Offers a graded course essential for the newcomer to Bedfordshire lace, and provides a thorough grounding in the techniques and step-by-step instructions to help provide the skills for tackling Bedfordshire patterns independently.

Bedfordshire lace became popular in the fashions of the second half of the nineteenth century because of the beauty of its bold-open designs, often with elegant floral motifs, and it continues to fascinate and captivate lacemakers today. This practical book is dedicated to the novice and experienced lacemaker wishing to learn these techniques so as to realize this elegance for themselves. Information is given about the equipment needed for bobbin lacemaking, how to make a pricking (the pattern on which the lace is made), and how to wind thread on the bobbins. Instruction explains how to work cloth stitch and half stitch, plaits, windmill crossings, picots and leaf-shaped tallies, and how to finish a piece of lace. There is a series of twenty-six patterns, some traditional and others designed more recently. These are supported by instructions, photographs and diagrams. The patterns include small motifs, edgings - some with corners for handkerchiefs - butterflies and, finally, three exquisite collars.

The Technique of Bobbin Lace is perfect for the novice as well as the experienced needleworker. From choosing thread, to winding bobbins, to mounting your finished showpiece, here is your complete guide to mastering bobbin lace.

Step-by-step instructions, carefully graded projects for creating Torchon, Bedfordshire, Braided, Modern, other exquisite laces. 26 patterns including motifs for bookmarks, edgings, inserts, corners, medallions. 229 illustrations, including over 50 3-color stitch diagrams.

Torchon lacemaking is a textile art steeped in tradition and the skills required are often perceived to be beyond the reach of ordinary mortals. In this practical book, Jan Tregidgo describes those skills through a step-by-step guide and makes them accessible to all. She explains traditional techniques through a series of specially designed samplers, which can be worked in order by the beginner or in any order they choose by the more experienced. Although colour is not traditional in bobbin lace, it has been used here to great effect so the path of each thread can be clearly followed through the sampler. The book covers essential equipment and materials, described in detail; traditional techniques are fully explained through a sequence of specially designed samplers; instructions for a super-beaded sampler; advice on adapting and designing your own patterns; guide to joining and mounting lace; helpful troubleshooting hints; and information on suppliers and museums with lace collections. This is an indispensable guide for all lacemakers, textile artists and designers, and is superbly illustrated with over 700 colour illustrations including step-by-step photographs and simple diagrams to ensure that each stage is understood.