NELG Meeting

Last weekend was the first gathering of the New England Lace Group since the summer vacation and the first meeting of the new year.  We met at the Joshua Hyde Public Library in Sturbridge. 

Business meeting was first.  We reviewed the past year's financials and the current year's budget, brillantly done by our treasurer, Winann.  Our vice president, Carolyn W,  outlined the programs to be held during the next couple of months and a few surprises for next year.  We congratulated the Big E winners and noted the upcoming themes for 2011 and 2012.  Our president, Jill, indicated that the nominations committee should get underway for next year's canidates as president and member-at-large will be open positions.  We discussed opportunities to demonstrate at a new venue this coming fall at the Eastern States Exposition - the Fiber Festival along with other events.  All said - we closed the meeting to get on to our program.

Carolyn W prepared a great presentation on the needle lace Alençon.  When we were at Rhode Island School of Design, we were able to see Napoleon's bed spread.  This was truly a treat and we were all impressed with the small bees that were decorated the spread.  She gave us a bit of history of Napoleon and the creation of the bed set.  Look for a future article in the publication Piecework Magazine. 

We all began with a sampler.  This will be my first attempt at needle lace - errrrrrr.  For beginners, it is made with a pattern that is stiched to a cloth backing to give it some strength.  Then the outlines are made with several strands of the thread you will be using and will be 'couched' down on the pattern.  There is a method to it all, like using a different colored thread to do the couching! Then the real work begins, you begin to make the stitches.  We are using a small darning needle and plain old sewing thread.  I'll put up pictures once I get a bit done. 

Over all, we had a great time.  Next month we will be demonstrating at Webs Yarn in Northhampton, MA from 11am to 2pm  - Join us on October 16th!