The group will next meet on Saturday,
October 17. from 1 - 3.
Details are available on our website at
http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
Details on all groups are available on our website at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.html.
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New in the Shop |
GILT
SYLKE TWIST (TH087). A
flat filament silk (an untwisted silk) and
fine gilt wire (5% gold on a silver plated copper wire) together unlike
other metallic “wrapped” threads. An amazing thread
for
classic embroidery, historical reproduction, needle lace, bobbin lace
and tatting.
ENCHANTRED
SOLE, Janel
Laidman (UO89).
[Exhibit/Bobbin
Lace/ Image/ Opening]
A truly enchanted collection of socks for the adventurous, inspired by
myths and magic each with such magical names as Galadriel, Lothlorien,
and Tintagel.
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| Closing
Thoughts |
In these times of chaos when the fonndations of all that we took for
granted have been removed, we must understand that t is only the human
spirit, residing in ourselves that can be the source of joy. It is our
responsibily alone, to rekindle this spirit and believe in our hands.
Jules
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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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