Blog & News

If you go to www.philamuseum.org/collections and search for  "bobbin lace" you  should see  a lot of lace.

In looking at the Lace Digest this morning, I discovered a beautiful blog, http://fils-aiguilles-passion.blogspot.com/ , which seems to do a lot of knitting, needle lace, and embroidery.  The blogger, Yolande, lives in France now, but she is originally from Belgium.  While there are a number of blogs in French that are very good, I normally do not mention them here due to the language barrier.  This blog is posted in three languages, French, English, and Flemish (my assumption).

Enjoy!

Gil Dye has posted a pdf of her talk on early lace at the School of Historical Lace in London on her website.  While subscribers to Arachne have seen the link, I would encourage all to take a look at it.  There is a lot of good information on how the materials were constructed, but the photography is just as important.  You can really see how these laces were made.  See https://earlylace.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/gold-thread-to-gold-lace.pdf

As snow is falling here, it is time to think ahead towards the demonstration season and the Big E.  As I have often reminded people, the Big E is one of our largest interactions with the public, both from demonstrating as well as the Big E entries.  We would love to have the display case full of beautiful lace. 

For myself, I am planning on what will go to the Big E even at this point in time.  I have one project that will definitely be there as well as two more projects.  I hope everyone will be able to contribute to this.  Remember that the size of the project does not have to be large.  Most entries in the past have won prizes that more than covers the entry costs.  Planning ahead will make getting the project finished on time easier.  Besides, wouldn't you rather work on lace than go out to slide on some ice?

Posted on Facebook by IOLI International Organization of Lace, Inc. 1/11/16

Museum Update-Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, in Boston, MA.

The velvet rope that kept viewers away from the 40 pieces of displayed lace has been moved so that one may see them close up. However, IOLI members are advised only TO VISIT ON A SUNNY DAY. The lace is in a dark corner. There is a lamp next to the display, but the guard is not authorized to turn on the lamp. Consequently you can barely see the outline of the lappets, and not the workmanship on a rainy day.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of only four museums in the US to have numerous pieces of lace on public display in the permanent exhibition, and arguably the most high profile museum of the four. The lace is on the third floor in the Veronese room. Photography is not permitted.

http://www.gardnermuseum.org/collection/artwork/3rd_floor/veronese_room/lace_panel?filter=room:1806

It is that time of year when New England weather can be dangerous to travel.  Planning is always difficult since the weather forecast is not particularly accurate in advance.  While we will try to have NELG meetings as planned, during the winter months especially, please consult the NELG home page before you start your trip to the meeting.  We will be posting any meetings that are cancelled due to weather so you can get that information on the home page, possibly through the blog.

And of course, do remember that the weather throughout New England can vary widely at any time.  Please consider your local conditions even if the meeting is not cancelled.  We prefer that you are safe even if it means you need to skip a meeting.

We are often reminded by our peers that washing old textiles is dangerous.  As someone who has more than once washed curtains that ended up with less than started in the washing machine (have you ever retrieved just the hems of a curtain from the dryer?), I have respected that warning.  I saw this video of the cleaning of a 17th century tapestry which obviously is an exception to the rule.  The process is interesting.  See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3xN3rqmfkk&feature=youtu.be

Is it ok for me to "share" this on the IOLI Facebook page? Is there any other information that you would like to share with the IOLI Facebook page?

Devon Thein

dmt11home@aol.com

I finished my Snowflake video.... year long project.  Enjoy !

Snowflake Video by Patty

Are there really only 3 people planning to go to the meeting this Saturday?  If you are planning to go, could you register so I know how much food to bring?  :-)