An Introduction to Bobbin Lace Making - by Rosemary Shepherd (Paperback)

About the Book

Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking is an instructional book ideal for all ages and skill levels. Readers learn the art and technique of lacemaking and its rich history. Weavers around the world have found it an indispensable guide.

Book Synopsis

Heralded as "a priceless book for the beginner" by the editors of Australian Lace, Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking is now back in print. Boasting worldwide sales of over 10,000 copies, this seminal guide revitalizes the age-old craft of lacemaking and offers a contemporary introduction to this textile art from the 16th century.

Created for modern hobbyists, craft enthusiasts, and educators, artist and lace historian Rosemary Shepherd has expanded the course she wrote for the Australian lace guild. After describing the necessary equipment and materials, her detailed explanation of every bobbin lace process is accompanied by more than 200 diagrams and photographs.

Most importantly, in Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking each new exercise builds on the skills of the previous one. This includes a full description of the way each pattern is drawn on the graph paper; by the end of the book new lacemakers have the skills to design their own work as well as make it because they will understand how all the elements of the lace fit together. With this fundamental comprehension they can then enjoy exploring all the different traditional laces as well as the exciting creative possibilities of their new-found art.

A founding member of the Australian Lace Guild, Rosemary Shepherd has worked as an educator and lace historian for over 40 years. She developed the Lace Study Center at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, was awarded the Order of Australia medal for service to the arts and curated the 1998 and 2001 International Lace for Fashion Awards. She was also a selector and judge for the Powerhouse Museum's "Love Lace" exhibition in 2011.

This book is also available from Echo Point Books as a hardcover (ISBN 1648373879).

Review Quotes

This is the only book I know of which you could hand to someone, along with bobbins, and say 'Now go home and learn bobbin lacemaking'. The book grew from the correspondence course which Rosemary wrote for the Australian Lace Guild and is just like having a teacher standing beside you.

Some Australians live so far from classes that this book, and maybe a weekend workshop to start off, are all the tutoring they can obtain. All in all, a priceless book for the beginner, now with ideas on free lace to come back to later.

-The editor, Australian Lace

"This is the best of the beginning bobbin lace books. The author is an innovative lacemaker whose approach is to help you understand the underlying principles of lace making so you can soon be developing your own designs, not merely following step-by-step patterns. She takes readers through a series of exercises that build on the basic skills of lace making, and she gives instructions for several small projects. Extensive diagrams illustrate the clearly-written text."

Halcyon Yarn web site, USA

"This is the book I wish I had when I started to make lace. I can recommend this book to anyone new to bobbin lacemaking."

Patricia Stow in Lace, UK