The Lacis Museum Newsletter

January 13th, 2011

Dear Friends of LMLT,

This Week

Not quite two weeks into the New year and suddenly we’re immersed in the middle of it. We want to focus on our mission of bringing the world of textiles to the relevance of humanity and yet all seems irrelevant as soon as we take off our blinders and see a world where any relevance to the human spirit is subjected to the hysteria of us and them.
A moment of distraction this last weekend as needle and thread took prominence as The National Needlework Association winter market was held in Long Beach. We can focus on what we love as our vision is now filled with colors beyond any rainbow and the textures of yarns threads and fibers of all manner beg for attention to become part of human involvement. New tools to work with, a spirit of connectivity and sharing and mostly it is our need for each other that overwhelms all else.

Maria Provencher, a most dedicated supporter of bringing bobbin lace into main stream textile arts was demonstrating bobbin lace...convincing the many curious of its wonders. The market does seem to be reaching out to new areas as spinning wheels and weaving looms made a presence. “Bell Pulls,” however, still ranks high on Market Categories with “Lace Making” still not recognized.

Two new tools at LMLT attracted much attention with editors, teachers and shops owners searching for ways to expand their vision. The “Schirren” Rug Hook brought back memories of a lost technique for recycling discarded fabrics into a personal experience. No waste, minimal effort and a resulting heirloom to be preserved by generations not yet born. The other tool was the mysterious “pjoning” hook for Bosnian crochet which was unknown a few months ago and now seems to be a well investigated technique as found on the web with even a video, in Swedish, on how to create the unique dense crocheted fabric of the glove and mittens of Scandinavia. There was one soul who knew exactly what it was, had taken courses in Scandinavian textile techniques and proceeded to demonstrate with yarn and hook.

For the curious, do stop by the LMLT shop, find Erin and she will tell you all about it.




Some new discoveries in the Museum collection include some extraordinary pieces: an immense Irish Crochet accessory that must have a name beyond “collar”; an exquisite Venetian Gros Point Collar of early 19th c. origin and a set of unusually fine embroideries on silk gauze of various designs, each 3” square, all with the original Italian tag of commerce.












 The LMLT Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LacisMuseum is gathering friends, thanks to Karen and we ask our friends to keep us informed of events you would like to share. 
 
Events

EMBROIDERY: THE EXTRAORDINARY OF NEEDLE AND SPIRIT

The current exhibit departs from the previous Lace themes and presents an overview of Needlework from the Museum’s Embroidery collection. Encompassing virtually every culture and age, the needle would secure the symbols of tradition as well as the freedom and spirituality of the individual, the needle garnering  an emotional appeal unique to embroidery. The 2000 years of embroidery presented is sure to awaken a sensitivity to the human spirit .
One of the most remarkable pieces in the Exhibit is easily overlooked as it remains quiet by the entrance. An Italian embroidery from 1795, on silk worked with a single ply human hair to create an image of magic through the human hand. An early visitor recognized the scene, relating that the meeting place depicted remains unchanged.



The Exhibit Gallery is open at all times when the Museum is open, Monday thru Saturday 12:00-6:00 PM.  Ask any Staff Member for access. I am available for formal tours most days, at 2:30, weekdays and 3:00 on Saturday. If you call ahead requesting a tour I will try and work with your schedule.
Adding dimension to this exhibit and to connect with the hands of the embroiderer, a display of the embroiderer’s tools and materials will be on display as well as a collection Chinese girl’s silver needle cases, their most prized possession as they were taught the magic of their hands. Many of the larger embroideries were embellished with elaborate tassels, often of metallic threads. As an adjunct to this exhibit a collection of these early metal thread tassels are also displayed.
A slide show of some of the exhibit pieces as well as a slide show of the actual exhibit can now be viewed on the LMLT web site LacisMuseum.org

2011 EXHIBITS

Looking ahead, the Spring costume exhibit for 2011 will be on UNDERGARMENTS and how they shaped us both physically, emotionally and mentally.  Tentative date: April 2, 2011 to July 30, 2011.
The Fall textile exhibit will focus on KNITTED LACE and its manifestations in the cultures of Estonia, Russia, Shetland and Germany. Nancy Bush, sharing her own affair with Estonia, will be taking a curatorial role and will develop educational programs coordinated with the exhibit. The knitted lace of Marguerite Shimmons will highlight the modern lace movement, as developed in Germany in the early 20th c.  Tentative date: September 16, 2011 to February 4, 2012.
 
Classes

(Note: Class schedules subject to change. Confirm dates prior to registering)

JFebruary 4, 11, and 18 (Friday evenings)

VICTORIAN CORSETRY with Carol Wood.
Carol will again offer this popular workshop. In this three-part class you will learn the art and engineering of the Victorian corset, and make one of your own. Using the pattern for “Ladies’ Victorian Underwear” (#100) by Laughing Moon Mercantile, you’ll alter the pattern to make a muslin mock-up fitted to your exact measurements, and then you’ll use your muslin to make a double-layer corset in coutil, with the option of covering it in your choice of fashion fabric. The three class session is designed to allow adequate time between classes to do work on your project on your own time. Depending on your sewing ability and choice of fabrics, the object will be to complete your corset by class end. You can see an example of the corset on display at the museum shop.



