HEDGE END

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How do you start looking for a class to join?

You attend a local Lace Day, but you have to be a member of the Lace Guild to see the advert.  So I attended a Lace Day and became a member of Itchen Valley Lacemakers, who meet once a month as a self-help group.  During my time as a member of their Committee I was involved in setting up their website, running the open day in Hedge End for Hampshire Open Studios and setting up the Strawberries section to teach newcomers and help those returning to lacemaking.

 

Hampshire did not, at this time (2008), have any classes advertised anywhere.  It appeared that there were no taught classes to be found, only self-help groups.

 

I waited a while to make sure I was not treading on anyone’s toes before signing up to run a Workshop on Bobbin Lacemaking through Adult Education at Fareham, which was closely followed by setting up a class running from my house (November 2009).

 

Now, 13 years later, I have 2 classes running.  Our 10th Anniversary celebration was delayed due to Covid and we eventually (April 2022) visited the Lace Guild Museum and the Black Country Living Museum, staying over at a hotel.  During this time I have organised weekend workshops away at Ammerdown and home at Shedfield, day trips to see lace exhibitions at Waddesdon and Bath. We demonstrate our skills at Bursledon Brickworks during their open season, attend Lace Days and Havant Lace Fair.

 

My now grown up children have left home and I have been able to put some effort into learning new types of bobbin and needle lace.  Courses have included Flemish with Annick Staes, a variety of Continental laces with Anna Winter and Rosaline Perlé with Judith Cordell.

 

Since gaining my Teaching Certificate I have given talks and run children’s workshops to many different groups, including schools, WI groups and Church social groups.  In 2021, I was accepted as a Trustee of The Lace Guild and most recently I decorated my younger daughter's wedding veil with fresh water pearls and crystals.