This is the best tutorial I have seen so far for bobbin lace. Adding the words "twist" and "cross" fixed everything for me. I don't know how you did that. Magical!
I LOVE YOU...!!! I LOVE YOU...!!! I LOVE YOU...!!! This, your first basic tutorial on bobbin lace making, has just untangled all the scrambled knots and obscure corners of my brain...!!! I am 85 and all through those years this was like a dream to me, impossible to reach but always wanting to learn, and given up as unattainable several times... You just simply told me, visually and in a sure gentle way to: "Understand..." and I did... FINALLY...!!! I did it... I finally understood...!!! Thank you sooo very very much... Now I can go in peace but, before, I will learn and make something to prove to myself that I could also add this to my collection of hand arts... Thanks...! I have subscribed and will follow you... "OSU Madre Panchita, who are in heaven..."
My partner and I started watching the last of us recently, and for once I got no nightmares. Yesterday I watched this clip since I'd like to learn making bobbin lace and this morning I dreamt (no nightmare) about making bobbin lace in my car, correct stitches and all! Except once where I realised in the dream that I'd got it wrong - and corrected it. XD I just wanted to share, cause I found it funny and also to say thank you so much for a great tutorial! Now it's about time I start trying while awake. Once again, thank you for your work!
I'm very happy to find your channel. I have had a plan to learn bobbin lace for over 40 years, and I finally just acquired a roll pillow kit. This is so helpful to get me started. My 2024 New Year's resolution is to fill up my granddaughter's hope chest with traditional fabric art. I just purchased a vintage baby doll I am going to dress in bobbin lace and embroidered silk, for her future daughter, even granddaughter. I am so excited!
Watching you work, I have to agree that bobbin lace is a form of weaving. I always wondered how cloth could be woven with threads only anchored at the top of the work. Now I know. Thank you for a very informative video.
Bryce, this is such an elegant tutorial. I wish I'd seen this before I sold my bobbins and pillow years ago. That was before the University of RUclips, alas. Thank you very, very much. I'm re-inspired to try again.
Brilliant video! I already know how to do these basic stitches, but it’s good to get a refresher as it’s been a while since I last did any lace. My favourite moment of this video was the absolute revelation of how you described the cross and twist. Crossing the centre 2 bobbins and twisting each pair is such a simple way to think of it! I learnt it as “2 over 3” then “2 and 4 over 1 and 3”. I mean it’s the same thing, but your description of the actions are so much simpler! Also loved that you showed how those basic stitches are used in complex lace designs at the end!
Wow, I've never tackled handmade lace, but this was clear enough that I am encouraged to try it! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all this! The closeup detail shots were especially helpful to see how the threads were forming the length of material. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
What a wonderful tutorial. I have watched many. I also weave and needle tat and I love how you point out the differences and similarities. For a total beginner, you are the instructor I will recommend.
Ty! I got my bobbins and pillow from my grandma a year ago, but I’ve only practiced it 2 times before she died. I’m finally picking it up again and this is helping a lot!
It is the first time I've seen this process, though, of course, have enjoyed the productions through time, but your marvelous tutelage and the mad complexity of the art leave me breathless. I do needle lace casually, but having played the piano for decades, there is something to the pattern and eye and hand which had me glued to watching you play. I will consider it - the exquisite examples you showed have me curious. Bless you for such a clear presentation.💐
Hi Bryce, I have enjoyed your videos thank you for sharing your bobbin lace tutorials. I have been doing bobbin lace for about a year but consider myself still a beginner. You are a awesome instructor and easy to follow. Thank you also for the historical information. I am a quilter and will be adding bobbin lace to some of my guilts. Please make more videos and thanks so much 💖
It is 2 years later that you gave this tutorial, but you are explaining so clear. I am not doing bobbin lace yet,but i am going to start soon. Thank you for this video. 💛🧡💛
My teacher liked to confuse me with misinformation so I really appreciate accurate info presented clearly as well as the "extras" of how the stitches combine in more ambitious patterns.
A brilliant video, thank you so much!!! You make it seem so much simpler than the book I’ve been using! Inspiring, and superb, clear teaching. Thank you again!!!
Your videos are so helpful and clear! Thank you for sharing your lace making and historical sewing with us. I'm interested in learning how to make bobbin lace and gave up when I tried to teach myself to tat over 2 decades ago. You've given me the courage to try again.
I've just come across your channel today, and I have to say I'm really intrigued! Your video on making a cookie style bobbin lace pillow, and also your video on using household items to stand in for actual pillows and bobbins? It's really useful to see an experienced craftsperson try and then approve cheaper stand-ins so that I can try the art and see if I want to continue before really making an investment! One thing I'm thinking about: as I watched this video, I was reminded, by the multi-strand braid, of the really complex friendship bracelets that were really popular (still are? I don't know) a few years back. It might be an opportunity to get younger folks interested, especially ones who made some really cool bracelets and then didn't have more challenging projects available to them through that? Just a thought.
I'm so excited! I purchased everything I need to get started and now I'm watching your videos to get a head start! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your beautiful skills with everyone.
You've made this look so very "do-able"! Thank you so very much. And the end where you show the laces and what the stitches are for the patterns makes me say "I can do this!" Not nearly as complicated as it seemed just 30 min. ago! :D. I've ordered bobbins and a couple of books, now to make a pillow so I can start when they arrive. Again, thank you!
Thank you for this video.. l was learning bobbin lace in Australia before l moved to Alabama in usa.. my pillow wS stored away and l have not seen it in a very long time and forgotten all of what l learned… l had a tiny doily on the pillow 1/2 done .. and all the pins had rusted and bobbins were tangled, so l cut them off, cleaned 112 bobbins of old thread and l am eager to learn again.. your video has inspired me to get back into it ..🥰
This was so informative! I've just begun with lace making and many patterns just presume you know what to do. This is an awesome introduction that gives me more of an idea what these patterns are about. So thank you.
Thank you for this. I have been trying to learn bobbin lace several times from some beginners books that I have, but I never made it beyond the first 5 pair patterns, until yesterday, after watching your tutorial. I am now doing a test of a 12 pair pattern combining the two basic stitches and it is working out great, but terribly slow. I would love tutorials on other types of stitches, especially how to make picots.
