Virtual Education
All virtual education will take place via Zoom unless otherwise noted.
Resources for Successful Online Learning: We have a page describing the second camera/electronic device(s) you may need to participate online. You may also find a guide for participating in lace workshops over Zoom helpful. These guides were created by Jean Leader a lace teacher from Scotland and can be found at https://www.jeanleader.net/teaching/resources.html, scroll down to ZoomStudents.pdf.
Registration: Click the specific workshop’s registration link below to register via Google forms. When you finish the form, you will be presented with a link to go to Shopify to purchase the workshop. If the workshop is sold out when you try to check out, your registration with the form has automatically entered you on the waiting list.
Education Policies: Please review our policies regarding student participation, recordings, cancellations and refunds. These can be found on this page.
Future Sessions: The Lace Museum keeps an interest list for all past workshops and classes, as well as taking suggestions for new offerings. Please fill out our form here .
Past Sessions: To view a gallery of images from our past workshops , please click here.
If you are a higher education student and cannot afford the registration fee, please apply for a grant.
Learning to Read Lace
Becoming Lace Literate
Studies in Antique Lace
Instructor: Elizabeth Kurella
Two series of classes – Learning to Read Lace and Becoming Lace Literate. Feel free to choose some or all of them. Receive a 20% discount when buying four or more classes, which can be selected from either series.
Series 1: Learning to Read Lace: Just as we progressed from the alphabet to words, sentences and finally books, we can learn to read the thread manipulations, combinations of stitches, bits of lace and finally full objects.
Series 2: Becoming Lace Literate: Learning to read is only our first step into the whole world of becoming literate. That is, to understand and appreciate what we read, and apply and communicate about that information. Just as words and plots are reused and recycled — Romeo and Juliet led to West Side Story — so are techniques, designs and fashions in lacemaking. Helpful steps to developing lace literacy include learning how to place lace in a particular time and place, how things evolved and what tangible and intangible factors add value.
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Prerequisites: None, but some understanding of lacemaking would be helpful.
Second Camera: Not required
Duration: One session of two hours per topic
Registration Fee: $25 per class or any four or more for $20 each
Milanese Snowdrop
Instructor: Claire Bonito
Course Description: This pretty snowdrop design builds on and extends learning in the skills covered in all my previous online Milanese classes and is a little more of an advanced intermediate design. In this piece we will cover several types of starts and finishes, including starting a braid gradually as pairs are added to the piece, several methods of adding pairs, adding extra pairs to rolled edges and introducing a further decorative braid to the ones previously covered. This class will run over four 3-hour sessions with a week break between sessions 2 and 3 to allow time for additional homework between these sessions.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Students should have completed the beginner courses or have similar previous experience in Milanese lace.
Dates: 4 Tuesdays – April 23, 30; May 14, 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12 noon PST/PDT
Registration Fee: $120
Kit: $12
Kit Description: The pattern pack for this class comes with the pricking on cardstock in 3 different sizes to give a choice of Finca 100, 80 or 60 threads.
Students Must Provide: Supply list (pdf)
Second Camera: Required
Introduction to Sprang
Instructor: Carol James
Course Description: This class will teach you the basic skills of sprang. We will cover the basic interlinking stitch, several finishing techniques, how to warp your loom for flat warp and also for circular warp, as well as a variety of surface design techniques.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Dates: 6 Thursdays – April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 12 noon PST/PDT
Registration Fee: $120
Kit: Options – Full Kit $105; Partial Kits $55 to $80
Kit Description: The kit is required and includes a frame, book and DVD. The frame will come pre-warped for the first project and includes yarn for the second project. If you already own the book “Sprang Unsprung” and/or DVD “Introduction to Sprang,” note there are options to purchase only the items you need. Also please indicate on the registration form whether you would like a right-handed or left-handed frame.
Students Must Provide: Pencil, paper, and scissors. Yarn for the first two projects is provided in the kit, but yarn for later sessions must be supplied by the student. It will be discussed in the first class.
Second Camera: Not required
Torchon Design Made Easy
Instructor: Jane Atkinson
Course Description: Anyone can design, but it helps to have some encouragement. Jane Atkinson’s stamp design method (for which see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHbltbhxlozZORL4hPVizQ) allows you to create patterns that fit easily into Diamond Mesh, and this class will help you
- Play without pressure
- Identify shapes with potential and edit the results
- Design lace with a variety of options
- Work methodically
- Make your own decisions on turning patterns into lace
- Enjoy the thrill of working on your own patterns (and who knows what else? Sell them?).
Class 1: Design and experiment with stamps
Class 2: Draw up a design on grid and play with options
Class 3: Draft a design that will work
Class 4: Perfect a design, consider practicalities
Class 5: Ink up a design, or take it onto the computer under your own steam
Class 6: Sample more complicated ideas or set up the completed pattern
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: An open mind, the ability to understand and work Torchon patterns on your own.
Dates: 6 Tuesdays – April 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 am – 9:00 am PDT
Registration Fee: $150
Students Must Provide: Supply List (pdf)
Second Camera: Required
Bedfordshire Bobbin Lace – Beginning
Instructor: Elizabeth Peterson
Course Description: This class is designed for those wanting to learn the basics of Beds Lace. You will learn plaits, picots, 9-pin edge, trails, bouncing plaits/leaves off the trail, windmill crossing and the Beds leaf. This lace has a lot of techniques and is a fun addition to your lacing skills. You’ll love leaves when you leave.
