Bobbin Lace Making - Torchon-Calverton Village Hall-Adult Learning

Calverton Village Hall, Calverton

Key details

Date -
Sessions Mondays: 10am - 12pm
No. sessions 3
Venue Calverton Village Hall, Calverton
For ages 19+
Group size 5 - 12
Cost FREE - £12

About this course

Bobbin Lace is craft with a long history; dating from 1500’s.  Within this course you look at a Torchon Lace which is notable for being coarse and strong, as well as its simple geometric patterns and straight lines.  This was historically used as edgings or insertions.  Torchon Bobbin Lace is multiple thread craft, and often uses continuations – like macrame, so if you enjoyed macrame and want to try something similar, try this short course. 

Over the course you will learn the grounds used in Torchon lace and how patterns are formed and how elements can be used in patterns. You will make samples which can be bookmarks or jewellery items (please discuss with tutor prior to course if you have a specific goal). – suitable for all. 

This course will concentrate on Torchon Bobbin Lace, which can be suitable for those with no previous knowledge but if you have previous knowledge then the tutor will develop an individual plan that meets your aims to develop your lacemaking skills within this style of Bobbin Lace. 

Over the course you will be introduced to the equipment in bobbin lace and be provided with links to alternative uses, such as paper wrap bobbins or pegs. You will get a brief look at the history of bobbin lace and some of the styles that are found in the UK and the world, and the different styles of bobbins and equipment. You will have practical experience of making torchon style bobbin lace and the stitches used in all bobbin lace making. 

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?  

  • Have understanding of equipment, and be able to identify elements of equipment.  
  • Know how to wind bobbins and create slip loop. 
  • Have the understanding of the Torchon Ground (HS pin HS) & Double Torchon Ground (DHS pin DHS) and able to demonstrate it 
  • Have the understanding of elements of Torchon Lace (Fans, Diamonds, trails) and able to demonstrate them and Identity them in samples. 
  • (For some learners) Have the understanding and be able to identify some of the filler elements in Torchon lace (such as Roseground, spiders, etc ) 
  • Completed some small Samples of Bobbin Lace – such as bookmarks
  • Develop/improve their eye and hand coordination
  • No specific skills are required at the beginning of this course, but useful if you completed the previous Bobbin Lace course (Tape/Braided Lace) but not essential 

Equipment can be used in class from the tutor, but if learners have lacemaking equipment, please bring it along

Suggested Reading for the course -  

Title: Beginner's guide to bobbin lace Author: Dye, Gilian. ISBN: 9781844481088 

 Title: Torchon lacemaking : a step-by-step guide Author: Tregidgo, Jan. ISBN: 9781847972019 

 Title: Lace In The Making : With Bobbins And Needle Author: Brooke, Margaret Ling. ISBN: 9780710082305 

 Title: Bobbin Lace : An Illustrated Guide To Traditional And Contemporary Techniques. Author: Fuhrmann, Brigita. 

ISBN: 9780486249025 

 Title:  The Book Of Bobbin Lace Stitches Author:  Cook, Bridget M. ISBN:  9780713421248 

Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course  please visit our webpage for further information  https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/ 

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

  • Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING.
  • Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking.  If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas:

  • Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
  • Greater London
  • Greater Manchester
  • Liverpool City Region
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
  • Tees Valley
  • West of England
  • West Midlands
  • West Yorkshire

Any questions?

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