Looks to me like the half stitch band shares similarities with a bias cut band, but a bit more stable. It has the stretch and flexibility of bias but maybe has a little better recovery? Wholestitch is more like weaving, less stretch, and more stability. Fascinating!
I absolutely agree! Bobbin Lace is just the most beautiful art form there is. 😊 My next video is going to be recreating a little bobbin lace trim from an Edwardian tea gown. You’ll get to see process in action a little more. Stay tuned!
Thank you so much for your high quality videos! 😀 I forced my mother to run up to her attic and find her old pillow and bobbins, I'm so eager to get started! 😁
Now I know how to read the lace :) Very clear instructions, visually appealing and extremely to the point and relevant. I am thankful that you included the butterfly. I love artwork like that!
I love handmade lace and have always wanted to try bobbin lace. Your excellent video has inspired me to want to try. I enjoy sewing for my antique dolls and these beautiful lace trims would be so pretty and appropriate for their costumes!😊
I really appreciated your approach in this video. I scanned through your other videos, looking for a video of bobbin lace with an edge, but sadly, I was not successful.
Thank you for this helpful video! It was my pleasure to stick to the end, as you say ;-) I am only a beginner, but the bug has gotten me trying to make more patterns and designs. The comparison between the hand-made and machine laces answers a lot of questions. Best wishes!
I am super excited to see your next bobbin lace video. I’m always looking to learn new skills and as a seamstress/ designer I like to learn how all aspects of garments are made. I may end up making some bobbin lace myself in the future as it is something that I have been interested in for a while and have a garment in mind that I could most definitely use it on. Bryce keep up the great work on your videos!
Thank you! 😊 Yeah, I feel like quality lace is sadly so often overlooked, and it makes such a difference in a final garment. It’s really heartening to see that there is a growing interest.
Thank you so much for this. I have been wanting to make my own lace for a long time. I tried knitting lace and while I enjoyed it, it made my brain hurt and I won't be able to make enough lace that way for my purposes. This is what I feel like I can do to complement my historical sewing 💜
Thank you so much for making these videos! I've always wanted to learn bobbin lace but was too intimidated to try. Your videos make it seem so possible.
Perfect. I've done the half stitch before when I first got my kit. That whole stitch is exactly what I want to try now. I'm going to do this and then use the (hopefully decent) result as tape to try needle lace. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this, thank you for reminding me. :)
Wonderful! Yes, it should work perfectly. 😊 There are lots of different patterned tapes used in tape lace, so making it yourself by hand will give you limitless customization opportunities. Are you on Instagram? I’d love to see your works in progress!
You did a wonderful job at doing this sampler. I just wish that you'd explained how you added the extra pairs of bobbins when you transitioned from the braid to the half stitch. That said, BRAVO!
a j Thanks! Yeah, so, adding more pairs of bobbins is actually really simple. You can see I added a pin to finish the braid and keep it in place for the transition. I just hung extra pairs on that pin, and started the new stitch. Hopefully that helps a little. When I get into doing patterns with stitch transitions, I’ll be showing it in more detail, but I had to cut out so many little things and this video was still 30 minutes long. Thanks for the feedback, though! I will definitely keep that in mind. 😊
First video I've seen of you 12 min in but good job! Thanks for putting in the work n being a source of free knowledge to us. I hope you enjoy it for yourself. Have a nice rest of your day :) Christina :)
I can see now why in the movie "1776" Abigail Adams complained of not being able to find any pins for sale. This hobby uses so many pins! If ladies were commonly creating their own lace like this it would definitely create a strain on the pin market. I had heard of women collecting pins, and using "pin money" for personal expenditures, but this makes it all make more sense.
She would also have needed pins to get dressed. The primary closures on women’s clothes at the time were ties (like on her petticoat, which had ties for both the front and back half of the waistband), lacing (like the spiral lacing on her stays) and pins (holding her jacket closed, or holding up her stomacher if she was wearing one and it wasn’t held in place by lacing, and then holding the edges of her jacket or gown/robe in place at the front).
I'm a complete beginner. I just received an antique pillow and stand with hundreds of bobbins, thread and pins. So many patterns too! I'm watching your video and can't quite figure out how you introduced from four to eight bobbins.
Wow! What an amazing collection to have. Especially the patterns, those are hard to find. 😊 So, here I just put a pin in the path of the work and hung two more pairs of bottoms off of it. Then I just used them as though they had always been there, incorporating them into the pattern. It’s one of the easier ways to add bobbins, but there are lots of different ways to add them depending on your pattern, stitches, and the effect that you want to make with them. There’s a great book that shows many different ways to add and remove pairs of bobbins as well as different ways to incorporate braids and stitches and things, called, “Practical Skills in Bobbin Lace” by Bridget M. Cook. It’s a little on the advanced side, but it’s one of my favorites because it shows theory more than necessarily a progression of patterns to follow. Thank you for bringing it up, it’s a topic that can use a closer look. I will add it to my videos-to-make list. 😊
Miss Bryce, you are amazing art instructor of this area. With this class was easy to understand the basic movement of the stitches. I appreciate your dedication and continue promoting this old bobbing lace.🌻
Thank you for making these videos, the bobin lace and the picot lace are lovely, and I have been wanting to learn about this for a long time. looking forward to seeing what you make next, again thank you
Mesmerising! I came across your video on the off-chance, loved what I saw and was impressed with your teaching technique. Lace making is definitely something I’m going to try, you’ve certainly whetted my appetite for this amazing craft. Thank you!
Oh I am living for this! I've been having thoughts of making a lace collar with matching cuffs for an 1840's dress I'm hand sewing, but have been too intimidated to even know how or where to begin... This is both very motivating and instructive on how to start, and I definitely hoping for more videos on other stitches and patterns! :D
Yes! That is exactly my goal. I got so frustrated seeing people spending so much time and effort on these beautiful hand-made gowns, and then thinking their only options for lace is whatever machine made lace they can find in the store. Making it yourself is so much less expensive, and it’s really fun and satisfying to do! So, yeah, you’ve hit the nail right on the head. I’ve got lots more coming on how to make your own patterns or use existing artifacts as inspiration. Stay tuned!
