La soffitta del tempo perduto...

....è là , nella mente e nel sogno, dove è possibile recuperare le speranze e le aspettative, dove volere è potere e tutto diviene possibile, dove la fantasia e la creatività non vengono strangolate dai ritmi di una vita frenetica ed il tempo scorre lentamente, dove la mente vola libera senza restrizioni, dove finalmente si è liberi di essere e ci si può rifugiare e prendere un respiro.

The attic of the lost time....is there, in the mind and dreams, where is possible to recover the hopes and the expectations, where what you want is what you can and everything becomes possible, where fantasy and creativity are not strangled from the rhythms of a phrenetic life and time flows slowly, where the mind flyes free with no restrictions, where finally one is free of being and can refuge in and take a breath.

The Pomegranate - PDF instructions available

The Pomegranate - PDF instructions available
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sabato 10 maggio 2014

Bobbin Lace


Why bobbin lace ? Everything started because I'm in search of an appropriated metal trim/ribbon to use for covering the edges of the stumpwork mirror when it will be finished...well still there is a looot of time but I like to do things "in time" :)
I think that the original trim is made using a weaving loom tecnique but when I saw the edgings of the 17th C. English  coifs and jackets that are made in bobbin lace, I thought that maybe was possible to achieve something that could work for my purpose too.
One of the main stitches used in bobbin lace can give a nice trim that I will probably use once I have mastered a bit more the tecnique and found the correct size of metal thread.
Have to say that I'm not interested in bobbin lace in general, just on how to make 17th C edgings because I think it would be  nice to be able to make my own finishes,  just in case ...
Here is my first try for the braid, not perfect at all but I'm starting understanding the method.

Then I tried this motif, which is from  the Nottingham cap in the Middleton Collection. 
The thread used here is not a real metal one, I have used Anchor gold Ophir that was indicated in the book but to be historically correct, it should have been made in 9DRM gilt Tambour which is much more  similar to the old one ...still waiting for it in the mail. 
Starting. I needed to use mini hair clip to avoid the thread unravelling from the bobbins.
And the pillow is self made, velvet very stuffed with vegetal fibres !
Working...
Finished sample, again not perfect as bobbin lace really needs practice.
I have learned the basics stitches here:
and:

The books that have been fundamental are from Gillian Dye:
 
They have the patterns for all the laces shown inside and some instructions.
This is another very interesting one from Rosemary Shepherd but I still not have it:

The most common metal threads to make this laces are 9 DRM silver or gilt Tambour and No.3 silver or gilt smooth passing, all available from Neil at Benton and Johnson in UK.

And the adventure goes on....