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.

About the Author
Jean Leader discovered bobbin lacemaking forty years ago and lacemaking continues to be a source of satisfaction and enjoyment. Jean has authored many books and DVDs on different styles of lace, and produced an iPhone app on lace identification. She teaches classes locally in Glasgow, and workshops in Britain, USA, Canada and Australia. In this book Jean brings many years of experience to introducing the Bedfordshire lace techniques of traditional patterns and some designed recently.

Reviews
This book is extremely well laid out, easy to follow and tells you everything you need to know. All the steps in the book have excellent diagrams, clear instructions and photographs of the finished lace with close-ups where needed to show the working. It is certainly a book that will not just be kept on the shelf, but be much used and referred to. -- Diana Pickford * SEW Region Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781785008184
Author Jean Leader
Format Hardback
Page Count 128
Imprint The Crowood Press Ltd
Publisher The Crowood Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 551g
Dimensions(mm) 246mm * 189mm * 14mm