Bobbin Lace in Photographs by Cynthia Voysey
This book was the culmination of Cynthia's love of bobbin lace and photography.

The pictures are of excellent quality and show bobbin lace through the narrative of images.  The photos are arranged in chronological order of the lace development.

If you are looking for more of a commentary or written history then I would recommend The History of Lace by Margaret Simeon.

What works well?

• This book illustrated throughout with high quality black and white photographs 

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

• This is a visual guide to lace with no commentary, only short sentences detailing the type of lace and period.
• This book is out of print, but is often available second hand.

Hausdrachen by Ulrike Lohr
​From chameleon to dragons via the Chinese word for Dragon, this is a dragon lover's idea of heaven.

​Not for the faint hearted, these are intermediate and above level patterns which have notes supplied but not full instructions.

Duchess by Jose van Pamelen-Hagenaars
20 Kantklospatronen
​Aimed at adventurous and advance lacemakers, this book has clear diagrams and explanations for many of the designs. 

What works well?

• Although in Dutch, there is a section in the book with translation of terms into English and French

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

• The pattern on the front is not included in the book
• Although this pack is printed in Dutch, translating it should not be an issue - read my post on translations
• ​This book is currently out of print, but occasionally appears on eBay.

Bloemenboeket by Kumiko Nakazaki
​This is a folder of 10 duchess / withof lace patterns.

Each pattern is provided in two ways - as a pricking and line version.  The finished lace is shown as a whole piece (with the size reduced) and a pa partial piece full size

What works well?

• The full scale photos are done with high definition and give exceptional clarity for the lace.

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

• These patterns are aimed at advanced lacemakers as there are no working diagrams or instructions included.
• ​This book is currently out of print.

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.

Withof Duchess Lace by Trude v.d. Heijden-Biemans, Yvonne Scheele-Kerkhof & Puck Smelter-Hoekstra
Although by the same authors as Withof lace, this book is not as full of techniques ad patters as their other book.

However, the patterns in the book are also in the larger Withof lace book

​The book is in Dutch.

What works well?

• The line drawings are complimented by the text

Anything that we need to take into consideration?

• Although this pack is printed in Dutch, translating it should not be an issue - read my post on translations
• This book is currently out of print, it is occasionally available on eBay and is worth buying when you see it.

Withof Lace by Trude v.d. Heijden-Biemans, Yvonne Scheele-Kerkhof & Puck Smelter-Hoekstra
Although 50 Dutch Bobbin Lace Patterns is touted as a rewriting of this book, this is still probably the main book of Withof that is available internationally.

With techniques and 92 patterns, this book is a treasure trove of Withof lace.

50 Dutch Bobbin Lace Patterns : Withof & Duchess by Yvonne Scheele-Kerkhof
Closely related to Honiton lace, Withof and Duchess lace is a great next step.

Although this book was touted as a revised volume of Withof Lace, it is not and Withof Lace has 92 patterns within it.

The book is divided into two sections; techniques and 50 patterns.

With clear photographs and line drawings this book takes you through the key steps to learn this lace.  It also includes suggestions for each of the patterns on adaptation.