Expand your weaving skills in a whole new direction! Bobbin lace is a woven lace that is not made on a loom. Instead, the threads are held on bobbins and the lace is created by manipulating and pinning the threads on a special kind of pillow. The freely moving bobbins allow you to exchange “warp” and “weft” threads into intricate lacey designs and patterns that are not possible on a fixed-warp loom. Simple but beautiful patterns can be made with as few as 6 pairs of bobbins while more elaborate lace can require hundreds of pairs of bobbins. In this introductory workshop you will use 8-12 pairs of bobbins and learn how to wind thread onto the bobbins, set up the lace pillow, and make at least 5 foundational lace structures plus a small project.
K2: Introduction to Bobbin Lace
18” – 20” lace making pillow, 12 pairs of lace bobbins
Thread: Mercerized perle cotton size 8 or equivalent cotton thread. You could substitute with size 10 if you have a weaving stash, but the product will be looser (just like in weaving!). You can use 3 to 5 different solid colors, or variegated thread, but avoid dark colors. You will use up to approx. 72 yards total; Lace bobbins: 12 pairs (24 total bobbins). Any style is fine, but if you are buying them, I recommend a Belgian Standard (4” continental) or spangled English Midland style. Do not mix spangled and unspangled bobbins; Lace making pillow: 18” - 20” diameter cloth-covered cookie pillow is preferred; 16” diameter is the minimum size you should get. If you already have a lace-making bolster or roller pillow, that will work for our patterns, too; Straight pins: Approx.100-150 #17 Satin or silk pins, or any small-head straight pin about 0.6 - 0.7 mm dia x 26-38 mm long; Corsage or ball-head straight pins: 5 or 6 of these for general use; 2 cover cloths (fine woven dishtowels or quilt fabric fat quarters will work); Non-skid pad (e.g., rubberized shelf liner) to put under the lace pillow; Pin cushion; Thread scissors; Pin vise with #8-9 sharp needle inserted. If you don’t have one, you can use a corsage pin for the same purpose. Don’t buy one for class, wait until you see the options that are specific for lace makers; Portable light and extension cord or extra batteries; Magnifier if you usually need one for needlework