Cattern Lace

On a bit of a catch-up today, having been away recently, including three days of making lace, eating and gorgeous surroundings on my residential Honiton course with Pat Perryman at Alston Hall. The hall and its grounds are so peaceful (apart from the music drifting from the Russian summer school!) and just what I needed- to get away from hectic life, Wi-Fi and deadlines- it was a bit of a culture shock getting on a busy train home with all my lace gear!

There’s a group of regulars who go twice a year, many of whom I remembered from the last time I went five years ago. Pat was as patient as ever and answered all my questions. She also displayed this fan which she’s just finishing- my goodness she is talented!! Such an inspiration. (My poor photography just doesn’t do it justice at all.)

My humble Honiton heart looks pretty paltry in comparison but is starting to take shape.

I’d wanted to do something a bit more ambitious, and when I think this is all I’ve achieved during the course, it doesn’t seem much, but if there’s one thing that I already knew about lace-making, it’s that it takes a lot of time and patience.

Frustratingly when I got home I ran out of bobbins to complete the filling but my lovely friend Lorna gifted me hers, with the ominous words ‘I’ll never be doing any Honiton ever again” so once I’ve got them wound I’m on my way again. And I’ve just booked onto the next course so I’m aiming to be onto another piece by then so I can make full use of Pat’s advice and 45 years of experience.

So what did I learn? How to do leadworks properly (whether I’ll succeed is another matter…), how to plan and create fillings, and that you should definitely walk before you can run.