Bobbin lacemaking with Jan Tregidgo

Constructed and woven textiles

Ref: SLW12161

Suitable for all £400
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About this course

Try out lacemaking without buying any equipment if you are a beginner, or work on your chosen patterns, including Bucks Point, Torchon or Bedfordshire lace to develop your lacemaking skills.

Course Description

This workshop is an exciting opportunity for beginners to experience the delights of bobbin lacemaking without the need to buy equipment. Lapsed lacemakers will enjoy the time and space to renew their old skills, and those with experience will be able to extend their expertise with the help and support of a very experienced teacher. The aim is that you will have an enjoyable time making lace and will go home with the confidence to work independently.

During the course, beginners will learn the essential techniques of lacemaking: how to prepare a pricking, how to wind bobbins, how to dress their pillow correctly and how to work the basic stitches. They will also be given advice on books, suppliers and on continuing their lacemaking at home.

Those lacemakers with previous experience will build on their skills and extend their knowledge of this traditional craft. They will choose a pattern in consultation with the tutor, prior to the workshop, in order to fully profit from the course.

You will receive individual instruction on your chosen lace. The tutor will give demonstrations to small groups, as appropriate, and have examples of lace, lace books and other displays of lace available during the course. There will be opportunities to discuss topics of interest with other lacemakers and to review the work of the course.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

What students need to bring

  • Those with lacemaking experience, please bring your usual lacemaking equipment and a notebook and pen. Once you have discussed your pattern with the tutor, to save time, please wind your bobbins, prick and mark your pattern in preparation for the course.
  • Complete beginners are advised to contact the tutor as soon as you receive confirmation that you are booked on the course. Please email: bookingsoffice@westdean.ac.uk. The tutor will be able to lend you all the equipment and supply the materials, if you contact her beforehand.
  • If you have any examples of bobbin lace, photographs, slides or anything which would be of interest to other course members, please bring them with you.
  • Reading glasses, if worn

Available to buy

  • Available from tutor:
  • Lace thread for beginners will cost £3 per student.

Tutors

Jan Tregidgo

Jan is a very experienced lace maker and teacher. She is a fully qualified teacher (B.Ed Hons) and was taught Bobbin Lacemaking by the legendary tutors Miss E. Dawson of Speen and Margaret Tite. She was commissioned to write, Torchon LaceMaking - A Step by Step Guide, first published in 2010 with two reprints.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or a Diploma in Art and Contemporary Crafts (10 three-day study blocks, over two years). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.

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