Blog & News

I just got an email from MFA Boston about Renaissance Italian women in art, and they say it includes textiles. So of course I went to see if they meant lace, and it looks like they do. They appear to have a copy of the Parasole book included in the exhibit--so I bet there's some lace too.

https://www.mfa.org/exhibition/strong-women-in-renaissance-italy

Runs until January 7, 2024. 

Friends of Patty will gather on Wednesday, November 8 at 5:30pm at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, CT for a celebration of life for Patty. I will be there and would love to see others from NELG, if you can make it.

Jill

Long time NELG member and past President, Patty Foley, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 20 after battling cancer for 5 years. Her wishes were for no services.

For Patty, the glass was ALWAYS half-full and her enthusiasm was contagious. We will miss her fire and determination and the example she set.

RIP Patty.

Jill

In the IOLI talk about flax, Elena mentioned that Kimberly Alexander's UNH class has something underway about flax production in the region.

I found this site about it: https://theclio.com/entry/169623

Congratulations to all who entered the Big E Creative Arts Competition! See results on their website now. All blue and red ribbons!

I had heard a lot about this Dress Diary book because I follow Kate Strasdin on social media. But I didn't expect it to be hugely relevant to lace. Well, I should have known better.

First, her diary starts with Honiton lace on her wedding dress (scroll down on that first link to the last image). There's a whole chapter on lace making, partly because Kate is a lacemaker and this diary came to her via her local lace group! It's a lovely tribute to lace culture.

Then there are more lace samples, and just today I scanned the QR code in the book to get to this page with additional fabric samples, and there I also found black lace!

16 stunning Victorian textiles from The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes

In a separate interesting twist, on that page is a swatch of a Mrs Balestier. Mrs Balestier = Maria Revere, daughter of Paul Revere. She was friends with Anne in Singapore, it turns out. 

That said, it's mostly not about lace, but it reminds you of the importance of textiles and the economics around that. And I like it as a reminder that history is not sepia-toned. Some of those fabrics are just wild! 

Apparently, there will be many pickle-flavored food offerings at the Big E this year! Who knew? 

See this link: https://www.thehour.com/living/food/article/the-big-e-new-fair-foods-2023-18300978.php?sid=5ba858bf3f92a454704faea5&ss=A&st_rid=ff38f303-d407-45d6-9408-171792c0b85b&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CT_HR_MorningBriefing

OIDFA-USA is selling notecards with images of Ipswich lace on them. 8 cards (w/envelopes) for US$10.00. Carolyn W will have a set for you to see at the September NELG meeting and we can take orders together to save on shipping. 

Jackie Miller's husband passed away last week. In the past, she attended NELG retreats and Connecticut lace days, so you may remember her.

Please let me know if you would like Jackie's address.

Here is Ed's obituary:   https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thehour/name/edward-miller-obituary?id=52585034 

Jill

Short video of some lacemakers and bobbin winding.

https://youtu.be/Bc4CxgjHwtE