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  • Makers & Painters
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    • Chris Parsons
    • Chrisken
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    • Dee Carver
    • Heather Power
    • Janet Retter
    • Le Tjevoli
    • Loricraft
    • Matthew Hester
    • Margaret Wall
    • Sallie Reason
    • Sarah Jones
    • Tuffnel Glass
    • Winslow Bobbins
    • Unknown Makers
  • Want To Make Lace?
    • Choosing a Pillow
    • Bobbins >
      • Spangling
    • Tools, notions and beads >
      • Boxes and Bits
      • Bruges - chocolate and lace
  • Book Blog
  • Who is the LaceBee
    • My lace >
      • big projects
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    • Where shall we go next?
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The Book Blog

22/2/2021 0 Comments

Bedfordshire Lace - Jean Leader

Publisher : The Crowood Press Ltd (22 Feb. 2021)
ISBN-10 : 1785008188
ISBN-13 : 978-1785008184
Bedfordshire Lace by Jean Leader
​As always, Jean has produced clear, easy to read text that compliments the colour diagrams and photos.

Although designed to stand alone, this would make a fantastic follow up book to Jean's Introduction to Bedfordshire Lace, published by the Lace Guild.

The techniques are grouped at the beginning of the book so that they are easily referenced. 

The 26 patterns take you from a very simple plaited circle, with picots through learning leaves and tallies to floral bucks.

Included in the book are the three butterflies on the front cover along with 3 collar patterns.

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What works well?
  • Jean uses colour work at the start of the book to create interesting patterns but also to demonstrate the way that the stitches work through the trails.
  • Jean shows how to place large patterns onto block pillows in order to make them
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 in print and available from online sellers and lace suppliers.
0 Comments

15/2/2021 0 Comments

February 15th, 2021

Publisher : Batsford Ltd; First Edition (5 Mar. 1989)
ISBN-10 : 0713456299
ISBN-13 : 978-0713456295
Duchess Lace : An Introduction by Jane Newble-de Graaf
Often mentioned in the same breath as Withof, Duchess Lace is named after Marie Henriette, Duchess of Brabant, who married the future King Leopold III of Belgium in 1853. 

​As the author points out, because this lace was in vogue until the early 1900s, it often appears as antique pieces which makes it accessible to buy actual pieces for study and reproduction.

For me, Duchess lace makes a nice bridge between Bruges Flower Lace and Honiton / Withof as it has similar techniques to Bruges, but is more delicate, which can then be a gateway into the finer and smaller laces of Honiton and Withof.

Jane takes you through the history and techniques of the lace along with discussion and help on designing your own pieces.
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What works well?
  • The lace on the front cover is included in the book in the section on designing
  • The contains lots of large scale drawings and diagrams which really work well with the text on the techniques.
​ Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book is currently out of print, but is often available on from online booksellers and eBay
0 Comments

14/2/2021 0 Comments

Royal Honiton Lace by Elsie Luxton - Yusai Fukyama

Publisher : Batsford Ltd; 1st Edition (1 Aug. 1988)
ISBN-10 : 0713457643
ISBN-13 : 978-0713457643
Royal Honiton Lace by Elsie Luxton and Yusai Fukyama
With unprecedented access to the Royal Lace collection this book shows the history of Honiton lace through it's Royal connections and support.

Access was given to the Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace and also the Royal Archives. 

The cover shows the Honiton Lace covered Christening gown originally made for Queen Victoria and used up until Prince Williams christening.
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What works well?
  • The photos included in this book give access to the Royal lace that is normally unavailable for viewing
​ Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This is a history and appreciation of the Royal Lace and not a book of patterns
  • This book is currently out of print, but is often available on from online booksellers and occasionally on eBay
0 Comments

14/2/2021 0 Comments

The Technique of Tonder Lace - Inge Skovgaard

The Technique of Tonder Lace by Inge Skovgaard
At first glance, Toner lace looks very similar to Bucks Points and in fact, it has the look and feel of Bucks, however, the patterns are unique to this area of Denmark and developed independently.

​Tonder is a great lace to get into after having worked on Bucks Point.

