The book also gives a basic introduction to a technique called needlelace, which is a cross between sewing, embroidery, tatting and lace-making. I decided to try to learn how to do it, using the book as a guide. The instructions were really clear, and it all made sense to me, amazingly (usually my spatial awareness is pretty awful - hence the lack of knitting skills!) - so I've been practising this new technique, hoping to add some needlelace pieces into the fibre works I'm making for Christmas presents.
To make a piece of needlelace, you need to have a firm boundary, which you couch down, and you need to work out the final shape first. I started with an easy rectangle!
You work on a 'pad' of fabric, with waxed paper on the top to form a tough surface to work against. Once you've finished the lace part, you sew buttonhole stitch all around the border, and then cut off the couching threads to release the piece.
I tried a piece with space-dyed threads too, which seem to work quite well:
And finally, I realised I have been very remiss in not yet posting any pictures of my crafting partners-in-crime. Well I say partners, more thwarters really. Particularly if it involves eating, hiding, or sitting on what I am trying to work on! This one is Rubedo, or Mr McGruber as he is more commonly known.
2 comments:
Hmm... Needlelace in silver wire might be interesting.....!
Oooh, good idea, Myfanwy! I was just recently thinking about having another go with wire for kumihimo... but wire with needlelace is certainly an interesting prospect. Thanks for the inspiration!
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