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Book Blog

Techniques used in the East Midlands to make the Footside of Point Ground Lace - Alexandra stillwell

1/7/2025

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Picture
Publisher: Salex (1997)
ISBN-13: 
 ISBN 978-0-9554694-3-5​
Techniques used in the East Midlands to make the Footside of Point Ground Lace by Alexandra Stillwell
This detailed and quietly fascinating study unravels the intricate stitches and twists that comprise the footside of East Midlands Point Ground lace.

Alexandra Stillwell examines 193 antique pieces to demonstrate the significant variation that existed, challenging the notion that there’s only one 'right' way to make Bucks Point.

​From thread weight to stitch type, she traces the small decisions that shaped each piece and gently questions how we label historical lace. Her work reminds us that even in the most delicate edging, there’s evidence of practical choices, working hands and local ways of knowing.

What works well?
  • The line drawings illustrate the techniques well.
Anything that we need to take into consideration? ​
  • ​You can also download this booklet as a pdf for free from Alex's website.

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Techniques used to make Point Ground Lace  in the East Midlands - Alexandra Stillwell

1/7/2025

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Picture
Publisher: Salex (2007)
ISBN-13: 
 ISBN 978-0-9554694-3-5​
Techniques used to make Point Ground Lace  in the East Midlands by Alexandra Stillwell
This book offers a close and careful examination of how Bucks Point lace was actually made in the past, as studied through over 270 antique samples.

Alexandra Stillwell takes us thread by thread through the tiny decisions lacemakers made – from twists and stitches to the weight of the thread – uncovering just how much quiet variation existed behind what we often think of as fixed tradition.

Using microscopes and museum collections, she gently challenges today’s accepted techniques and invites us to reexamine the richness of historical practice. It’s a fascinating reminder that lace, like all crafts, bears the mark of many hands and diverse working methods.

What works well?
  • The line drawings illustrate the techniques well.
Anything that we need to take into consideration? ​
  • ​You can also download this booklet as a pdf for free from Alex's website.

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Bucks Point Rose Insertion - Alexandra Stillwell

1/7/2025

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Picture
Publisher: Self-Published
Bucks Point Rose Insertion​ by Alexandra Stillwell
Alex writes:
'I fell in love with this rose pattern when I saw it in the book 'Romance of the Lace Pillow' by Thomas Wright, Plate 41 and was delighted to be given a pricking for it.  Finally, when I finished my book on Floral Bucks, I decided it was time to indulge myself and make it, only to find that it needed techniques that I had not covered in my book.'

What works well?
  • The booklet is illustrated throughout with clear diagrams that show the techniques that Alex has used in this pattern.
Anything that we need to take into consideration? ​
  • ​You can also download this booklet as a pdf for free from Alex's website.
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Heritage Lace Designs - Louise West

17/9/2022

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Publisher : Louise West (Sep 2022)
ISBN-13 : 978-0995737320
Heritage Lace Designs by Louise West
Inspired by the Erewash Museums Archive
es
In 2021, Louise West was one of 5 resident artists at the Legacy of Lace Exhibition, held at the Erewash Museum.

The exhibition was a celebration of the machine lace made by the workers of Erewash.

During the 10 weeks of the project, Louise produced 11 designs. From that project has sprung a truly unique and wonderful book.
Picture
Louise has taken these outstanding machine laces and designs and create some beautiful bobbin lace patterns in both Bedfordshire and Buckingham laces, with black & white and full colour imagery through out

Louise provides suggestions and some guidance on how to work these patterns and so, are aimed at the adventurous beginner and above.
What works well?
  • Louise takes you through how she started with the inspiration image and then created the lace design.  This is a unique opportunity to see the creative process
  • Julie Varo's history of Frank Woodward and his involvement in the Nottingham Lace Industry adds an extra depth to this book.
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book available direct from the author or other lace suppliers.
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Devon Trolly Lace - Patterns and Lace for Queen Victoria by Carol McFadzean

7/8/2022

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Carol McFadzean; First edition (1 Jan. 2007)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0954768310
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0954768317
Devon Trolly Lace - Patterns and Lace for Queen Victoria by Carol McFadzean
​Building on the work of her first book, Devon Trolly Lace - The lost lace of the East Devon Coast, this focuses on the lace patterns from the sampler, sachet and workbag sent ot Queen Victoria at the beginning of her reign.

The book is in two parts - firstly the history of these pieces and secondly the prickings.
Picture
Carol is also the author of two other books:
  • Devon Trolly Lace - The lost lace of the East Devon Coast; which acts as a companion volume to this book
  • Mrs Treadwin Victorian Lacemaker Designer and Historian; a biography of this interesting historical lace woman.
What works well?
  • The history that is explained in this book really augments the patterns meaning
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book is out of print, but readily available on online book sellers, eBay and through lace suppliers. 
  • The Author also has some copies still available and you can contact Carol via the Devon Lace Teachers
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    I'm the lace bee and these are my books

    With currently over 400 books and about the same number of individual patterns, I have an enviable library.  So here are some of my books.

    ​You can see all of the titles by opening up the archives or by clicking on the categories which I've used to group by authors, language and lace types.  Want to find a particular book?  Scroll to the top of the page, click on the magnifier glass and type in a title or author.

    I am very grateful to the lace gumnuts of Australia for permission to quote and link their reviews to this site.

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  • Home
  • Book Blog
  • The Lace Notes
  • Podcast
  • The Christmas Lace Notes
  • Want To Make Lace?
    • First Things First
    • Choosing a Pillow
    • Bobbins >
      • Bobbins
      • Bobbin Materials
      • Spangling
    • Tools, notions and beads >
      • Boxes and Bits
      • Bruges - chocolate and lace
  • So Who is the lacebee?
  • Every bobbin tells a story
  • My Lace
    • big projects
    • modern
    • traditional
    • miniature
  • Freebies and Whatnots
    • Bits and Pieces
    • Where shall we go next?
    • Local Groups and Support
    • Arachne
  • Contact Me
  • Blog