Does anyone make their own lace?

[MonsteraAddict]

I've been watching some videos of people making lace; it's fascinating.
I would love to learn to make something so beautiful and intricate but wondered if any of the crafters on here do this. How did you get into it? How did you learn it snd would you recommend it? 😊

I assume you mean bobbin lace - there are many types of lace including needle lace and crochet lace.
I learned at primary school because I had a teacher who ran lace club, then I picked it up again as an adult from books.
It’s no harder than any other craft. It can look very impressive with multiple bobbins but you use them in groups so it’s not as hard as it looks.
It is a craft that takes your full attention though, it’s not one you can do on the sofa in front of the tv like knitting.
As crafts go it’s nice and cheap- I learned to make my own pillow with a cake board as a base, and you can get plastic bobbins to begin with, or nicer ones second hand easily, and the thread is cheap as you don’t get through much.

Wonderful! Yes- I think bobbin lace is what I mean. It looks so delicate and to create it is like a little piece of history.

I know someone through another hobby group who makes the most amazing bobbin lace. It takes far more concentration than I can muster, though. Sadly, it's also dying as a skill because there are so few people who can do it to a high standard and pass their skills along.

This looks like a good introduction
Bobbin lace – a beginner’s guide to beginning! – lovestoswatch https://share.google/1XTddJolSiAlVOljn

Museum | The Lace Guild | England This provides lots of information and links. There are lace clubs and courses around the country. Just google lacemaking courses and your location and it should come up with something. If not if you can provide a rough location I can probably find a course or group nearish to you.

I tried as a child, and have just come back to it so I am very much a beginner. It takes a lot of time to make - and a lot of time to prepare before you can start! I find I can have the TV on but not with something that takes much concentration - I need to watch every movement and check back with the instructions regularly. But it is very satisfying and I love the feeling of continuing an old skill. If you are interested, I found lots of equipment for sale second hand. Sadly mostly, I suspect, from people who can no longer see enough or who have inherited the equipment from family members. I have found sellers seemed genuinely delighted to sell to someone who is interested and wants to learn. Have a look for basic sets with a pillow and bobbins, and maybe some books. I photocopy the patterns as you need to prepare prickings: these are essentially pattern cards with prepunched holes for the pins. Lace pins are brass and bend very easily, so these holes are vital. I find trying to work out what threads I need is very complicated but I am slowly making lists and building up a collection based on the next few patterns I want to make. You tube is great for learning. I wish this had been around when I first tried: I realise I was making very heavy weather of preparing bobbins and the hitch knot is so much easier when you can see someone demonstrating. I have just made some strips for my mum for Christmas, and she was delighted. They represent time and love, and were the best thing I gave her this year.
I'm going to make some more as gifts for friends who read actual books.

Thank you! I will start some research and see where is near to me. I've never done a class before but I am excited to try it. Thank you 💐

Thank you - I will certainly buy second hand. It seems to be a great way to keep the skill alive and keep breathing life into the craft. 😍

My mum did - she did an evening class initially and then just followed the books. She made the most beautiful things, including 6m of silk lace for the edge of my wedding veil

Oh my! 6m?! That must have taken hundreds of hours. How very special.

I make bobbin lace. Well, mainly I used to, now in my 60s, I tend to be a bobbin collector... like with any crafts, the little cute bits drag you in!

My Dh bought me a Dryad starters kit. Was fun, made a collar and a few paperweights/coasters/bookmarks.

I can- but haven’t for a long time. There’s only 3 stitches- but it’s following the pattern that gets complicated.
A relative of mine is a lace teacher- so I really should start again!