This is really interesting! It reminds me a lot of macrame honestly I wonder if they have any similar origins. At least the way the threads are organized and some of the movements. Thank you for this video!
I'm jus' gettin' inte bobbin lace. Got a House of Crafts kit in the post, an' 30 wooden bobbins on the way from an Etsy seller in Dunfermline(good hing, as I'm also in a place in Fife), as well as x2 secondhand books on Torchon lace. I started lace wi' crochet, via an Innocent World pattern in a Gothic & Lolita, the dabbled in Irish Crochet. Also dabbled in lace knitting. But, I always look't at ma lolita clothing & wondered how the weaved lookin' cotton lace edgin's & inserts were made. I try't te imitate wi' crochet, but it didny sit the same, an' wasny gonne wirk fir sock toppers & wrist cuffs. So, I wanted te make ma own. So XD long story short: Thank you for the video. It really help't inspire me. I feel confident about learnin' & tryin', an' eventually designin' ma own patterns fir lolita fashion lace wristcuffs, an' ankle & crew & knee sock toppers. That's me subscribed d(^____^)
I started to make bobbin lace for the first time in my life today, thanks to your video. Please show how to make a cute thin one-sided lace :) This way as a beginner I could make something I can put on my clothes :) Also, I order the Encyclopedia from eBay. So hopefully will be getting some guidance from there as well.
Thank you for another fascinating video Bryce! The tinkling of the bobbins is very calming and almost musical. I noticed that a couple of your bobbins were getting low on thread towards the end, could you show us in a future video how to add a fresh thread to an existing piece of lacework you're working on? There's another channel I watched called Natalie and Tara Try Stuff. They're both into filmmaking and costuming. This would be an awesome thing for them to try and they're looking for collaborators for future episodes of their show.
Hey this tutorial is great! I am just starting out and I was hoping you could do a fan edging... maybe emphasizing the straight edge? The books are a bit confusing and so can’t find a great video. Please 💜
My mind is BLOWN!! 🤯 Thank you for such an articulate tutorial and the demonstration of how the stitches look in a larger piece! I had always discounted bobbin lace because I couldn't wrap my head around it, but this video has me inspired to give it a go!
I have a slight “mad” idea: bobbin lace out of reflective thread, to sew onto a winter coat. Would it be prettier with all reflective thread, or a combination of “normal” (probably black to match the coat) thread?
I love watching you work . I am considering trying this craft. My question is which bobbin is easiest for a beginner? I have seen long, short, straight, ones with a “bulb” at the bottom, and ones with “jewelry” at the bottom. What are the beaded loops at the end of some bobbins for? How many bobbins should a beginner have? Thank you for any and all information.
Personally, I like the ones with the bulb at the bottom because I feel like I can govern the tension better with them. "Spangles" are the beaded loops at the bottom of straight bobbins, and more than just decoration they keep the bobbins from rolling off the side of the pillow, which is a plus. Honestly, I think that whatever you are most drawn to will be the best for you, unless you're trying to specifically emulate a region. They all preform the same function, and when you get frustrated or find that you have to undo a large amount of work or something, it's nice to have tools that you like to look at and feel to keep you going and motivated. 😊
Thank you for the referral to Van Sciver bobbin lace online they were so helpful and I found everything needed for a beginner like me. She recommended a beginner book by Elizabeth Wade.
I know thread crochet, knit, quilting, sewing clothing. I've wanted to learn bobbin lace for years, now I can order my supplies....woohoo. Christmas for me will be grand. I love your tutorials on step by step, then I won't get lost. What beginner-intermediate books would you recommend? I saw the book vid you put up, but I want to know which would you recommend for my beginner level to advance with that has actual patterns to practice with?
My 3 favorite books that start with the most basic patterns and progress to more and more complicated ones are “The Technique of Bobbin Lace“ by Pamela Nottingham, “The Torchon Lace Workbook“ by Bridget Cook, and “The Bobbin Lace Manual“ by Geraldine Stott.” I learned a lot from “The Encyclopedia of Needlework” early in my lacemaking journey, but it is a very old book, and moves pretty quickly because it covers so many different types of needlework. These three books I mentioned are, as far as I know, still in print and are fairly easy to find. They have big easy to understand patterns, and a lot of instruction for each pattern. They also progress at a rate slow enough to give you plenty of practice with a stitch before moving on to the next one. 😊 I hope that helps. Let me know how it goes!
Thank you for this video! I was wondering if you could tell us more about the lace pieces you show after the 24 mins mark. Namely what kind of lace they are and if you knew where we could purchase the patterns :)
Well, let’s see. There’s a little bit of everything. Some are my own patterns, some are antiques. One of the pieces was a pattern from “The Bobbin Lace Manual,” by Geraldine Stott. The butterfly is loosely based on a couple found in a book called “Schmetterling,” a book of bobbin lace patterns for butterflies. It’s in German, but prickings are the same in any language. In my “Introduction to Bobbin Lace” video, I go over a handful of my favorite books, most of them have patterns in them. 😊
quick question. How much thread is usually used? I was practicing along and I think mine were a little long (i wound more around to shorten the threads). I also used household items!
Dear Bryce, I am your seven hundredth subscriber and very happy to have found your videos. I am a historically inspired crafter. I knit, crochet and shuttle tat. I have spent years collecting electronic versions of antique cookbooks, as well as household and needlework manuals. I collect electronic versions of these things because I am blind but still love history and beautiful things. Do you think a blind person can make bobbin lace? I love your videos even if I never make anything from them. I look forward to more tatting and bobbin lace videos. Happy lacing and tatting. Tiffany
ablindgibsongirl Thank you! Yes, there are lots more to come (as time and my children permit.) 😊 I am very impressed that you do all of these thread arts as well. Absolutely inspiring. As to your question about whether or not a blind person can learn to make bobbin lace ... I think it may be harder than knitting, crocheting, and tatting because with those you can kind of feel each stitch as you make it, whereas with bobbin lace you’re removed from all that by the bobbins, and don’t really come in contact with the thread itself very much. That being said, anything is possible with enough endeavor. Bobbins are very organized and the choreography of the stitches is quite capable of being made by feel. I would defiantly try it on a flatter pillow where your bobbins can be laid out, rather than a on bolster pillow where they hang in groups, although I’m sure there have been many lace makers with varying levels of blindness who can do either. Another thing you may want to consider is the pricking. If you try it without a pattern, just free form, you can guide your lace based on the pins that came before. But if you want to use a pattern, you may want to have it already “pricked,” meaning that all the pin position marks are already poked so you could feel where they are. It’s an intriguing question. It sounds like you already know your way around thread arts pretty well, so I would imagine that you could absolutely make it work. I would love to hear about it if you do decide to give it a try. What kind of bobbin lace things were challenging and how you ended up overcoming them. Best of luck! 🧵💕
Bryce Adams Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I have found another youtube channel called the lace owl, a very nice lady named Sandra has been bobbin lacing for thirty five years. The combination of both of your videos helped me feel confident enough to purchase a beginner kit from snow goose a stack of index cards for patterns. I even found my tracing wheel and dot maker from school. Sandra says to prick the pinholes in advance making it much easier to place the pins as I go. Is their a risk of all the hard work coming undone, how do you remove pins without losing the work?
