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Virtu Art Books

Lace Making + Tatting: Techniques, Patterns, Instructions

A Dictionary of Lace
Paperback 240 Pages
Publisher:
Dover Publications (March 1999)

The Illustrated Dictionary of Lace
Covering over 100 types of lace from all over the world, this reference book contains information on construction methods, developments over the centuries, and notes on hand - and machine-made copies. Each entry is accompanied by one or more photographs

Rosaline Lace
Rosaline, originally developed to compete with 17th century Venetian lace, and mainly floral in theme, is made by the "part lace" method, with short, curved lengths of mainly cloth-stitch tape. Swags and cartouches are sometimes filled with a mesh ground. In some patterns the petals, which are delineated by holes in the tape are "shaded" with cloth stitch and half stitch. A variation is Rosaline Perlee, in which additional raised rings are created with needle and thread. This book covers all varieties of Rosaline, and explains the materials and techniques needed to make this type of lace. It offers a series of projects in progressive order of difficulty, based on both traditional and original designs

The Complete Book of Tatting
Having struggled to understand the tatting technique shown in other books, this one gave me several alternatives, until I found one that suited my style. I have been inspired to work through the various practice techniques and the book shows interesting and up-to-date uses for tatted pieces, such as personalised notepaper, christmas decorations and christmas/gift cards. Rebecca Jones is an enthusiast who is eager to get people started in the craft and, through this book, encourages you to adapt finished pieces into a current style, rather than focusing on the doilies and edgings that may have been popular 20 years ago. It is a must buy for anyone who is new to, or revisiting the craft, or who wants some modern inspiration.

Lace from the Attic:
A Victorian Notebook of Knitted Lace Patterns
Delightful story of a Victorian lady and her lace. The author then recreates the lace patterns in contemporary terminology. The real plus--all patterns are charted.

Alphabet Inspirations in Coloured Bobbin Lace
This fully illustrated book contains instructions for the exquisite 'Leafy Glade Alphabet'. Each letter has one basic template but two alternative designs, one using simple bobbin lace stitches, the other using more complex Milanese braids. Though each letter is worked in a different set of colours, all the colourways are interchangeable, and, of course, they can be worked in white. The book then goes on to include 24 more abstract designs, such as 'Chinese Seedling' and 'Blackthorn Sprig', all of which were originally developed from the letters of the alphabet. Comprehensive instructions are given for each pattern, including prickings, linear outlines, pin reference charts and full pin-by-pin dir

Lessons in Bobbin Lacemaking (Dover Needlework S.)
Review: If you want a step by step book that teaches you all the skills needed to do bobbin lace, then this is the book for you. Everything is systematically laid out and she slowly teaches you new skills in an easy to understand manner. She also gives directions on how to make your own lace pillow so the initial expense to starting this hobby is decreased. I still enjoy using many of her patterns after I have mastered more difficult ones. She also teaches you how to read and understand patterns so you can graduate to doing patterns from other sources. Overall a great book

Masterpieces of Irish Crochet Lace:
Techniques, Patterns, Instructions (Dover Needlework Series)
Review: This book is a history of Irish Crochet Lacemaking. It is easy to follow and has the finest patterns I have seen for advanced projects. It is a very good learning tool. Highly recommended!!!!!

The Torchon Lace Workbook
This guide fully explains the basic skills required for Torchon lacemaking.
It also provides prickings and diagrams for 27 projects.

The Bobbin Lace Manual
This introduction to lacemaking techniques, particularly torchon, Bedfordshire, braided and modern styles, shows that from an early stage one can experiment and produce something personal. The reader is guided through a series of projects with step-by-step instructions, prickings and photographs

75 Quick and Easy Bobbin Lace Patterns
This multi-language lace book provides the enthusiast with a collection of 75 quick and easy bobbin lace patterns. The (mainly) small designs are worked in a range of styles: Bruges Flower, Schneeberg, Russian Tape and Free, plus Torchon, Honiton and Bedfordshire The patterns assume a certain level of skill but each one is graded according to experience and ability (beginner, practitioner and advanced). They include: Baby bear, circles, parasol, swans, Russian lace sampler, tortoise, wedding garter, frame, seashore edge, fleur de lys mat, summer daisies, wedding handkerchief, dolphins, lily bud, square mat

Lace Crochet
Lace Crochet is a guide to crocheting with fine thread to produce beautiful and delicate lace designs. It covers the most popular styles of crochet lace - filet crochet, motifs and Irish crochet - in depth, including history, all the techniques you'll need, traditional and modern patterns and practical projects, including framed lace motifs, delicate gloves and a bedspread. It also shows how to imitate other traditional styles of lace, such as Honiton and guipure lace, using crochet. The book gives all the basic techniques so previous experience in crochet is not necessarily required, and is illustrated with both colour photographs and easy-to-follow line diagrams and patterns. Whether you are a crocheter or a lacemaker, you'll find lots of fascinating information and inspiration in this book

