Starting Needlepoint Lace: A Course for Beginners

Rating:
Summary: Rescuing a lost art
Review: Handmade lace wrought by a basic needle is known to fewer and fewer people as we move into the twenty-first century, so it's comforting to see a contemporary expert lacemaker pass her knowledge to future generations with the publishing of this book.

A lifetime of expertise informs Grimwood's solid advice about forming stitches and building motifs. She has organized the book in a progression of 4 skill-building projects:
1.) a small, simple four-petal flower,
2.) a 36-window sampler the size of a throw pillow,
3.) a coaster-sized floral mat, and
4.) a Venetian Gros Point motif.

Every step of each process is clearly explained, with ample suggestions and helpful tips every step of the way. Black-and-white photos of antique and vintage laces provide the inspiration necesary to motivate beginners to continue the work of nameless master lacemakers.

Grimwood's decision to use her own line drawings (instead of hiring a graphic artist) is the weakest part of this book; the illustrations look unprofessional because of obvious ballpoint pen and correction fluid blobs in many of the black-and-white process drawings. This book also lacks a concise discussion about selecting and evaluating the best threads and cords suitable for lacemaking.