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥️ Second this seems to click in my brain easier than with the shuttle but I have a question... I inherited like a long u a bit wider than your design it has a piece that slides on both sides up or down and I don’t know how it is used especially trying to comprehend as I am trying to go through it all at once and then going back to the beginning to master the first one first. But I would love to know how that piece is used.
Glad to have found you. I am undertaking the historical dress making thing. The difficulty in finding quality lace and the expense - plus an appreciation for the craft - has made me want to begin to learn it. I have sent off for a simple kit and some books, just to start very basic. I will replace things as I go. May I ask a question? I want to work up to making very fine lace work. I sometimes find the modern work looks a bit chunky, like crochet lace. I once read that is is no longer possible to buy the delicate thread used by our foremothers. Therefore, it is impossible to make delicate bobbin lace. Is this true?
I absolutely agree about modern “chunky” bobbin lace. It doesn’t look historical at all. Even the best I can find at Heirloom Sewing suppliers still has a fluffy quality to it. (Which is one of the reasons I started my channel. I wanted people to know that they can produce their own lace that would be much more historically effective. 😉) Once you’re ready to try it, I would start with regular sewing thread. It is pretty thin, strong, economical, and very easy to find. Just don’t forget to scale down your pattern accordingly. If you want to dive a little deeper, I would suggest a phone call to Holly Van Sciver, of van Sciver bobbin lace. She is very nice and has a huge knowledge of what threads are out there these days. Good luck!
@@BryceHistorically Thank you! Funnily enough, I have just been watching your video again. I have found your teaching really helpful. The kit I bought took an eternity to put together, and without your videos wouldn't have been possible to understand. Since I wrote the above, I have seen some more of your videos, like the 1910 blouse, which shows some really delicate work is possible. I must say, I wonder that some company hasn't caught on to the trend in historical sewing work, and produced threads to accommodate this market. I have heard other people working in the field saying they can't buy thread made in the particular way it once was. This can make a difference to how a garment turns out. I worked in the entertainment industry for some years, and there were directors that insisted on 100% historical accuracy in our costumes. Then, there are people turning against fast fashion, and learning to make their own clothes. This being made easier by experienced people doing RUclips videos! What I am ultimately saying is, I am sure there is a market for historical threads. I suppose if a company did, they would charge the earth for each spool. Then people wouldn't buy them. Then the company would conclude there wasn't a viable market and cease production 🤦♀I'm not bitter lol. I will make a note of your recommendation of Holly Van Sciver. I live in England so I would have to email, but I'm sure that is easy to find. I am so new to this I didn't realise you could use sewing thread. Thank you for taking the time to share all this information. Let the lace making commence!
This is the best tutorial I have seen so far for bobbin lace. Adding the words "twist" and "cross" fixed everything for me. I don't know how you did that. Magical!
I LOVE YOU...!!! I LOVE YOU...!!! I LOVE YOU...!!! This, your first basic tutorial on bobbin lace making, has just untangled all the scrambled knots and obscure corners of my brain...!!! I am 85 and all through those years this was like a dream to me, impossible to reach but always wanting to learn, and given up as unattainable several times... You just simply told me, visually and in a sure gentle way to: "Understand..." and I did... FINALLY...!!! I did it... I finally understood...!!! Thank you sooo very very much... Now I can go in peace but, before, I will learn and make something to prove to myself that I could also add this to my collection of hand arts... Thanks...! I have subscribed and will follow you... "OSU Madre Panchita, who are in heaven..."
My partner and I started watching the last of us recently, and for once I got no nightmares. Yesterday I watched this clip since I'd like to learn making bobbin lace and this morning I dreamt (no nightmare) about making bobbin lace in my car, correct stitches and all! Except once where I realised in the dream that I'd got it wrong - and corrected it. XD I just wanted to share, cause I found it funny and also to say thank you so much for a great tutorial! Now it's about time I start trying while awake. Once again, thank you for your work!
I'm very happy to find your channel. I have had a plan to learn bobbin lace for over 40 years, and I finally just acquired a roll pillow kit. This is so helpful to get me started. My 2024 New Year's resolution is to fill up my granddaughter's hope chest with traditional fabric art. I just purchased a vintage baby doll I am going to dress in bobbin lace and embroidered silk, for her future daughter, even granddaughter. I am so excited!
Watching you work, I have to agree that bobbin lace is a form of weaving. I always wondered how cloth could be woven with threads only anchored at the top of the work. Now I know. Thank you for a very informative video.
So, a friend heard i was interested in lace making, and gave me their grandmothers old bobbins, so natrually, here i am, ready to learn. Thanks.
Bryce, this is such an elegant tutorial. I wish I'd seen this before I sold my bobbins and pillow years ago. That was before the University of RUclips, alas. Thank you very, very much. I'm re-inspired to try again.
Bonnie Peavy Thank you. 😊 What a shame about your pillow and bobbins, but I’m excited to hear you’re re-inspired!
This is so beautifully and thoroughly explained I’m happy to watch it 3 years later
Thank you so much for showing how and why it’s similar to weaving and braiding-I really feel like I get it now!!! Excited to give it a go :D
Brilliant video! I already know how to do these basic stitches, but it’s good to get a refresher as it’s been a while since I last did any lace. My favourite moment of this video was the absolute revelation of how you described the cross and twist. Crossing the centre 2 bobbins and twisting each pair is such a simple way to think of it! I learnt it as “2 over 3” then “2 and 4 over 1 and 3”. I mean it’s the same thing, but your description of the actions are so much simpler! Also loved that you showed how those basic stitches are used in complex lace designs at the end!