The book covers the history of Danish lace, along with the techniques of Tonder and finally some key patterns to work through with clear diagrams, photos and explanations.
What works well?
  • The clear line drawings, coupled with the black and white photography really enhance the instructions and techniques in this book
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book is currently out of print, it is occasionally available on eBay and is worth buying when you see it.
Picture
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
Picture
Devon Trolly lace has the 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 really interesting history of this lace.
What works well?
  • The history that is explained in this book really augments the patterns meaning
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • The book has very little guidance in it so this definitely a book for the adventurous beginner
  • 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

Malmsbury Lace by - Joan Blachard

Publisher : Batsford Ltd; First Edition (5 Aug. 1990)
ISBN-10 : 0713466154
ISBN-13 : 978-0713466157
Malmsbury Lace by Joan Blachard
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
Picture
Picture
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

31/1/2021 0 Comments

Discover: Delapre Abby in Lace - Jackie Poulter

Publisher : Jackie Poulter (19 June 2019)
ISBN-10 : 1916136702
ISBN-13 : 978-1916136700
Discover: Delapre Abby in Lace by Jackie Poulter
In the summer of 2019, Delapre Abbey, in Northampton, hosted The Lace Guild's Triennial Exhibition with lace inspired by the Abbey's architecture.

This book is aimed at the intermediate to advanced lacemaker who is familiar with the techniques of torchon, Bedfordshire, Milanese and Bucks Point lacemaking.

Picture
What works well?
  • Including designs by Jennifer MacPherson and Louise West, this book is not just beautiful with photos and designs, but inspiration as to how to interpret your surroundings in lace.
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book available from Roseground, Louise West or from the author
This book has been reviewed on the lace gumnuts site
The result of a UK Lace Guild Triennial Lace Competition and exhibition in Northampton’s Delapre Abbey.  Several lacemakers met at the Abbey, took photos of various features, and designed laces of all types based on those features.  Types of lace include Torchon, Milanese, Bedfordshire, Bucks Point, Needlelace and tatting, 24 patterns in all.

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.
Picture
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

31/1/2021 0 Comments

Gozo Lace: An Introduction to Lace Making in the Maltese Islands - Consiglia Azzopardi

Publisher : C. Azzopardi (1 Jan. 1999)
ISBN-10 : 9990998205
ISBN-13 : 978-9990998207
Gozo Lace: An Introduction to Lace Making in the Maltese Islands by Consiglia Azzopardi
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 a supplement to this volume.
Picture
What works well?
  • Not only does this cover the history and techniques, but the patterns take you through the techniques to learn Gozo Lace.
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

30/1/2021 0 Comments

Lace Villages by Liz Bartlett

Publisher : Arima Publishing; 2nd REVISED EDITION (28 Nov. 2006)
ISBN-10 : 1845491556
ISBN-13 : 978-1845491550
Lace Villages by Liz Bartlett
Whether you are interested in history, Bedfordshire lace or the Buckingham Villages, this book is such a wonderful book.

Liz takes you on a journey through each of the villages and brings their history and lacemaking to life.

Another of my books that I like to snuggle up with and immerse myself in, like The Lavendon Collection.
Picture
What works well?
  • ​This book is illustrated throughout with black and white photos along with a scattering patterns from the author's collection, including a newly redrafted corner for the Stratford butterfly traditional pattern.
Anything that we need to take into consideration?
  • This book is available through online booksellers as a print on demand.
0 Comments
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    I'm the lace bee and these are my books

    With currently over 300 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

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

    Categories

    All Advanced Alex Stillwell Australian Barbara Underwood Bedfordshire Beginner Bobbins Bridget Cook Bruges Lace Bucks Point Building Butterfly Christine Springett Christmas Cluny Danish Design Duchess Dutch Easter Elywn Kenn English Estonian Expert Flemish Flowers French Geraldine Stott German Gilian Dye Gozo / Malta Guipure Historical History Honiton Instruction Intermediate Italian Jane Lewis Jewellery Louise West Milanese Lace Miniature Mixed Lace Multilingual Needle Lace Non Bobbin Lace Pam Nottingham Pat Perryman Pat Read Patterns Pricking Reference Russian Lace Sandi Woods Scarves Spanish Stitches Tape Lace Techniques Tonder Torchon Ulrike Voelcker Wedding Withof

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