and so it is progressing!

Still working on my first piece, but it is moving in the right direction.
After today this is where I have left it for now

A tape lace motif

Today I attended my second class and my head is still buzzing - I am amazed at how much I managed, especially as I had to undo most of my first hours work as somehow I managed to miss a pin.
 I had pricked out the pattern and wound my bobbins before arriving so I was ready to start as soon as I was seated and comfortable.
I am currently working with 6 pairs of bobbins and D.M.C. Special dentelles No.80.
the pattern is using cloth stitch and cloth stitch and twist. and I am very proud to say that I have also now completed two 'sewings'
So that is as much techy stuff I can tell you.
this is the result so far.

 

My concern now, is that, as I have stopped for the day - will I work out where I am when I return to it!

An Introduction

Last October I was invited to show some of my wire and bead knitted and crocheted jewellery at a textile fair in the Ancient High House - I am so pleased I did as I stumbled across Jean Withers demonstrating lace making and inviting people to give it a try -  Lace making is something that I have wanted to try for many years so I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity, I sat myself down and added a couple of rows to the sample piece, I could have stayed there all day, I loved it - but I had a stall to man in another part of the building. Later on Jean came and found me at my stall and invited me to attend her group in Stafford.

cloth stitch sample

and this is what I am aiming for

I visited the group before Christmas to meet the ladies and collect a few things with the hope that I might find time to practise before I started - well I can live in hope, but it didn't happen until yesterday - the day before the group, so all I managed was to teach myself how to wind the thread onto bobbins.

my first bobbins wound unaided!

part of my starter pack.

Today was the day when it all started in earnest, for me it was an introduction of the two basic stitches of Torchon Lace making - cloth stitch and half stitch.

This morning was spent doing a practise strip of cloth stitch

and this afternoon I practised half stitch.

What amazed me was the intricate designs ladies who had only been attending the class for a year or so were now tackling and the speed some of the ladies who have had years of experience were moving those bobbins!

My intention is to share my progress or otherwise over the next few years on this blog - lets see where this journey takes me!.