I also learnt the number way.
Wow, I've never tackled handmade lace, but this was clear enough that I am encouraged to try it! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all this! The closeup detail shots were especially helpful to see how the threads were forming the length of material. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
Thank you 😊
What a wonderful tutorial. I have watched many. I also weave and needle tat and I love how you point out the differences and similarities. For a total beginner, you are the instructor I will recommend.
Ty! I got my bobbins and pillow from my grandma a year ago, but I’ve only practiced it 2 times before she died. I’m finally picking it up again and this is helping a lot!
The parts of the video where you included a zoomed in box in the corner were sooo helpful in understanding what was happening visually
Thank you. 😊
Wowzers... I watched all the way through and didn't even realize it was over 30 minutes until you said it was a long video...totally captivating ❤
you broke it down so well....it actually seems doable to me now! Many thanks for sharing this in such a great way
Thank you 😊
It is the first time I've seen this process, though, of course, have enjoyed the productions through time, but your marvelous tutelage and the mad complexity of the art leave me breathless. I do needle lace casually, but having played the piano for decades, there is something to the pattern and eye and hand which had me glued to watching you play. I will consider it - the exquisite examples you showed have me curious. Bless you for such a clear presentation.💐
Hi Bryce, I have enjoyed your videos thank you for sharing your bobbin lace tutorials. I have been doing bobbin lace for about a year but consider myself still a beginner. You are a awesome instructor and easy to follow. Thank you also for the historical information. I am a quilter and will be adding bobbin lace to some of my guilts. Please make more videos and thanks so much 💖
Thank you so much! Yes, I’ve got lots more lacemaking (and historical sewing) videos coming ... as fast as all my little kids will let me 😉
Bobbin lace looks so intimidating but this was very easy to understand. Thank you!
I have learned a lot from you today. Makes me want to het my bobbins out of storage and give it a go. It is years since my last attempt
It is 2 years later that you gave this tutorial, but you are explaining so clear. I am not doing bobbin lace yet,but i am going to start soon.
Thank you for this video. 💛🧡💛
Thank you 😊
Watching this is so relaxing, it actually helps me with my anxiety. I could watch you make lace for hours
Best tutorial on bobbin lace making. I tat and am thinking about taking up bobbins.
Thank you so much! 😊
I have been looking for years on how to make bobbin lace and you have made it so understandable, thank you so much.
Thank you 😊
My teacher liked to confuse me with misinformation so I really appreciate accurate info presented clearly as well as the "extras" of how the stitches combine in more ambitious patterns.
A brilliant video, thank you so much!!! You make it seem so much simpler than the book I’ve been using! Inspiring, and superb, clear teaching. Thank you again!!!
Your videos are so helpful and clear! Thank you for sharing your lace making and historical sewing with us. I'm interested in learning how to make bobbin lace and gave up when I tried to teach myself to tat over 2 decades ago. You've given me the courage to try again.
Thank you for all this time and effort to help new to bobbin lace crafters like me get started.
After an Anik Staas silk scarf I put my beautiful bobbins away in 2018. Finally ready for a new project. Nice refresher for me and wonderful examples.
I've just come across your channel today, and I have to say I'm really intrigued! Your video on making a cookie style bobbin lace pillow, and also your video on using household items to stand in for actual pillows and bobbins? It's really useful to see an experienced craftsperson try and then approve cheaper stand-ins so that I can try the art and see if I want to continue before really making an investment!
One thing I'm thinking about: as I watched this video, I was reminded, by the multi-strand braid, of the really complex friendship bracelets that were really popular (still are? I don't know) a few years back. It might be an opportunity to get younger folks interested, especially ones who made some really cool bracelets and then didn't have more challenging projects available to them through that?
Just a thought.
I'm so excited! I purchased everything I need to get started and now I'm watching your videos to get a head start! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your beautiful skills with everyone.
You've made this look so very "do-able"! Thank you so very much. And the end where you show the laces and what the stitches are for the patterns makes me say "I can do this!" Not nearly as complicated as it seemed just 30 min. ago! :D. I've ordered bobbins and a couple of books, now to make a pillow so I can start when they arrive. Again, thank you!
Yay! You are so welcome. 😊
Thank you for this video.. l was learning bobbin lace in Australia before l moved to Alabama in usa.. my pillow wS stored away and l have not seen it in a very long time and forgotten all of what l learned… l had a tiny doily on the pillow 1/2 done .. and all the pins had rusted and bobbins were tangled, so l cut them off, cleaned 112 bobbins of old thread and l am eager to learn again.. your video has inspired me to get back into it ..🥰
Thank you for an inspiring video! Also, the sound of the bobbins clinking together was very calming.
Matilda Taube Thank you! I’m glad you noticed the bobbin clinking. It’s one of my very favorite sounds. 😊
This was so informative! I've just begun with lace making and many patterns just presume you know what to do. This is an awesome introduction that gives me more of an idea what these patterns are about. So thank you.
Thank you so much 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful talent! I have tried to learn to tat and do bobbin work with no success . 👍😌
Thank you for this. I have been trying to learn bobbin lace several times from some beginners books that I have, but I never made it beyond the first 5 pair patterns, until yesterday, after watching your tutorial. I am now doing a test of a 12 pair pattern combining the two basic stitches and it is working out great, but terribly slow. I would love tutorials on other types of stitches, especially how to make picots.
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Looks to me like the half stitch band shares similarities with a bias cut band, but a bit more stable. It has the stretch and flexibility of bias but maybe has a little better recovery? Wholestitch is more like weaving, less stretch, and more stability. Fascinating!
I can’t even. Like seriously I just can’t it’s too amazing, and how does it get joined to itself
I absolutely agree! Bobbin Lace is just the most beautiful art form there is. 😊 My next video is going to be recreating a little bobbin lace trim from an Edwardian tea gown. You’ll get to see process in action a little more. Stay tuned!
