Category: Historical

7/8/2022 0 Comments

Devon Trolly Lace - Patterns and Lace for Queen Victoria by Carol McFadzean

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.

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

0 Comments

7/8/2022 0 Comments

Mrs Treadwin Victorian Lacemaker Designer and Historian by Carol McFadzean

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Carol McFadzean (1 Jan. 2009)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0954768329
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0954768324

Mrs Treadwin Victorian Lacemaker Designer and Historian by Carol McFadzean
Carol has a wonderful way of bringing historical documents, accounts and people's history to life. Her book on Sidmouth lace is great example of this.

Many of the designers and dealers linked to the East Midlands were male, however Devon, during the same period, was fortunate enough to have a number of female designers and dealers.

In a time and world where women lacemakers were often nameless and workers' associations were springing up to help them get their lace to market, for Devon to have so many prominent female influencers was remarkable.

Charlotte Treadwin was one of these who understood and promoted the Devon laces worldwide and was rewarded with Royal Patronage.

In her book, Carol McFadzean builds up a wonderful picture of the work that Mrs Treadwin did along with her legacy.

What works well?

The narration in this book is very interesting and the accompanying photographs bring Mrs Treadwin to life.
A few of the pieces have also been supplied as prickings, these include both Honiton designs and Devon Trolly lace

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is available from a number of Devon Museums. In addition, the Author also has some copies still available and you can contact Carol via the Devon Lace Teachers

0 Comments

28/7/2022 0 Comments

Sidmouth's Lace - Carol McFadzean

Publisher : Sid Vale Association
ISBN : 9780993481413

Sidmouth's Lace by Carol McFadzean
the luxury fabric that hides a world of poverty, distress and power

It's easy to think of Honiton as being the only place that lace was made in Devon. The town that gave it's name to fine lace motifs was not the only producer of this type of lace and in fact, both bobbin and needle laces were made throughout the East Devon area.

Carol takes the reader through the history of Devon lace, including the 'Seven Laces of Devon'; Honiton, Devon Trolly lace, Woodbury Greek lace, Colyton Chromatic lace, Kerswell lace, Branscomb Point and Honiton Point.

Building on this, she explores lacemaking in the area, how it was taught and the equipment use.

However, the lacemakers who were producing lace needed a way sell their lace and Carol explores the Sidmouth Lace Dealers & Manufacturers who retailed lace and provided a market for the makers to reach their buyers.

Devon lace has, for a long time been connected with Royal gifts and there is listing of notable lace that was gifted.

All in all, this is one of those books you will devour in one go and then put on your bedside table so you can dip in and longinly look at the photos and re-read chapters.

What works well?

This book is sumptuously illustrated throughout with black & white and colour photos of lace and artefacts.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is in print and available from the Sidmouth Museum.

0 Comments

23/7/2022 0 Comments

Folio of Bobbin Lace Design - Joan Duckworth

Publisher : Self Published (1981)
Reprinted : D J Hornsby (1982)

Folio of Bobbin Lace Design by Joan Duckworth
As Joan Duckworth says in her introduction to this book:

"It will be noted that the quality of the designs illustrated is variable. A few of them may be well be described as 'rough and inaccurate'. It has been the aim of the publisher to illustrate these as found, emphasising the difference between designers' prickings ... And the cottager's own designs.'

Although the patterns here are taken straight from rubbings of the original parchments, they have a wonderful feel of being connected to the workers who originally used them.

The final pricking #25 'oak' flounce, is the same pattern as shown in plate 17 of Thomas Wrights, Romance of the Lace Pillow.

No instructions on how to work the lace is included with the prickings so a knowledge of lacemaking and the styles included is needed.

Patterns cover both Bedfordshire and Bucks Point lace

What works well?

The origins of each of the prickings has been added to the pricking details.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

These are direct copies of original prickings and may need to be trued up prior to usage.
This book is out of print

0 Comments

11/3/2021 0 Comments

Le Pompe, 1559 by Santina M Levey and Patricia C Payne

Publisher : Ruth Bean Publishers; First Edition (1 Sept. 1983)
ISBN-10 : 0903585162
ISBN-13 : 978-0903585163

Le Pompe, 1559 by Santina M Levey and Patricia C Payne
Subtitle - Patterns for Venetian bobbin lace
Across the lace world, the book Le Pompe is mentioned in hushed, reverential tones. This books seen as one of the historical root publications of lacemaking and was referenced by a number of writers at the turn of the 19th / 20th centure.

The patterns have a heavy look to them, as though they were drawn using marker pen, but this due to the book being printed using woodblock. Whilst to today's lacemaker, Venetian bobbin lace looks and feels like a cross between Milanese and Bedfordshire with a hint of Idrija and Russian.

This book is split into sections:

Facsimile of the 1559 book with an introduction by Santina M Levey
Facsimile of a selection of pages from the 1560 edition
Technical Section by Patricia Payne
Glossary
How to make your own prickings.

What works well?

The text is clear and the black and white illustrations (by Bridget M Cook) / photo work well.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

A number of the patterns need to be enlarged; the percentage for doing this is clearly stated on the prickings.
This book is currently out of print, however, occasionally second hand copies do appear. Check closely though, at the price being asked.

