Ref: SLW35811
This workshop is an exciting opportunity for beginners to experience the delights of bobbin lacemaking without the need to buy equipment. Lapsed lacemakers will enjoy the time and space to renew their old skills, and those with experience will be able to extend their expertise with the help and support of a very experienced teacher. The aim is that you will have an enjoyable time making lace and will go home with the confidence to work independently.
During the course, beginners will learn the essential techniques of lacemaking: how to prepare a pricking, how to wind bobbins, how to dress their pillow correctly and how to work the basic stitches. They will also be given advice on books, suppliers and on continuing their lacemaking at home.
Those lacemakers with previous experience will build on their skills and extend their knowledge of this traditional craft. They will choose a pattern in consultation with the tutor, prior to the workshop, in order to fully profit from the course.
You will receive individual instruction on your chosen lace. The tutor will give demonstrations to small groups, as appropriate, and have examples of lace, lace books and other displays of lace available during the course. There will be opportunities to discuss topics of interest with other lacemakers and to review the work of the course.
Those with lacemaking experience, please bring your usual lacemaking equipment and a notebook and pen. Once you have discussed your pattern with the tutor, to save time, please wind your bobbins, prick and mark your pattern in preparation for the course.
Complete beginners are advised to contact the tutor as soon as you receive confirmation that you are booked on the course. Please email: [email protected] The tutor will be able to lend you all the equipment and supply the materials, if you contact her beforehand.
If you have any examples of bobbin lace, photographs, slides or anything which would be of interest to other course members, please bring them with you.
Reading glasses, if worn
Available from tutor: Lace thread for beginners will cost £3 per student.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
Jan is a very experienced lace maker and teacher. She is a fully qualified teacher (B.Ed Hons) and was taught Bobbin Lacemaking by the legendary tutors Miss E. Dawson of Speen and Margaret Tite. She was commissioned to write, Torchon LaceMaking - A Step by Step Guide, first published in 2010 with two reprints.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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