Thank you so much for your high quality videos! 😀 I forced my mother to run up to her attic and find her old pillow and bobbins, I'm so eager to get started! 😁
i found a complete kit at the thriftstore yesterday for 3 Euros. It has the tread, bobbins, pins and everything. I am so going to try this!!
I love how you take the time to explain everything! subscribed, and can't wait to see more ;)
pay1370 Yay, thank you! 😊
Now I know how to read the lace :) Very clear instructions, visually appealing and extremely to the point and relevant. I am thankful that you included the butterfly. I love artwork like that!
Thank you! Yes, like weaving - reminds me of a viking loom. I am going to have to try this.
I love handmade lace and have always wanted to try bobbin lace. Your excellent video has inspired me to want to try. I enjoy sewing for my antique dolls and these beautiful lace trims would be so pretty and appropriate for their costumes!😊
I really appreciated your approach in this video. I scanned through your other videos, looking for a video of bobbin lace with an edge, but sadly, I was not successful.
I have an edging in "Recreating Antique Bobbin Lace, Part 2 Making the Lace"
ruclips.net/video/pgGEyecPsxU/видео.html
Thank you for this helpful video! It was my pleasure to stick to the end, as you say ;-) I am only a beginner, but the bug has gotten me trying to make more patterns and designs. The comparison between the hand-made and machine laces answers a lot of questions. Best wishes!
I am super excited to see your next bobbin lace video. I’m always looking to learn new skills and as a seamstress/ designer I like to learn how all aspects of garments are made. I may end up making some bobbin lace myself in the future as it is something that I have been interested in for a while and have a garment in mind that I could most definitely use it on. Bryce keep up the great work on your videos!
Thank you! 😊 Yeah, I feel like quality lace is sadly so often overlooked, and it makes such a difference in a final garment. It’s really heartening to see that there is a growing interest.
Thank you so much for this. I have been wanting to make my own lace for a long time. I tried knitting lace and while I enjoyed it, it made my brain hurt and I won't be able to make enough lace that way for my purposes. This is what I feel like I can do to complement my historical sewing 💜
Thank you so much for making these videos! I've always wanted to learn bobbin lace but was too intimidated to try. Your videos make it seem so possible.
Perfect. I've done the half stitch before when I first got my kit. That whole stitch is exactly what I want to try now. I'm going to do this and then use the (hopefully decent) result as tape to try needle lace. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this, thank you for reminding me. :)
Wonderful! Yes, it should work perfectly. 😊 There are lots of different patterned tapes used in tape lace, so making it yourself by hand will give you limitless customization opportunities. Are you on Instagram? I’d love to see your works in progress!
oh my gosh! im blown away! i didnt know how much work it was to creat this ❤️ im so in love with this! thank you for showing!
You did a wonderful job at doing this sampler. I just wish that you'd explained how you added the extra pairs of bobbins when you transitioned from the braid to the half stitch. That said, BRAVO!
a j Thanks! Yeah, so, adding more pairs of bobbins is actually really simple. You can see I added a pin to finish the braid and keep it in place for the transition. I just hung extra pairs on that pin, and started the new stitch. Hopefully that helps a little. When I get into doing patterns with stitch transitions, I’ll be showing it in more detail, but I had to cut out so many little things and this video was still 30 minutes long. Thanks for the feedback, though! I will definitely keep that in mind. 😊
First video I've seen of you 12 min in but good job! Thanks for putting in the work n being a source of free knowledge to us. I hope you enjoy it for yourself. Have a nice rest of your day :)
Christina :)
I can see now why in the movie "1776" Abigail Adams complained of not being able to find any pins for sale. This hobby uses so many pins! If ladies were commonly creating their own lace like this it would definitely create a strain on the pin market. I had heard of women collecting pins, and using "pin money" for personal expenditures, but this makes it all make more sense.
She would also have needed pins to get dressed. The primary closures on women’s clothes at the time were ties (like on her petticoat, which had ties for both the front and back half of the waistband), lacing (like the spiral lacing on her stays) and pins (holding her jacket closed, or holding up her stomacher if she was wearing one and it wasn’t held in place by lacing, and then holding the edges of her jacket or gown/robe in place at the front).
I'm a complete beginner. I just received an antique pillow and stand with hundreds of bobbins, thread and pins. So many patterns too! I'm watching your video and can't quite figure out how you introduced from four to eight bobbins.
Wow! What an amazing collection to have. Especially the patterns, those are hard to find. 😊 So, here I just put a pin in the path of the work and hung two more pairs of bottoms off of it. Then I just used them as though they had always been there, incorporating them into the pattern. It’s one of the easier ways to add bobbins, but there are lots of different ways to add them depending on your pattern, stitches, and the effect that you want to make with them. There’s a great book that shows many different ways to add and remove pairs of bobbins as well as different ways to incorporate braids and stitches and things, called, “Practical Skills in Bobbin Lace” by Bridget M. Cook. It’s a little on the advanced side, but it’s one of my favorites because it shows theory more than necessarily a progression of patterns to follow. Thank you for bringing it up, it’s a topic that can use a closer look. I will add it to my videos-to-make list. 😊
Miss Bryce, you are amazing art instructor of this area. With this class was easy to understand the basic movement of the stitches. I appreciate your dedication and continue promoting this old bobbing lace.🌻
Thank you for making these videos, the bobin lace and the picot lace are lovely, and I have been wanting to learn about this for a long time. looking forward to seeing what you make next, again thank you
Hi Bryce, Enjoying your Bobbin Lace videos. The lace is so beautiful. Blessings and take care. Mary
Mesmerising! I came across your video on the off-chance, loved what I saw and was impressed with your teaching technique. Lace making is definitely something I’m going to try, you’ve certainly whetted my appetite for this amazing craft. Thank you!
Oh I am living for this! I've been having thoughts of making a lace collar with matching cuffs for an 1840's dress I'm hand sewing, but have been too intimidated to even know how or where to begin... This is both very motivating and instructive on how to start, and I definitely hoping for more videos on other stitches and patterns! :D
Yes! That is exactly my goal. I got so frustrated seeing people spending so much time and effort on these beautiful hand-made gowns, and then thinking their only options for lace is whatever machine made lace they can find in the store. Making it yourself is so much less expensive, and it’s really fun and satisfying to do! So, yeah, you’ve hit the nail right on the head. I’ve got lots more coming on how to make your own patterns or use existing artifacts as inspiration. Stay tuned!
