Have you ever wondered when you want to learn a new craft, and you really want to learn it, that things seem to happen so you can? Well this little story is about Bobbin lace, a very old handmade lace craft that I tried once when I was a little girl at a craft weekend and have wanted to learn it ever since.
Many years later, my desire to learn this intricate lacework hadn't lessened, so about two years ago I started to hunt around for some bobbins and a pillow so I could finally have a go at making lace. Well I soon discovered that both the bobbins and pillows could be expensive, and at the time I couldn't find anyone who did bobbin lace to ask where I would get these supplies, other than over seas. So I keep looking, hoping I might one day find something that would lead me in the right direction.
Earlier this year, we went away for a couple of weeks around New Year, and we visited a very old heritage town in Northern Victoria which had a fair few antique shops. It was in one of these shops that I found my first pair of bobbins.
So I felt like I might have finally found a bread crumb that would lead me to my next pair. I did some research into home made bobbins and managed to get part way through making some before I had to set them aside. I mentioned that I wanted to learn bobbin lace to one of the ladies at a local craft group, and she said she had some odd bobbins that she had been looking to find a home for. So then I had a few more bobbins to my first pair.
I then participated in a Ravelry swap and received a home made pillow, some pins and another 8 pairs of bobbins! I was almost ready to start :)
And then the lady from craft group gave me these bobbins the last time I went. She said she had mentioned to a friend of hers in Germany, that I was starting to learn bobbin lace and her friend sent all these bobbins over for me :) I nearly had tears in my eyes from the generosity of this completely unexpected gift, A Random Act of Kindness.
So with enough bobbins to have a serious go at starting to learn the basics, I did, I started!
And I have slowly been working through some basics and I now have a couple of inches of handmade lace! Until that moment when I received those last bobbins, I hadn't realised how much I had really wanted to learn to make lace.
I had been told by many that I must be nuts, how could I possibly make such a fine lace when I can't see the thread I'm using! But this only made me want to have a go at it even more. Just because I have limited sight, doesn't meant that I can have a go and enjoy the things I want to have a go at, and if anything, being told I can't do something for that reason, will make want to do it so that I can show that I ACTUALLY CAN! :) So, Never let anything stop you from wanting and doing the things you love!
I will return with a photo of my finished sampler lace when it is done. Until then, Happy Crafting!
After an inspiring session on tatting at craft group last month, again and again my mind has turned back to tatting and my current projects there of. Now as you can imagine, the nature of lace making is generally fine and intricate in nature. Being vision impaired definitely makes this intricate art even more challenging. So, I adapted the craft and its techniques to suit, producing some surprising results.
I have purchased over the years and found in various op-shops the traditional small tatting shuttles and have a few in my collection. However, while I can painstakingly work with the traditional fine No.20 thread, it takes a massive amount of time and concentration, feeling each tiny knot with my fingers. But if I was to continue with my tatting, I had to go back to the drawing board and re-assess how to make it easier, quicker and more enjoyable.
The concept of enlarging the whole craft isn't an entirely new one to me. As demonstrated previously I have and do work with large crochet hooks and knitting needles in my various projects to make things easier. So I searched for larger tatting shuttles and finding none, I made my own.
With my own large tatting shuttles in hand, I up-scaled my work with a thicker 4, 5, 6 even 8 ply thread and I have had fun creating quick and large pieces. I have also experimented with other types of threads and yarns with some interesting, even if undesired, results.
It just goes to show that if there is a barrier preventing you from doing something, or if something is proving to get the better of you, don't give up. A simple adaption to the process might be the only thing needed that could make things that little bit simpler and easier to undertake.
Happy Tatting! :)