Lace: From the Victoria and Albert Museum
Clare Browne has selected examples across the full range of designs and fashions, to demonstrate the skill and variety lace-makers have achieved in their work. She explores the history of lace-making from its origins in the late fifteenth century, showing how patterns and techniques developed to serve the fashions of the day. Lace-makers became more adventurous as technical developments in needle and bobbin lace opened up new possibilities, while later sophistication in design brought astonishing naturalistic effects, particularly in the depiction of flowers and plants. Specially photographed details provide a feast for the eye as well as a survey of exquisite craftsmanship. This book will be additionally valuable as a record of important parts of a collection which by its nature is too fragile to be displayed. It also offers a wide-ranging survey of the art and craft of lace-making down the ages that will appeal to needlework enthusiasts, designers, students and all those interested in historical fashion

Beginning Bobbin Lace
This guide to the craft of bobbin lace assumes no prior knowledge and no previous skills. The author begins with an explanation of the equipment and how to use it, and progresses to simple patterns and how to form grounds, edges and corners. She concludes with instructions for making complete and usable items. The drawings, patterns and prickings are clear and detailed and support the text which is ideal for the novice lacemaker. Gillian Dye has made several varieties of lace and now teaches and demonstrates the art of lacemaking to both children and adults, concentrating on traditional and contemporary bobbin lace

Introducing Traditional Bedfordshire
Lace in 20 Lessons
Graded lessons with attractive patterns lead the lacemaker from basic techniques to advanced floral designs

Romanian Point Lace
Romanian Point Lace, often also called Needlepoint Lace, Hungarian Point, Czech Point and Croatian Point, has a following around the world. The book starts with the uses and history of this popular lace and moves on to look at the tools and materials used. The authors then give a basic starter pattern, followed by instructions for the various fillings and stitches. The book concludes with instructions and patterns for a selection of attractive and useful objects, which include picture frames, bookmarks, coasters, Christmas tree decorations, cushion covers, and curtain trimmings

Starting Needlepoint Lace: A Course for Beginners
A progressive course for those wishing to take up needlepoint lace for the first time or those wishing to improve on basic techniques. It includes information on equipment and details for the making of a simple piece such as the "daisy" motif, progressing to a lace pillow and a stitch sampler. Stitches and threads are described and explained with instructions, diagrams and creative ideas. There is a section on decorative finishes and how to apply them and further information on design and colour to encourage the lacemaker to experiment and develop ideas. The author was the winner of the Batsford Lace Prize in 1986

Torchon Lacemaking: A Manual of Techniques
Torchon lacemaking is ideal for the beginner as it is geometric and mistakes are easily corrected. It can also be used a stepping stone to other forms of lace making. This manual is intended as a primer for the newcomer or those taking up a class of study. The book contains information on reading patterns, on mounting lace in a variety of ways, and advice on changing the scale of the lace using different grids and a variety of threads. Ideas are given for coloured lace and tips on lace design. A number of projects are included - cake frills and garters, small mats and handkerchiefs, lavender bags and pin cushions

Huck Lace: The Best of Weaver's (The Best of Weavers)
Huck lace is one of the most popular ways of weaving fabric. It produces a lovely, lacy structure of intricate patterns on fabrics that can be used for a wide range of purposes. It looks very complicated, but with a few basic principles under your belt, it is quick and easy to weave with only one shuttle. This book offers more than 40 projects by Weaver's magazine's talented designers give complete instructions for weaving huck lace fabrics for towels, table linens, shawls, scarves, throws, babywear, clothing, and much more. For the weaver who enjoys creating original designs, this is the easiest and most comprehensive guide to huck lace ever published. Comprehensive guide which gives all the basic theory and many practical patterns and projects, all illustrated in full colour. 35 Designers, 43 Projects, 15 Comprehensive features from 11 years of Weaver's magazine. First title in a new series of The Best of Weaver's books: collecting treasured articles and projects from over a decade of Weaver's magazine

Irish Crochet Lace: Motifs from County Monaghan
The manufacture of crocket lace did not become a cottage industry in Ireland until the middle of the 19th century, after the devastation caused by the Great Famine of the 1840s, when the development of home crafts was encouraged to create some small income for otherwise destitute families. Eithne D'Arcy, who died din 1999, came from a family who were buying agents for Irish crochet lace in the area around Clones in County Monaghan. This area was one of the principal centres of the Irish lace industry. A lifelong involvement with the Irish lace makers inspired her to record her knowledge and describe the traditional motifs and patterns which were gradually being lost as the old lace makers died out. This is both a pictorial record of one of Ireland's crafts and a practical manual that sets out the steps in construction f a wider range of traditional motifs which can be built up into larger designs. This edition includes clarified instructions for: nine-looped flower; flower; shamrock scroll; wheel; horse shoe; fern; and mitred fine lace motif.

The Laces of Ispwich: The Art and Economics of an Early American Industry, 1750-1840
With extensive research based on hundreds of previously unseen artifacts and documents, Raffel shows how this preindustrial labor and craft - absolutely central to the economic health of Ipswich - created and sustained forms of early American culture such as fashion and political symbolism, and shaped an entire community for several generations

Masterpieces of Irish Crochet Lace:
Techniques, Patterns, Instructions (Dover Needlework Series)
Review: This book is a history of Irish Crochet Lacemaking. It is easy to follow and has the finiest patterns I have seen for advanced projects. It is a very good learning tool. Highly recommended!!!!!