@@BryceHistorically This make me so happy and very excited! :D
This is really interesting! It reminds me a lot of macrame honestly I wonder if they have any similar origins. At least the way the threads are organized and some of the movements. Thank you for this video!
This is so similar to finger loop braiding! I'll have to try it, thank you for showing the similarity
These art forms produce such stunning work!! Your videos are well paced and clear. Happy New Year!
Thank you! And Happy New Year to you, too.
I'm jus' gettin' inte bobbin lace. Got a House of Crafts kit in the post, an' 30 wooden bobbins on the way from an Etsy seller in Dunfermline(good hing, as I'm also in a place in Fife), as well as x2 secondhand books on Torchon lace. I started lace wi' crochet, via an Innocent World pattern in a Gothic & Lolita, the dabbled in Irish Crochet. Also dabbled in lace knitting. But, I always look't at ma lolita clothing & wondered how the weaved lookin' cotton lace edgin's & inserts were made. I try't te imitate wi' crochet, but it didny sit the same, an' wasny gonne wirk fir sock toppers & wrist cuffs. So, I wanted te make ma own.
So XD long story short: Thank you for the video. It really help't inspire me. I feel confident about learnin' & tryin', an' eventually designin' ma own patterns fir lolita fashion lace wristcuffs, an' ankle & crew & knee sock toppers.
That's me subscribed d(^____^)
It is so lovely to see someone both interested in historical costuming and bobbin lace. Have you ever thought of making a 18th century engageante?
This is so similar to hair braiding, I love it!
Love.your video...going to.try it.... Please post more videos on how to read patterns and make more.designs..
Love it! Love it! I just starting with this beautiful art! Thank you for your teachings!
I started to make bobbin lace for the first time in my life today, thanks to your video. Please show how to make a cute thin one-sided lace :) This way as a beginner I could make something I can put on my clothes :)
Also, I order the Encyclopedia from eBay. So hopefully will be getting some guidance from there as well.
Thank you for another fascinating video Bryce! The tinkling of the bobbins is very calming and almost musical. I noticed that a couple of your bobbins were getting low on thread towards the end, could you show us in a future video how to add a fresh thread to an existing piece of lacework you're working on?
There's another channel I watched called Natalie and Tara Try Stuff. They're both into filmmaking and costuming. This would be an awesome thing for them to try and they're looking for collaborators for future episodes of their show.
Brissy Girl Thank you. 😊 Oh yes, adding and removing bobbins is definitely on the list of upcoming videos.
Adding and removing bobbins ain't difficult, you'll see when she gets to that lesson. 😊
Hey this tutorial is great! I am just starting out and I was hoping you could do a fan edging... maybe emphasizing the straight edge? The books are a bit confusing and so can’t find a great video.
Please 💜
Thank for sharing, very useful for me starting out in torchon.
My mind is BLOWN!! 🤯 Thank you for such an articulate tutorial and the demonstration of how the stitches look in a larger piece! I had always discounted bobbin lace because I couldn't wrap my head around it, but this video has me inspired to give it a go!
Thank you so much for this video! Incredibly helpful and detailed. Much appreciation for you!
this is incredible, can't wait for the next one! thank you for taking the time to show this amazing technique!
So inspiring. Thank you! I'm gonna go try this out!
I have a slight “mad” idea: bobbin lace out of reflective thread, to sew onto a winter coat. Would it be prettier with all reflective thread, or a combination of “normal” (probably black to match the coat) thread?
Love, love, love this craft and I'm totally inspired. Thank you soo much!! 😍 😘
I love watching you work . I am considering trying this craft. My question is which bobbin is easiest for a beginner? I have seen long, short, straight, ones with a “bulb” at the bottom, and ones with “jewelry” at the bottom. What are the beaded loops at the end of some bobbins for? How many bobbins should a beginner have? Thank you for any and all information.
Personally, I like the ones with the bulb at the bottom because I feel like I can govern the tension better with them. "Spangles" are the beaded loops at the bottom of straight bobbins, and more than just decoration they keep the bobbins from rolling off the side of the pillow, which is a plus. Honestly, I think that whatever you are most drawn to will be the best for you, unless you're trying to specifically emulate a region. They all preform the same function, and when you get frustrated or find that you have to undo a large amount of work or something, it's nice to have tools that you like to look at and feel to keep you going and motivated. 😊
Wow sooo interesting ❤❤
I am going to try.
Wish you good luck from India
I visually get this! I just need to get some simple items to try this. In a world like today, how is this craft Best used?
Thank you for all you do teaching such a historical art!!! Just wondering how did you add bobbins in?
Awesome tutorial, so helpful!
You don’t know me, but I love you. 😍
Thank you for such a patient explanation.
You’re very welcome. 😊
Thank you very much! I can't wait for the leaves and spiders!
Thank you for the referral to Van Sciver bobbin lace online they were so helpful and I found everything needed for a beginner like me. She recommended a beginner book by Elizabeth Wade.
Yes! Isn’t she wonderful? She’s such a great resource, and her bobbin selection is amazing. 😊
I truly loved watching this video, I shall wait for a sequel or two. ;)
Wonderful video! I learned so much. Thank you!
Great Joy Bryce, beautiful art!
Thankyou very much I really appreciate this teaching.
I have a question. You did the braid. Then added more bobbins for the lace stitch. HOW/WHERE did you place the bobbins for that?
I know thread crochet, knit, quilting, sewing clothing. I've wanted to learn bobbin lace for years, now I can order my supplies....woohoo. Christmas for me will be grand. I love your tutorials on step by step, then I won't get lost. What beginner-intermediate books would you recommend? I saw the book vid you put up, but I want to know which would you recommend for my beginner level to advance with that has actual patterns to practice with?
