A GROUP of borough crafters celebrated four decades of lacemaking this month with an illustrated talk from Allen Rout at their anniversary meeting.
“His talk was on Nature’s Inspiration In Lace, with lovely illustrations of three dimensional needle lace worked by the late Jane Rowton-Lee, a much missed member of our group,” said Wokingham Lacemaker, Maggie Jordan.
Shared memories, refreshments, and a lace decorated cake marked the occasion of Wokingham Lacemakers’ 40th birthday.
Everyone received a birthday bobbin, and Kim Mudge, tutor and founder member was also presented with a Life Membership certificate and a named commemorative bobbin.
“You can’t have too many bobbins,” said Maggie.
“We’re always tempted to buy more.”
Traditional bobbins are made of turned wood, or bone, and weighted with beads.
Threads are wound onto them, and the bobbins are passed in and out of the emerging lace loops to form an intricate pattern.
“They’re what we use to guide the thread, but you can actually weave lace with anything – your fingers, shuttles, and needles,” she explained.
Wokingham Lacemakers began in 1984, and meets in Wokingham town centre.
“Having a hobby is so good for you,” continued Maggie.
“One of our members once said that lacemaking should be on the NHS,”.
“While we work, we chatter away about the things going on in our lives.
“It’s such a wonderful hobby, and such a comfort – people join the group for all sorts of reasons.
“The sheer beauty of what you can create is one thing, but it’s very calming and interesting too.
“You work one stitch at a time, and there’s a preciseness to it.
“You may have only created half an inch of lace, but you’ve had a lovely time.
“You find like-minded people, and make life-long friends.”
Like many crafting groups, Wokingham Lacemakers were affected by the pandemic, but numbers are slowly rising, and the group would love to hear from anyone interested in joining them.
“We’re always very happy to hear from anyone, male or female, (we do have a gentleman lacemaker in the group) who would like to give lacemaking a try,” she said.
“We can get you started, lend you a cushion and bobbins, and help you find out if it’s something you’d enjoy.”
The group meets at Wokingham Methodist Church’s Bradbury Centre, on most Monday evenings during school terms, from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.
For information, visit: www.wokinghamlacemakers.wordpress.com
