Ref: SLW41754
This workshop is an exciting opportunity for beginners to experience the delights of bobbin lacemaking without the need to buy equipment. Lapsed lacemakers will enjoy the time and space to renew their old skills, and those with experience will be able to extend their expertise with the help and support of a very experienced teacher. The aim is that you will have an enjoyable time making lace and will go home with the confidence to work independently.
During the course, beginners will learn the essential techniques of lacemaking: how to prepare a pricking, how to wind bobbins, how to dress their pillow correctly and how to work the basic stitches. They will also be given advice on books, suppliers and on continuing their lacemaking at home.
Those lacemakers with previous experience will build on their skills and extend their knowledge of this traditional craft. They will choose a pattern in consultation with the tutor, prior to the workshop, in order to fully profit from the course.
You will receive individual instruction on your chosen lace. The tutor will give demonstrations to small groups, as appropriate, and have examples of lace, lace books and other displays of lace available during the course. There will be opportunities to discuss topics of interest with other lacemakers and to review the work of the course.
Your tutor can supply beginners with equipment and materials to use during the course, if requested beforehand.
To ensure you have the full West Dean experience, tailored to your individual needs, it is essential—regardless of your level of experience—that you contact your tutor by phone or email as soon as you receive confirmation that you are booked onto the course.
Please do this by contacting the Short Course Office at [email protected], who can provide you with the relevant contact details.
You can find out more information here: www.jantregidgo.com
Once you have made contact, your tutor will advise you on what you need to do before the course so that you can begin straight away.
This may include winding your bobbins, pricking, and marking your pattern in preparation for the course, if necessary.
If notified in advance, Jan will also be able to lend you equipment and supply materials if you are a complete beginner and do not yet have any of the required tools.
If you have any examples of bobbin lace, photographs, books, articles, or anything else that may be of interest to other course members, please do bring them with you.
Lace thread for beginners will cost £3 per student.
Your tutor will have various materials and second hand equipment for sale (donations for Charity).
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Jan is a very experienced lace maker and teacher. She is a fully qualified teacher (B.Ed Hons) and was taught Bobbin Lacemaking by the legendary tutors Miss E. Dawson of Speen and Margaret Tite. She was commissioned to write, Torchon LaceMaking - A Step by Step Guide, first published in 2010 with two reprints.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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