February 25 and 26 (Friday and Saturday)

FELT FOLK AND FRIENDS with Ayala Talpai. Excitement is in the air as Ayala will return, not just to teach felting but to stir the imagination beneath the surface of all of us. You will not just make...you will create. Ayala will provide all materials for her class, sharing her stash of brilliant fibers and embellishment materials.  Friday morning will be devoted to making needle felted 4-legged animal friends built on wire armatures. The remaining sessions will be devoted to creating a Folk friend from a voluptuous babe, to a toddler by Ayala’s unique technique explained in her soon-to-be-released book. Hollow body parts will be wet felted and then stuffed and assembled, all detail work then handled easily with the versatile felting needle, Her classes fill quickly.



March 12 and 19 (Saturdays)

VICTORIAN BALLGOWN BODICE with Carol Wood. “Did you see that beauty?!,” “Who is that enchanting creature?,” “Have you ever seen such an amazing gown?!!!” they’ll exclaim as you pass by in your perfectly fitted bodice.  Even more important than color or cloth is the fit of a garment and a successful garment is one that fits like a glove.  Practice the art of custom fitting a Victorian ball bodice to your corseted torso, a skill you can use on more than just this garment.  Not all commercial patterns fit the same and most require a little “tweaking” for optimal fit, especially one as closely fitted as a Victorian bodice over a corset.  The pattern we’re using is suited to 1850-1873, although it can be easily used for other periods as well.



April 7-9 (Thursday thru Saturday)

ESTONIAN KNITTED LACE: A TRADITION with Nancy Bush. In anticipation of the Fall textile exhibit on knitted lace, which Nancy will cohost, she will be offering a 3 day workshop on the Estonian lace traditions.     udents can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 days. Author of several books on this magical lace, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to all knitters.



July 20-23, 2011 (Wednesday thru Saturday)

CLONES IRISH CROCHET LACE with Maire Treanor. Maire will return for another workshop following the overwhelming success of the one she hosted earlier this year.  This workshop will be a continuation of her earlier offering and will be suited to new as well as prior students. In addition to introducing new motifs of her own designs she will cover edging techniques and jewely.

Maire resides in Ireland and is dedicated to keeping alive Ireland’s rich textile traditions. She is author of  “CLONES LACE, The Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet” To assure the class schedule, registration should be made no later than June 1.




July 29-30 (Friday & Saturday)

FRENCH FLOWER MAKING with Jan Wutkowski. Using the hot iron flower tools Jan will teach the age old secrets and techniques for making flowers in the French tradition. Two sessions will focus on roses and orchids but the skills learned  will enable you to make other custom realistic and imaginary flowers that are marketed for hundreds of dollars. To assure the class schedule, registration should be made no later than July 1.



Details on all classes and workshops are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes.
 
Lace Groups at LMLT

Participation is free and if attending, do bring some of your accomplishments, complete or incomplete, and find a community of friends.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP
This steadily growing group meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 - 3. Hosted by Maria Jose Munoz and Beth Lysten, all are welcome to learn, share and encourage.  If curiosity persists, we would encourage participation in the more formal bobbin lace classes offered by Maria at LMLT.  The group will meet this Saturday,January 15th from 1 - 3.



KNITTING and CROCHET GROUP
Welcoming knitters and now, crocheters, of all persuasions to gather, learn, share and explore all the facets of this 1-thread-2-needle textile technique, and the 1-thread-1-hook textile technique,  this group will meet at the Museum on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00-3:00 PM. All are invited, to knit or just meet Amy.   Amy, a creative knitter and natural instructor, can make any garment fit and find a way to restore the intended glory of discards. She helped put an all men’s knitting club in the spotlight in lower Manhattan while instructing children, adults, seniors and celebrities how to tame yarn with a pair of pointed sticks. The group will next meet Saturday, February 12th from 1 - 3.



TEXTILE CLINIC.
LMLT offers a free clinic on the third Monday of each month from 2 - 4:00,  offering guidance as to identification, restoration, conservation, repair, storage and value as related to lace, costume, rugs, quilts and virtually any other textile. Our own “Road Show,” bring and share what may or may not be those treasures.
 
Details are available on our web site at http://lacismuseum.org/classes

New in the Shop

DRESSED TO RULE, Philip Mansel (YA22). A fascinating discourse on how costume was an important controlling element of society and how important it was to dress properly within the parameters of the position you held in society. It covers royal and court costume from Louis XIV to Elizabeth II. offering a glimpse into the lives of the powerful.


Closing Thoughts

As the year begins, we bear a tremendous responsibility, not only to preserving the memories and creations of the of the past but to accept these memories as part of each of us knowing that we are not alone, only the current manifestation of a never ending spirit of all that is human and unique.
 

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
2982 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA  94703

http://lacismuseum.org/

at Ashby & Adeline St., adjacent to the "Ashby" BART Station
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
tel: 510-843-7290