0 Comments

6/2/2021 0 Comments

Devon Trolly Lace - Carol McFadzean

Publisher : Carol McFadzean; First Edition (26 Jun. 2004)
ISBN-10 : 0954768302
ISBN-13 : 978-0954768300

Devon Trolly Lace by Carol McFadzean
Subtitled : The lost lace of the East Devon Coast
Carol McFadzean's book throws new light on one of Devon's great laces that has lost its place in current memory to its more well known cousin, Honiton.

Its name comes from the Flemish Tolle Kant - which you can read more about here

Devon Trolly lace has a look and feel that is similar to bucks point. And with its origins being in the Flemish laces, then this isn't surprising.

This book not only contains 40 redrafted patterns, but describes the very interesting history of this lace.

A knowledge of lacemaking is assumed so this is a great book for the confident beginner who wants to branch out in their lacemaking.

Carol is also the author of two other books:

Devon Trolly Lace Patterns and Lace for Queen Victoria; 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

0 Comments

6/2/2021 0 Comments

Malmesbury Lace by - Joan Blanchard

Publisher : Batsford Ltd; First Edition (5 Aug. 1990)
ISBN-10 : 0713466154
ISBN-13 : 978-0713466157

Malmesbury Lace by Joan Blanchard
My husband's Great Grandmother was head hunted in the 1880s by the Malmsbury Silk Mill and moved from her home in Essex to the small Wiltshire town.

By the time the photo, on the back of this book was taken of the lace school in 1907, she had been managing the production of fine silk in the town for nearly 20 years.

Malmsbury lace, obviously holds a special place in my heart because of this.

Malmsbury is a sister lace to the other Wiltshire lace; Downton

What works well?

The lace is clearly illustrated with black and white photos.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

The Honiton style piece on the front cover is NOT included in this book
This book is out of print, but readily available on online book sellers, eBay and through lace suppliers

0 Comments

6/2/2021 0 Comments

Bobbin lace jewellery and accessories II by Lia Looga

Publisher : Tartu 2014
ISBN : 978-9949-33-815-3

Bobbin lace jewellery and accessories II by Lia Looga
The first half of this book is filled with full colour photos of the lace which really enhances this book.

There are two pages, in each language, with advice on making the patterns, however this is aimed at adventurous beginner.

This book builds on Lia's previous book

What works well?

The book is sumptuously illustrated throughout with colour photographs of the lace, including patterns for traditional Estonian belt patterns

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is currently in print and available from lace suppliers

0 Comments

31/1/2021 0 Comments

Gozo Lace Supplement - Consiglia Azzopardi

Publisher : Self Published

Gozo Lace Supplement by Consiglia Azzopardi
This is a supplement to Consiglia's Gozo Lace: An Introduction to Lace Making in the Maltese Islands

Although we talk in terms of Maltese lace, Gozo is the centre for lace making in the islands and Consiglia is one of the main champions.

Similar in construction to Bedfordshire lace, the group of laces are often called Beds / Maltese.

The key difference between Maltese lace and Bedfordshire is the inclusion of the iconic Maltese Cross in many of the designs.

Focusing firstly on the history of the lace, this book goes on to take you through different patterns to learn the techniques.

Consiglia has also produced a book of historical lace patterns by Dun Guzepp Diacono and the book that this is a supplement to.

What works well?

This slim volume contains only patterns and no techniques

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book is out of print, however, it is possible to obtain copies from the author

0 Comments

31/1/2021 0 Comments

GOZO LACE - A Selection of Bobbin Lace Patterns Designed by Dun Guzepp Diacono (1847-1924) - Consiglia Azzopardi

Publisher : C. Azzopardi (1 Jan. 1998)
ISBN-10 : 9990998213
ISBN-13 : 978-9990998214

GOZO LACE - A Selection of Bobbin Lace Patterns Designed by Dun Guzepp Diacono (1847-1924) by Consiglia Azzopardi
Consiglia came across the work of Dun Diacono whilst undertaking her Masters in Lace at the University of Malta.

Dun Diacono established Gozo as the centre for lace making in the islands. He founded the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and established the Casa Industriale as the source of the lacemaking industry.

Dun Diacono can be credited as the father of Maltese Lace as it was his designs that moved the lacemakers away from the imported Genoese designs and to the now iconic Maltese Lace that we are familiar with.

Consiglia has also produced a book of the techniques of Gozo lace and a supplement to that volume.

What works well?

Beautifully illustrated with photos of Dun Diacono's origial drawings, this book also has trued patterns

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

This book should be provided with an envelope of prickings for the patterns in the book; printed on green card - check that these are with the book when it is purchased
This book is out of print, however, it is possible to obtain copies from the author

0 Comments

<<Previous

YOUR CART

Book Blog

Devon Trolly Lace - Patterns and Lace for Queen Victoria by Carol McFadzean

Mrs Treadwin Victorian Lacemaker Designer and Historian by Carol McFadzean

Sidmouth's Lace - Carol McFadzean

Folio of Bobbin Lace Design - Joan Duckworth

Le Pompe, 1559 by Santina M Levey and Patricia C Payne

Devon Trolly Lace - Carol McFadzean

Malmesbury Lace by - Joan Blanchard

Bobbin lace jewellery and accessories II by Lia Looga

Gozo Lace Supplement - Consiglia Azzopardi

GOZO LACE - A Selection of Bobbin Lace Patterns Designed by Dun Guzepp Diacono (1847-1924) - Consiglia Azzopardi

I'm the lace bee and these are my books

Categories

Archives