Needlelace:
Designs and Techniques, Classic and Contemporary

The book assumes a basic understanding of how needlelace is made and the equipment needed to produce it.  The book is organized to teach a selection of stitches used in three traditional needlelace styles, with tips and step-by-step written instructions on how to complete a beginner project in each style.  In addition, there is a chapter devoted to making scrolls and decorative fillings.

Information

History and traditional components of Gros Point de Venise, Hollie Point and Point de Gaze needlelace designs.

Technical information and Technique

Joining new threads as needed, Gros Point de Venise (Corded Brussels stitch, Double Brussels stitch, Pea stitch, small diamonds, ring cordonnette, Venetian picots, zigzag loops, couronnes, flower couronnes); Hollie Point (English stitch, Point d’Espagne stitch, Hollie stitch, creating and reading designs on graph paper); Point de Gaze (twisted bars, small wheels, working couronnes directly onto the lace, raised spots, raised petals, rosebud knots, central rays); Scrolls (daisy wheels, rosebud wheels, scalloped edges, spider web wheels, grid fillings, inverted pyramids).

Patterns

Traditional motifs, flower insert, geometric insert, Hollie Point dove, flowers, leaves, a small purse, 3-D flower for bridal shoes, bridal crown, 2 butterfly patterns, 3-D strawberries with leaves, 3-D pea pod with pea flower and leaves, 3-D daffodil bouquet, 3-D gardenia, swan with 3-D wings, additional outline drawings for the reader’s interpretation. 

Photos

Gros Point de Venise cravat, Point de Gaze lappet, Brussels bobbin and needlelace plastron (triangular dress front), Point de Gaze flounce, Point de Gaze collar, Point d’Argentan flounce, Alencon lappet, Aemelia Ars piece, mixed media scenes with needlelace features, hanky corner, Halas lace peacock, Irish Youghal handkerchief.