My 3 favorite books that start with the most basic patterns and progress to more and more complicated ones are “The Technique of Bobbin Lace“ by Pamela Nottingham, “The Torchon Lace Workbook“ by Bridget Cook, and “The Bobbin Lace Manual“ by Geraldine Stott.” I learned a lot from “The Encyclopedia of Needlework” early in my lacemaking journey, but it is a very old book, and moves pretty quickly because it covers so many different types of needlework. These three books I mentioned are, as far as I know, still in print and are fairly easy to find. They have big easy to understand patterns, and a lot of instruction for each pattern. They also progress at a rate slow enough to give you plenty of practice with a stitch before moving on to the next one. 😊 I hope that helps. Let me know how it goes!
Wonderful instructions! Thank you!
Thank you for this video! I was wondering if you could tell us more about the lace pieces you show after the 24 mins mark. Namely what kind of lace they are and if you knew where we could purchase the patterns :)
Well, let’s see. There’s a little bit of everything. Some are my own patterns, some are antiques. One of the pieces was a pattern from “The Bobbin Lace Manual,” by Geraldine Stott. The butterfly is loosely based on a couple found in a book called “Schmetterling,” a book of bobbin lace patterns for butterflies. It’s in German, but prickings are the same in any language. In my “Introduction to Bobbin Lace” video, I go over a handful of my favorite books, most of them have patterns in them. 😊
This is giving me some big friendship making bracelet feelings. Like the repetitiveness and mentality feels very similar?
quick question. How much thread is usually used? I was practicing along and I think mine were a little long (i wound more around to shorten the threads). I also used household items!
Dear Bryce, I am your seven hundredth subscriber and very happy to have found your videos. I am a historically inspired crafter. I knit, crochet and shuttle tat. I have spent years collecting electronic versions of antique cookbooks, as well as household and needlework manuals. I collect electronic versions of these things because I am blind but still love history and beautiful things. Do you think a blind person can make bobbin lace? I love your videos even if I never make anything from them. I look forward to more tatting and bobbin lace videos. Happy lacing and tatting. Tiffany
ablindgibsongirl Thank you! Yes, there are lots more to come (as time and my children permit.) 😊 I am very impressed that you do all of these thread arts as well. Absolutely inspiring.
As to your question about whether or not a blind person can learn to make bobbin lace ... I think it may be harder than knitting, crocheting, and tatting because with those you can kind of feel each stitch as you make it, whereas with bobbin lace you’re removed from all that by the bobbins, and don’t really come in contact with the thread itself very much. That being said, anything is possible with enough endeavor. Bobbins are very organized and the choreography of the stitches is quite capable of being made by feel. I would defiantly try it on a flatter pillow where your bobbins can be laid out, rather than a on bolster pillow where they hang in groups, although I’m sure there have been many lace makers with varying levels of blindness who can do either. Another thing you may want to consider is the pricking. If you try it without a pattern, just free form, you can guide your lace based on the pins that came before. But if you want to use a pattern, you may want to have it already “pricked,” meaning that all the pin position marks are already poked so you could feel where they are.
It’s an intriguing question. It sounds like you already know your way around thread arts pretty well, so I would imagine that you could absolutely make it work. I would love to hear about it if you do decide to give it a try. What kind of bobbin lace things were challenging and how you ended up overcoming them.
Best of luck! 🧵💕
Bryce Adams Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I have found another youtube channel called the lace owl, a very nice lady named Sandra has been bobbin lacing for thirty five years. The combination of both of your videos helped me feel confident enough to purchase a beginner kit from snow goose a stack of index cards for patterns. I even found my tracing wheel and dot maker from school. Sandra says to prick the pinholes in advance making it much easier to place the pins as I go. Is their a risk of all the hard work coming undone, how do you remove pins without losing the work?
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥️ Second this seems to click in my brain easier than with the shuttle but I have a question... I inherited like a long u a bit wider than your design it has a piece that slides on both sides up or down and I don’t know how it is used especially trying to comprehend as I am trying to go through it all at once and then going back to the beginning to master the first one first. But I would love to know how that piece is used.
Hmmm. Maybe a Hairpin Lace tool?
And that’s what how and why to tatting?
Well, if that is indeed what it is, then it’s not a tatting tool, it’s a crochet tool.
Glad to have found you. I am undertaking the historical dress making thing. The difficulty in finding quality lace and the expense - plus an appreciation for the craft - has made me want to begin to learn it. I have sent off for a simple kit and some books, just to start very basic. I will replace things as I go. May I ask a question? I want to work up to making very fine lace work. I sometimes find the modern work looks a bit chunky, like crochet lace. I once read that is is no longer possible to buy the delicate thread used by our foremothers. Therefore, it is impossible to make delicate bobbin lace. Is this true?
I absolutely agree about modern “chunky” bobbin lace. It doesn’t look historical at all. Even the best I can find at Heirloom Sewing suppliers still has a fluffy quality to it. (Which is one of the reasons I started my channel. I wanted people to know that they can produce their own lace that would be much more historically effective. 😉) Once you’re ready to try it, I would start with regular sewing thread. It is pretty thin, strong, economical, and very easy to find. Just don’t forget to scale down your pattern accordingly. If you want to dive a little deeper, I would suggest a phone call to Holly Van Sciver, of van Sciver bobbin lace. She is very nice and has a huge knowledge of what threads are out there these days. Good luck!
@@BryceHistorically
Thank you! Funnily enough, I have just been watching your video again. I have found your teaching really helpful. The kit I bought took an eternity to put together, and without your videos wouldn't have been possible to understand.
Since I wrote the above, I have seen some more of your videos, like the 1910 blouse, which shows some really delicate work is possible. I must say, I wonder that some company hasn't caught on to the trend in historical sewing work, and produced threads to accommodate this market. I have heard other people working in the field saying they can't buy thread made in the particular way it once was. This can make a difference to how a garment turns out. I worked in the entertainment industry for some years, and there were directors that insisted on 100% historical accuracy in our costumes. Then, there are people turning against fast fashion, and learning to make their own clothes. This being made easier by experienced people doing RUclips videos! What I am ultimately saying is, I am sure there is a market for historical threads. I suppose if a company did, they would charge the earth for each spool. Then people wouldn't buy them. Then the company would conclude there wasn't a viable market and cease production 🤦♀I'm not bitter lol.
I will make a note of your recommendation of Holly Van Sciver. I live in England so I would have to email, but I'm sure that is easy to find. I am so new to this I didn't realise you could use sewing thread. Thank you for taking the time to share all this information. Let the lace making commence!