Lacemaking & Tatting

Lacemaking & Tatting

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A History of Lace
Mrs Bury Palliser
E P Publishing 1982

Reprinted from the 1902 edition, revised and enlarged by M. Jourdain and Alice Dryden
762 pages, including 266 illustrations
This is a classic and comprehensive work on this craft, which can, in the finest examples, justly be described as a unique art form.

After introductory chapters on the subject in general, the book goes on to describe the development of the art over many centuries and throughout Europe, from Russia to Ireland. The many illustrations are an integral part of the narrative; they not only show the detailed points of technique, but also include many contemporary portraits in which elaborate lace is seen in context as part of the costume of the period.

A book of great interest to the general reader, it will be an inspiration to the adventurous needleperson, and equally a fascinating and invaluable source book for the collector and the discriminating visitor to the stately home and museum.

4to. Minor bumps to boards, otherwise Fine in a Fine wrapper. Reprinted from the 4th edition 1902. 1960 gms £37.00

Filet Lace Patterns
Pauline Knight
B T Batsford 1st 1990

Filet lace, or Lacis, is the traditional use of embroidery and darning stitches on a net ground. Since its full-flowering development in Europe during the Middle Ages there have been times when it was popular in all sections of society as well as periods when the art and craft has been driven underground by swings of fashion.
In this book, Pauline Knight aims to bring Filet lace directly to a wider audience and pass on her knowledge of the skills involved — in fact they require few tools and materials and quickly reward the novice.
The background to the modern-day inheritance of design and technique is followed up by instructions on basic methods with worked examples and step-by-step explanations of problems to be encountered and solved.
The main body of the book presents over 80 patterns for the home lacemaker to work and develop, some dating from the Italian Renaissance and pre-Revolutionary France. These are followed by chapters on freehand design techniques and tips on finishing and mounting worked pieces. Pauline Knight also illuminates the variants of Filet — Filet Guipure and Filet Richelieu.
With over 100 photographs, working diagrams and line illustrations — many unpublished and from rare sources — this should be an irresistible book for all those interested in extending their lacemaking repertoire.
169 photographs and line illustrations

4to. Fine in a Fine wrapper. 675 gms £16.50

Old Lace - A Handbook for Collectors
Margaret Jourdain
B T Batsford 1st thus 1988

First published in 1908, written by one of the editors of Mrs Bury- Palliser's History of Lace, this is a particularly well-balanced study of old lace.
The author traces the development of lace from an early embroidery technique to its main branches in needle lace and bobbin lace. The book is remarkable in its readiness to tackle original source material, and in several cases the author was able to correct errors which had crept into earlier works and become fossilized through repetition.
The book is organised in chronological order of development in the chief lacemaking areas. In the first chapters on lace and cutwork, Mrs Jourdain produces evidence that needle laces were being made at a much earlier date than is commonly thought. She supports her statements with references to early documents and even frescos showing examples of cutwork and needlepoint fillings.
She moves on to deal with the gradual spread of both lace forms, giving a full description of each regional variety. Each new type is well documented and illustrated by clear photographs of examples from collections, many of which have been dispersed long since and so are no longer available for study.
In the chapters devoted to English laces, there is much helpful information about the dominant types, but the author also deals with the lesser known areas of lacemaking, such as Sherborne in Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Clear examples of some of our 'lost' laces are shown - for instance, three pieces of Ripon lace are illustrated.
This book is a valuable companion for both the collector and the lacemaker.

4to, 121 pages. Sunning + very slight staining to dustwrapper, gold titling + device to front board + spine. Facsimile of original 1908 edition. Fine in a VG+ wrapper. 985 gms £22.00

The Technique of Bucks Point Lace
Pamela Nottingham
B T Batsford 1st 1981

Bucks point is the Queen of English laces and is one of the most attractive and intricate of bobbin laces. In this, her third lacemaking book, Pamela Nottingham gives a comprehensive guide on how to work this particular form of lace.

She clarifies and consolidates the basic techniques of this traditionally English Craft and explains the use of gimp threads and grounds. One feature of the book is the inclusion of instructions for the construction and working of corners for edgings, and there is a full description of the methods of making prickings to a specific shape and working the lace.

Advice is given on the working of elaborate patterns, with 16 different fillings, many not seen in print before. There are 97 prickings ready for use and a further 36 draft patterns that can be extended to edgings or adapted for a particular purpose. There are almost 200 further illustrations; diagrams to aid the working processes, and photographs to illustrate this beautiful lace. This book is the first of its kind, and will prove invaluable to all those with a real interest in working lace.

4to. Minor bumps + tiny indent to boards, minor sunning to dustwrapper spine, ex libris plate to front free endpaper, otherwise VG++ in a VG++ wrapper. 650 gms £35.00

Handmade Lace & Patterns
Annette Feldman
Harper & Row 1st 1975

Lace-making is a craft that is just beginning to be popular again. There is little contemporary material on making lace, and few new, good and complete books have been available. This fascinating, picture-filled volume is unique in that it describes lace and lace-making through the ages: the old and exquisite as well as the modern and easier-to-make.
In Part I, "The Story of Lace," the author traces the primitive householder's experiments with the knotting and netting of several strands of coarse natural fiber to the final accomplishment, centuries later, of exquisitely fine needlepoint and bobbin laces. Methods of making filet, drawnwork, and cutwork are described and pictured, as well as those for needlerun pieces and the beautiful Carrickmacross of Ireland. There are stories of how early Europeans and their neighbors enjoyed the addition of decorative finery to their drab clothes; how the clergy found the white, airy purity of the texture of lace symbolic to the beauty and spirit of God; how Renaissance noblemen vied for possession of it as a status symbol; and how Napoleon, that fearsome warrior, loved delicate lace with a passion. A chapter on "Lace-Making Around the World" tells of the magnificent laces of Italy, Flanders, France, England, and Ireland.

Part II, the longer section, tells how to make today's beautiful laces. The chapters include: "Edgings;' "Insertions;' and "Motifs"; "Home Decor" -centerpieces, tablecloths, bedspreads, etc.: "Fashion," with numerous suggestions for women's
garments in many different sizes; "Crochet Directions"; "Hairpin Lace Directions"; "Knitting Directions"; and "Tatting Directions:' All of these chapters have photographs and instructive drawings and detailed information about the needles, crochet hooks, shuttles, etc., required.

This book is clearly written and illustrated and beautifully designed, which should help popularize these most satisfying crafts. Annette Feldman is an experienced and expert needlewoman.

4to. Spotting to top & bottom edges of boards + inside dustwrapper, spotting to foredge, otherwise VG/VG 930 gms £7.50

The Basic Book of Macrame and Tatting
Octopus 1st 1973

The fascinating craft of macrame, so completely in keeping with the tastes
and trends of today, is enjoying wide-spread popularity. This book provides a complete illustrated introduction to the craft.
Follow the instructions and learn how to make decorative and practical articles
from string, rug wool and beads.
This book also includes an entire section on the traditionally beautiful craft of tatting. There are fully illustrated instructions and seventeen beautiful lacelike designs to make for the home and for gifts.
Instructions and design details fully illustrated in black and white.
32 colour photographs.

4to. Decorative boards, very minor creasing to the dustwrapper, otherwise Fine in a VG++ wrapper. 500 gms £7.50