Customer Reviews

The Bobbin Lace Manual

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I learned how to do bobbin lace solely through this book--with no help from a teacher. It explains the art of lace-making well and simply, from how to wind a bobbin all the way to complicated pattern designing. I have several "beginners" books in my collection, and none are as clear cut as this one.

The book is practical and very easy to follow. The diagrams are clear. The use of color helps to avoid some of the confusion that arises when you first learn the craft and aren't quite sure what to make out of the instructions in front of you, and how it relates to what lies within your hands. Book is full of useful tips and hints.

It includes 27 different patterns: about 7 bookmarks [some of these variations of a theme as the book indicates], 9 apliqués, 4 lace trims, 4 samplers, 3 hankies.

There are wonderful ideas on how to use some of the samplers for table settings or even as photograph frames. An excellent book for beginners.

This was one of the first books I found when I took up bobbin lace nine years ago. Filled with attractive, simple patterns, clear diagrams, and many helpful hints, this book remains a favorite of mine. This is a wonderful resource, especially if you don't have a teacher. Geraldine Stott is one of the best in the business.

I have no idea how D. Ballard came to the conclusion the diamond pattern was the first one to be worked, it is 24 pages into the text after cloth stitch, half stitch, and footsides which is about where it should be. The book encourages careful reading of the sections on how to interpret abbreviations and symbols, but provides the tools (mostly gradually) on how to 'read' a pattern which I find much more useful than written instruction. I am a self-taught lacemaker, and as with all self-teaching you must be very self-motivated, this book is no exception. The extra touches added were things I would have never known without personal tutor, and I am pleased with the book as a reference and clarification on points my online self-teaching could not cover. Regrettably, the pricetag for these books is high, so I recommended a high quality used copy.

This book has some lovely prickings but for rank beginners it is not advisable. Ms. Stot is void of major and important details needed for someone beginning lace for the first time. I have found that people wanting to learn lace want and NEED more details for what they are learning. They need to work a plain ground and understand why the ground is important. MS. Stot starts her first pricking with a cloth stitch diamond which by most standards does not come about until the 3rd to 5th pricking in most beginning series. I would recommend a different beginning lace book for the rank beginner and Ms. Stot's book futher on.

This is an excellent place for anyone interested in bobbin lacemaking to start. I especially like the variety of techniques.

This manual is some what hard to follow. However, I have found it becomes clearer by reading one sentence and follow that instruction. After doing several of the lessons this way, the book becomes clearer.