Crafts
General | Beadwork | Embroidery | Lace
Lace
General
Jo Edkins' Lace School
An on-line lace school which has very helpful sections on all aspects of lace-making for beginners and for those with more experience: equipment, lace stitches (with animated illustrations) design, patterns and examples of English lace.
http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/ jo/ lace/ index.htm
Lace Fairy
A large, beautifully illustrated site covering all aspects of lace and lace-making. Search the lace identification section alphabetically or by technique to find examples, or search for lace-making by country in the International section. There are pages for beginners, suggested books and a useful links section too.
http://lace.lacefairy.com/
Bedfordshire
Bedford Borough Council - lacemaking in Bedfordshire
Information about: the history of lacemaking in Bedfordshire, Bedford lace dealer - Thomas Lester, lacemaking equipment, patterns and contact details for the Aragon Lace Makers society.
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/ leisure_and_culture/ museums_and_galleries/ aragon_lacemakers.aspx
Windmill Lacemakers
Information about Windmill Lacemakers, a Flitwick based group of lacemakers of all abilities. Beginners are welcomed.
http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/ cgi-bin/ infopoint.sh?enqtype=REF&rcn=3229
Lace collections
Cowper and Newton Museum
The Cowper and Newton Museum is based at Olney in Buckinghamshire. Its website includes a well-illustrated section about lacemaking in the Eastern counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire and has photographs of some of the exhibits of lace-making equipment at the museum such as prickings, bobbins and pillows.
http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/ cnm/ html/ EXHIBITS/ lace/ index.html
The Higgins
Thomas Lester, a Bedford lace dealer, set up his business in the 1820s and the Thomas Lester Lace collection, bequeathed by his granddaughter, is housed at The Higgins (previously Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum) in Bedford. The Higgins is closed for refurbishment until Spring 2013.
http://www.cecilhigginsartgallery.org/
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is one of the major museums for art and design. Search under 'Lace' for references and images throughout its collections.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
Lace organisations
The Lace Guild
The Lace Guild is one of the largest organizations in the UK set up to support and promote lacemaking . It provides information about the craft and its history as well as encouraging high standards of lace design and development. Links to information about events, exhibitions, Lace Days, suppliers and illustrations of various lace patterns.
http://www.laceguild.demon.co.uk/
The Lace Society
Anyone interested in the making, collecting or teaching of lace, can become a member of the Lace Society. Its aims are to support lace-makers and develop lace-making. Links to suppliers and events.
http://www.thelacesociety.org.uk/
Lace shows, lace fairs and lace days
Lace-making.com
Information about the Harrogate Lace Event and the National Christmas Lacemakers' Fair.
http://www.lace-making.com/
The Lace Guild's List of Lace Days
The Lace Guild lists lace days in England. Select 'Events' and then 'Lace Days'.
http://www.laceguild.demon.co.uk/ events/ laceDays.html
Lace suppliers
The Lace Guild
Search under 'Suppliers and Services' for beads, bobbins, books, patterns, pillows and general suppliers.
http://www.laceguild.demon.co.uk/
General | Beadwork | Embroidery | Lace