Bedfordshire Bobbin Lace is characterized by trails with leaves, plaits and picots and a “9-pin” edge.    It is commonly known as “Beds” lace. Class 1 is a bookmark made with plaits, picots and leaves. The connections are made with a windmill crossing. The end is a tail with half hitch knots around the threads. Class 2 is a choice of 2 small circles. They both contain a middle trail. Leaves will “bounce” off the trail.  There are plaits and picots that connect with a windmill crossing. The “9-pin” edge has a point and we will learn how to make that look nice. Class 3 has 2 choices of small circles also.  The larger one has a scallop edge with 2 passives pairs leaving the edge to make the leaves and then returning to join the next scallop. The smaller circle needs an invisible add of 2 pairs  in the trail to make the center flower of leaves.

During the three sessions, beginners will learn basic skills: single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, chain, the Clones knot and how to use packing cord. After this instruction, students will be able to join the "Clones Lace: Month of Motifs" class.

This workshop is for anyone who has learned the basic stitches of Clones Lace covered in the beginner class: single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, chain, the Clones knot and how to use packing cord  We will explore a new motif each week.

GroundForge is a web tool for experimenting with stitches and pair diagrams.  It generates a thread diagram so you can get a rough idea of how the lace will work up.  In this workshop, we will cover the basics of how to use the catalogues of ground patterns, modify cross and twist stitches, create footside patterns for existing grounds and work with grounds not found in the catalogues. You can find out more about the tool and view some examples on the web site:  https://d-bl.github.io/GroundForge/help/index

High intermediate to advanced knowledge of continuous bobbin lace techniques is required for this class. Working knowledge of color-coded working diagrams is expected. The samples require from 22 to 45 pairs of bobbins wound with lace thread plus up to 5 pairs of gimp thread. Most patterns have gimp and picots.  Eight of the samples uses kat-stitch or Paris ground.

The lucet is a lyre-shaped tool used in the 17th and 18th centuries to create custom trim. Learn the graceful art of creating square cords and flat braids that can be used for purse strings, jewelry, finishing or embellishing fine needlework.  This class is designed both for all levels of experience.  The class will look at the history of the lucet and then you will learn the basics of square cord and flat braid using pearl cottons, then elevate your skills to creating the very finest passementerie with options to use silks, chenilles, beads, ribbons and metallic fibers. We will explore multi-color trim and its variations.  And we will take a look at how to finish the trim and how to attach it to needlework, purses or cushions.

This lace uses a single cord for the outlines, and it is not covered later with buttonhole stitches. The work is done from the back side, and woven filling is used for the solid areas rather than buttonhole stitch fillings. A large number of stitch variations are used for fillings. During class we will work on a sampler bookmark, and if desired start a butterfly project as well.

Beginner to advanced students. Learn to make several modern grounds and how to use them in a variety of patterns from bookmarks to handkerchiefs and doilies. Prerequisites: Solid foundation in basic bobbin lace skills.

When the creator, Cathleen Belleville, set out to develop a new lace technique she listed the use of color, a small number of pairs, and ease and flexibility of working in her wish-list. What emerged was this three-dimensional technique, drawing strongly on Rosaline, Rococo and Duchesse, which enables most lacemakers to produce striking results, easily and quickly. Patterns and diagrams will be provided in class, including this never before published version of Cathy's bat.  We have  begun making Rosalibre in Lizbeth thread, as well as the smaller original threads, giving further flexibility to this lace.

For beginners only, learning basic stitches and skills.

For everyone (including from students from the Beginning Tatting workshop above). Students will be making a piece of lace reconstructed from the museum’s collection.

Teneriffe is an easy, portable lace made of knots and weaving. Students will learn all the basic techniques with this butterfly pattern.

TesseLace is an experimental form of bobbin lace that takes traditional Torchon in new directions. It features decorative grounds that have been discovered by deconstructing traditional grounds and recombining the pieces in new ways. This course will introduce you to TesseLace as you create the Hilbert Curve. https://tesselace.com/2020/07/12/labyrinths/

Beginners will learn how to create a traditional edging around a template. Topics: Knots and Loops, Increasing Loops in a Row, Decreasing Loops in a Row, Casting on New Color/Adding More Thread, Good Practice w/Tail Ends and Casting On, Undoing Knots and Mistakes.

Patterns covered in the workshop are small violas, small bi-color pansies, if there is extra time in class, medium tri-color pansies.Prerequisite: Familiarity with basic techniques of Turkish needle lace: casting thread, tying double knots, and the straight return loop.

Learn to make a fall maple leaf