Better Late Than Never...!
Better Late Than Never...!
Saturday, 27 February 2021
Well, it is to be hoped that this photo was worth waiting for?!
It’s been a busy month and until very recently, rather a dark one......which, as we all know too well, isn’t overly helpful when making lace*, especially if the lunacy involves the finest of Floss Silks** in dark colours.
So, to return to the latest photo of The Progress so Far, for which sharp powers of observation will be useful:
I’m working on the last section of this particular element of the design (there will be two more ‘trees’ to complete the forest trio, with other elements already planned in the design pipeline).
Yes, there are some large ‘holes’ in this piece! But, never fear, they are all part of the design and, besides which, Owl needs the spaces to fly through at night!
The photo illustrates how, having started the section from two opposing sides, the two sections will be ‘woven’, each through the other, continuing on their downward journey to the base of the tree.
Those viewing with keen observation, will notice how the left side of the incomplete section has been first worked, using the ‘scroll method’*** to enable the wide space to be filled without a great deal of bulk.
The next step will be to weave the threads from the left side, in cloth stitch, through the threads from the right side, making adjustments where and when required as the colours and working methods dictate, then to continue downwards to invisibly join the previously worked section at the base of the tree.
All should become clear when perusing next month’s Blog...!
However, one element that should have already become clear by now, in reading these words of doubtful wisdom, is that there is no absolute ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way of working this pattern.
So long as The Lacemaker feels that the end goal, indeed the very Holy Grail of the Lace, has been achieved.....and that the lace doesn’t fall like confetti when the pins have been removed, then it should be considered a success......maybe even a Triumph of Mind over Matter!
*One does SO suffer for One’s art......
**Pipers Floss Silks
***Fully described in ‘Milanese Lace’, An Introduction by Patricia Read and Lucy Kincaid.
Published by BT Batsford 1988. ISBN 0-7134-5707-4