Wednesday 8 June 2016

bobbin lace

At the start of last year I cracked open a House of Crafts Bobbin Lace kit and had a go - you can see the results in this post.  For some reason, me being me probably, I didn't pick it up again.  When a bobbin lace class appeared on the 2016 class schedule at The Bead Shop Nottingham, mum fancied a go so I thought I'd give it another try, maybe some tuition would help.


The equipment required is a hay pillow (a large, flat cushion stuffed with hay that means the pins go in and don't wiggle around), sets of bobbins (the beaded spangles on the bottom are to distinguish them), a pricking pattern, pins and some kind of thread.  As we were making jewellery we used S-lon cord which is a thinnish cord.  It is not stranded which helps immensely!  The first stage was to wind the cord onto the bobbins in pairs.  It took bloody ages!  The damn stuff kept slipping off.


Here is the start of my bracelet.  I have to say, I have absolutely no idea what happened here or how this was made.  The teacher opted for the don't-bother-showing-or-telling-them-what-to-do-just-do-it-for-them method of teaching.  I'd like to point out she's not a member of the Bead Shop staff.  I was, to put it mildly, a bit frustrated by this.


Anyway, we soon figured out the actual body of the bracelet and I got the pattern.  It was pretty easy once I got going.  There was supposed to be a row of beads down the sides, but I kept forgetting to push them up so my beads are random.  On purpose, of course.


Twisty!  Here's what the finished article looks like.


I added the buttons for the closure at home.  I just kind of wung it and tied and glued and cut and hoped for the best.


Not the neatest closure.  I had to go for two buttons as in the initial teacher-doing-it-for-me bit, she made the closure loop and I didn't have any buttons big enough to fit it!


It was interesting, and after the initial disappointment, I rather enjoyed it.  AND, I can say I'll be doing this again as I already have!  I've picked up that kit again and I'm a couple of flowers in... that reminds me, I haven't taken any photos...

11 comments:

Kerryp77 said...

Fab colour selection. It's always something I've fancied having a go at but been put off in that it looks super complicated. You've made a great job of yours and I'm looking forward to seeing the flowers too.

Rachel said...

Bobbin lace is one of those things which is easy enough to get to grips with, at least to begin with, and it's turned out very well, especially given the sort of teacher you had!

Christine said...

That's really effective. I did some lace making a few years ago (probably started with the same kit as you did), but I haven't picked it up in ages. I found I would develop the most terrible backache from the way I sat over it

Cath said...

Well done on completing the bracelet - it certainly looks like you got the hang of the body of the bracelet. Starting off in bobbin lace can be very confusing at first - even if the teacher tells you what to do, you end up following her instructions without really understanding what you're doing. When I started I had the Dryad kit which had a polystyrene domed pillow and plastic bobbins - similar to your experience the whole thing just shifted around all the time. Keep persevering - it will be worth the effort.

D1-D2 said...

I've always wanted to learn this. I'm going with a group of ladies to a fair held by l'Association des dentellieres de Quebec (lacemakers association of Quebec) and I hear they have demonstrations =D So I can't wait

busybusybeejay said...

I think that looks pretty good.I have done a lots of lacemaking in the past but havn't the patience any more.It takes sooooo long to produce a tiny piece.I like your idea of using thicker thread which would make it quicker.Maybe you have sparked something off in me.

Jane said...

Glad you found your way, it's frustrating when you don't get shown the whys and wherefores

Celtic Thistle said...

Sounds like you made this lovely bracelet despite rather than because of your teacher Wendy, well done you. Bobbin lace always looks really complicated to me so a teacher who is useless at providing instructions would have me thoroughly bamboozled!

Magpie Sue said...

Yes, remembering to get photos is always a challenge for me too. This bracelet looks good, in spite of poor teacher quality. At least she didn't put you off trying bobbin lace on your own! Given the opportunity I have a feeling that is yet another type of fiber work I would enjoy.

Sandra :) said...

Cute results, but I don't think my eyes and hands would appreciate this one :D 10 years ago, though, I would have been on it like - well - Sandra on a butter tart! ;)

Sarah in Stitches said...

Very interesting! Doesn't sound like the teacher was very helpful at all. Can't wait to see your second piece!