Book Blog

10/1/2022 0 Comments

Point Ground Lace - Pam Robinson

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pam Robinson (1984)

Point Ground Lace by Pam Robinson
Pam Robinson is probably best known for her Manual of Bedfordshire Lace.

This self-published book by Pam takes you through each stage of point ground or Bucks point lace. Filled with simple instructions and clear, hand drawn diagrams, this is a real find if you can get a copy.

What works well?

The book is fully illustrated with clear black and white diagrams which complement the instructional text

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is out of print.

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7/1/2022 0 Comments

The History of Lace - Margaret Simeon

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stainer & Bell Ltd; 1st Edition (1 Jun. 1979)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0852494459
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0852494455

The History of Lace by Margaret Simeon
One of the first lace history books published during the late 20th Century lace revival.

With a background in textile design, Margaret Simeon first became interested in lace and its history in 1940 when she discovered some pieces in Red Cross shops across London.

The book contains pieces exclusively from her collection, many of which had not been published previously.

What works well?

Fully illustrated throughout with black and white photographs which works well with the traditional lace
Good glossary of lace terms at the end of the book

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is out of print, but does appear regularly through second book sellers, lace suppliers and eBay.

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13/11/2021 0 Comments

Decorative Braids for Milanese Lace - Patricia Read, Lucy Kincaid & Jane Read

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jane Read (11 Oct. 2021)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1802271473
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1802271478

Decorative Braids for Milanese Lace by Patricia Read, Lucy Kincaid & Jane Read
Pat Read & Lucy Kincaid's Milanese Lace, An Introduction and New Braids and Designs in Milanese Lace have become two of the most indispensable books on Milanese Lace.

As the back cover of this book says, these books have both been out of print for a number of years. So, Jane, Pat's daughter, has brought together the braids from these two books, along with 40 new braids to produce what will soon be seen as the ultimate Milanese braid reference book.

It needs to be noted that this is not a reprint of the two earlier books and as such, only contains the braids. It does not contain any patterns.

As this book has been designed to be an Amazon Print on Demand, it is one of the first lace books to be produced this way. This means that it should be available for a number of years to come and do away with print runs and going out of print.

What works well?

The black and white photos and diagrams clearly show the braid construction and coupled with the clear wording, this makes it easy to follow and recreate these braids.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is published as Amazon print on demand. This means that the book will always be cheaper to buy from Amazon so care should be taken when purchasing from different sources.
This book is available on kindle. Due to the nature of how this book is produced, the kindle version looks exceptionally good and is a good alternative for those who do not want a hard copy of the book.

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29/10/2021 0 Comments

Traditional Lace Making - Sally Johanson

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Van Nostrand Reinhold Inc.,U.S.; First English Edition (1 Aug. 1974)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0442300379
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0442300371

Traditional Lace Making by Sally Johanson
This book was first published in Sweden, in 1964, under the title Knyppling, making this one of the earliest books on lacemaking during the craft revival of the late 20th Century.

This book covers starting bobbin lace with well drawn diagrams:

Tools and materials
First Steps (making lace)
Final Stage
Mounting Lace
Washing Instructions

What works well?

The line drawing diagrams in the book are beautifully executed.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is out of print.

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29/10/2021 0 Comments

Pitseja Virkaten Ja Nyplaten - Eeva-Liisa Kortelhati

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eeva-Liisa Kortelahti 1979
ISBN : 9519915133‎

Pitseja Virkaten Ja Nyplaten by Eeva-Liisa Kortelhati
Lace Crochet and Bobbin

This book contains both crochet and bobbin lace patterns. The patterns are very typical Eeva-Liisa with her graphic style.

This book is aimed at the competent beginner and above.

What works well?

The book is well illustrated throughout with black and white photos
The candle, shown on the front cover, is included in this book

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

Although this book is in Finnish, translating it should not be an issue - read my post on translations
This book is out of print.

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4/10/2021 0 Comments

Fiandra a Tre Paia - Diana Dussi

Publisher‏ : ‎ Barbara Fay Verlag (2019)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3925184074
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3925184079

Fiandra a Tre Paia by Diana Dussi
Fiandra lace originates in Gorizia, in Italy and is very reminicent of Idrija laces with this flowing forms. (This is why I have tagged this book as Idrija in my blog).

This books has 12 beautiful patterns ranging from motifs, edgings and jewellery pieces.

The first half of the book is dedicated to learning the technique with step by step photos showing the techniques.

Each of the languages are shown highliged in different colours:

Italian - green
German - purple
English - orange

What works well?

The step by step guide to the first practice piece in the book are illustrated throughout with colour photos and for the more intricate elements, colour diagrams.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is out of print, but is widely available through both lace suppliers and lace book shops.

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29/9/2021 0 Comments

Peter's Lace - Peter Sorensen

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Akacia (1 Jun. 2005)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8778470870
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8778470874

Peter's Lace by Peter Sorensen
This book is a selection of interesting large lace patterns using Torchon to create runners and mats.

All of the runners are created by working down one side then back up the other making sewings onto the initial side.

These patterns are aimed at the adventurous beginner to the intermediate lace maker

What works well?

The braids in the book are beautifully explained with both line drawings and ICC coloured diagrams. The use of coloured sections in the diagrams, to show how the braids are made in sections really work well.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

A number of the patterns need to be enlarged on a photocopier prior to pricking
This book is out of print and occasionally comes up on second hand sites or eBay.

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29/9/2021 0 Comments

75 Quick & Easy Bobbin Lace Patterns -Veronica Sorenson

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Batsford Ltd; First Edition (30 May 1998)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780713481136
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0713481136

75 Quick & Easy Bobbin Lace Patterns by Veronica Sorenson

The idea behind this book was that it should use simple techniques and only a small number of bobbins.

The patterns come with basic information on how to approach the working so this is aimed more at the adventurous beginner with a knowledge of basic techniques

What works well?

All of the patterns on the front and back cover are included in the book
The book is filled with clear diagrams and is multi-lingual

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is available on kindle but care should be taken to ensure that you are able to print the patterns out at the correct size.
This book is out of print and occasionally comes up on second hand sites or eBay.

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29/9/2021 0 Comments

A Wider View - Barry Biggins

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenhill Lace School (1 Jan. 1995)

A Wider View by Barry Biggins
Designs suitable for: Bobbin & Needle Lace, Embroidery & Quilting

Caroline and Barry Biggins were both qualified art teachers and this comes through in both Barry's bobbin painting and their designs in their Honiton lace book - New Patterns in Honiton Lace

This book, self published a few years after their Honiton book shows off Barry's beautiful drawing skills.

What works well?

The drawings are clean and well thought out

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is not a book of patterns, but contains line drawings that could be adapted.
Each drawing comes with a dotted version, but the introduction makes this clear that these are not prickings but suggestions as to dot placements.
This book is currently out of print, but is often available on from online booksellers and on eBay

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18/9/2021 0 Comments

Milanese Lace - Barbara Corbet

Publisher‏ : ‎ Barbar Corbet
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3925184163
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3925184161

Milanese Lace, yesterday and today by Barbara Corbet
Mailänder Spitze - gestern und heute

This is an interesting book and one of the few Milanise lace books that is currently in print and widely available.

The patterns on the cover, including the 'maze' are in the book.

What works well?

The braids in the book are beautifully explained with both line drawings and ICC coloured diagrams. The use of coloured sections in the diagrams, to show how the braid are made in sections really work well.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?