A bobbin lace is a traditional lace making technique with a wide range of styles and designs.It requires you to work on top of a paper pattern with a lot of small bobbins of thread and pins.Simple movements of the bobbins create stitches, and repeating specific stitches according to a pattern allows you to make lace.It takes time and patience, but anyone can learn how to make bobbin lace.
Step 1: You should get a lacemaking pillow.
Standard pillows are not the same as these.The pins are held in place by the sturdy foam in the lacemaking pillow.The pillow can be shaped like a rounded dome, a block pillow, or a cylinder.A cookie pillow is good for beginners.Long or wide pieces of lace can be created with block pillows.Long strips of lace can be created with roller pillows.
Step 2: Pick a pattern.
A pattern is needed to make bobbin lace.You can buy a pattern book or find free lacemaking patterns online.If you want to work directly over the pattern on your pillow, you'll need a printout of it.Purchase a paper copy of the pattern you want to use.Patterns in pattern books are printed on thick paper so they can be used again and again.You will only be able to use it once if you print it out on computer paper.The pattern should be pricked before you use it.The pin is used to poke a hole through the dots on the pattern.
Step 3: The number of bobbins is required for the pattern.
There is only one size of lace bobbins, which is a long stick of 10 cm.To find out how many bobbins you will need, check your pattern.The complexity of the bobbin lace pattern will affect this number.A simple pattern can only require 6 pairs of bobbins, which is a total of 12.50 pairs of bobbins may be required for more complex patterns.The bobbins are made of wood and plastic.Wood bobbins are more expensive than plastic ones.The results you get will not be affected by the decorative end of bobbins.
Step 4: Pick a bobbin lace thread that won't break.
If you want to make bobbin lace, you can use any type of thread.Try practicing with some cheap sewing thread in the color or color of your choice if you are just starting out.You can pick up thread at your local craft supply store.Cotton, silk, and linen thread can be used.The look of your lace may be affected by the thickness of the thread.To find out what type of thread is recommended, check your pattern.If you want an antique look, you can use cream-colored thread or choose a more colorful one.
Step 5: Take a piece of thread from one arm to another.
Use one hand to grasp the end of the thread and the other to hold it.Pull out the strand and cut the thread at the center of your chest for an arm-to-chest measurement.Pull out the strand until it spans from one hand to the other with your arms outstretched.The thread should be cut at the spool.A specific measurement may be indicated by your pattern, or it may simply advise you to do an arm-to-arm measurement.These are ways of measuring thread.To see which measurement is required, check your pattern.
Step 6: Wind an equal amount of thread onto the bobbins.
To connect 2 bobbins, you will need to wrap each end of the thread around one of them.Take the end of the strand and hold it against the bobbin.Continue winding the thread around the bobbin until you have wound half of the length onto it.The same process is used for the second bobbin.
Step 7: There are 2 bobbins and 8 to 12 inches of thread between them.
You will need a length of thread between the bobbins to create your lace.This extra thread can be provided by unraveling from both bobbins.Half of the thread that hangs down from the pins is between the 2 bobbins.
Step 8: Attach the thread on the bobbin with a loop.
If you want to prevent the bobbins from unraveling, make a loop with the thread hanging from each bobbin.If you want to slide the loop onto the bobbin, twist it 1 time at its base.While the bobbin hangs from the pillow, this loop should keep the thread from unraveling.Each time you need to untangle more thread, you will have to loosen the thread and redo the loop.
Step 9: You can place the pillow on your lap or on the table in front of you.
You can either sit in a chair with a pillow on your lap or sit on a table with the pillow resting on it.Do whatever feels right for you.It is best to have the pillow at a slight angle while you work because the bobbins will need to hang down below the pattern.Put your feet on a stool in front of you so that you can bend your knees and angle the pillow.If you prefer to sit at a table, you can prop up the back of the pillow with a book.
Step 10: Your pillow has a pattern on it.
The pattern needs to be secured to the pillow before you start.If you want to work the entire pattern easily, choose a central location on the pillow.Pin the pattern in the center of the pillow for a piece of lace that is easy to work on.If you want to make a long piece of lace, pin the pattern high on the pillow.If you are working with a block or roller pillow, you can pin the pattern anywhere and move the pillow pieces as needed.
Step 11: The pins are indicated at the top of the pattern.
You will need pins to work the lace in your pattern because it has many small dots.The first row of pins is at the top of the pattern.Get started by putting 1 pin into each dot.You will need to place additional pins after you finish a row of stitches.
Step 12: Use 2 bobbins to loop a section of thread around the pins.
Bring the length of thread between the bobbins and the first pin.Allow the bobbins to leave the pin.Use your next pair of bobbins to repeat this for the next pin.Continue looping thread around the bobbins until you reach the end of the row of pins.
Step 13: When indicated by the pattern, cross neighboring bobbins.
There is a cross in the bobbin lace patterns.To cross the bobbins on either side of the C, you need to see a C.It's important to remember that a cross isn't a stitch on its own.You will use this movement to create different types of stitches.
Step 14: To do a twist, swap the positions of 2 neighboring bobbins.
A cross usually follows a twist.This is when you swap bobbins.A twist is a component of a stitch.
Step 15: The middle 2 bobbins should be switched to half stitch.
A half stitch is a common one in lacemaking.You cross the middle 2 bobbins in a set of 4 over each other.The positions of the first, second, and third bobbins should be swapped.It's a good idea to label your bobbins in groups of 4, such as bobbin 1, bobbin 2, bobbin 3, and bobbin 4.
Step 16: Follow the instructions to create more advanced stitches.
The bobbin lace stitches all build on the basic concepts of crossing and twisting.You can learn new stitches once you have mastered the basics.A cross, twist, and then another cross make a cloth stitch in a pattern.
Step 17: Cut the excess by tying pairs of hanging threads in knots.
You will need to secure the ends of the thread after you have finished working your lace pattern.To create a knot between the neighboring pairs of hanging thread, tie the ends together twice.Remove the thread from the bobbins.Take 2 strands at a time and tie them together.Go to the end of the row.As you go, remove the excess threads.