Level: Continuing Beginner
Prerequisite: Basic bobbin lace skills
Dates: 3 Tuesdays, April 16, 23, 30, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 11:30 am PDT
Registration Fee: $75
Students Must Provide: Supply list (pdf)
Second Camera: Required
Flanders Lace – Level 2
Instructor: Kathy Kauffmann
Course Description: This course is a continuation of Flanders Lace Level I. Students will enrich their knowledge of the lace by learning about the “Peg” and “Snowflakes” as they relate to Flanders Lace.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Flanders Lace Level I or the equivalent. Students should know how to begin a piece of lace, the ground, connections, take-ins and take-outs, adding pairs in the corners.
Dates: 4 Wednesdays – April 17, 24; May 1, 8, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12 noon PDT
Registration Fee: $120
Students Must Provide: Supply list (pdf)
Second Camera: Required
Dorset Cartwheel Buttons
Instructor: Anna McDowell
Course Description: During this class, participants will learn how to make a thread button called a Dorset Cartwheel Button. The session will include a short introduction to the history of the Dorset Buttons cottage industry. I will then outline the four stages that go to making up one of these buttons:
- Casting – covering the ring
- Slicking – turning ridge to the back of ring
- Laying – making the spokes
- Rounding – filling in the button
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Dates Thursday, April 25, 2024
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 noon PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $12
Kit Description: The kit includes thread, a ring and everything you need.
Students Must Provide: Scissors
Second Camera: Recommended
Aemelia Ars Needle Lace
Instructor: Loretta Holzberger
Course Description: Aemilia Ars is a relatively simple needle lace developed in Italy in the late 19th century. Patterns reflect nature and are reminiscent of early needle lace. There are some distinctive techniques and stitches. The pattern will be provided electronically.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Dates: 4 Thursdays – April 25; May 2, 9, 16, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am PDT
Registration Fee: $75
Students Must Provide: Small sharp needle and quilting thread, #40 crochet cotton in white, ecru or colors of your choice (traditional work is always in white), #24 tapestry needle, pricker, tweezers, scissors, thimble, optional magnification, good light.
Second Camera: Optional
Zwirnknöpf Sunflower Buttons
Instructor: Karen Smock
Course Description: Zwirnknöpf buttons have been made in Eastern Europe for hundreds of years, and you can build on the basic techniques to make exquisite designs. We will make sunflower buttons in two sizes, for a pendant and earrings. Fun for a beginning button student or someone with experience.
Skill Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 noon PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $15
Kit Description: The kit includes rings, thread, a needle and jewelry findings. The instructions will be emailed before the class for you to print.
Students Must Provide: Scissors, pencil
Second Camera: Not required
Swatch for Bobbin Lace
Instructor: Josée Poupart
Course Description: Have you ever wanted to make a piece of lace, but the thread is not specified? No longer available! Or, you want to use something from your stash, and the threads have lost their labels!
Over the years, I’ve figured out a fast and easy way to sample my thread and then figure out by how much to adjust my pricking. In this class, you will learn how I do this, and, as an extra bonus, learn how much thread you should wind on your bobbins. You will work a small sample and then do some simple calculations.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: Basic bobbin lace
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
Registration Fee: Free, a Mother’s Day gift from Josée
Students Must Provide: Supply List (pdf)
Second Camera: Not required, but useful to show your work. The teacher also uses WhatsApp during the class.
Bedfordshire Bobbin Lace – Continuing 1
Instructor: Elizabeth Peterson
Course Description: This continuing Beds class follows “Beginning Bedfordshire Bobbin Lace” and will include more patterns with additional techniques. Invisible add and discard pairs in a trail, starting a new trail from a trail and cluny crossings are some of them. Patterns will be sent for the pieces you will be making. Learn more tricks to include in your lacemaking skills.
Level: Intermediate
Dates: 4 Thursdays – May 16, 30, June 6, 20, 2024
Times: 9:00 am – 11:00 am PDT
Registration Fee: $100
Students Must Provide: Supply list and patterns will be sent after registration.
Second Camera: Required
Teneriffe Lace Sunflower
Instructor: Joan Brash
Course Description: The sunflower includes all the basic techniques of making Teneriffe modules – warping the frame, knotting and weaving. Plus beads! The class is suitable for beginning or continuing students. We’ll have time in class for the center knotting and a bit of the petal weaving. The edging will be demonstrated.
Skill Level: Beginner, Continuing Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Sessions:
Friday May 17, 2024 Register
OR
Saturday May 18, 2024 Register
Time: 9:00 am -12:00 noon PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $12.50 Please purchase the kit directly from TeneriffeLaceKits.com
Kit Description: Kit includes a loom, thread, needle, beads and instructions.
Students Must Provide: Tape measure, sharp scissors, a piece of tape (any kind), optional needle threader, extra #24 tapestry needle
Second Camera: Recommended
Dorset ‘Spring Flower’ Button
Instructor: Anna McDowell
Course Description: As Spring approaches, I thought I would offer this workshop to celebrate the beginning of the season. We can do with some cheering up after the long winter. This Dorset Button is based on one of my favorite spring flowers, the Primrose. In the Victorian language of flowers, primroses are associated with youth and young love meaning “I can’t live without you.” Across many cultures, primroses signify spring, protection, safety, and love. I think this is very appropriate for a Spring Dorset Button workshop.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Experience with a traditional Dorset Cartwheel button. Students are asked to prepare their ring by Casting (blanket stitching) around it before class.
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon Pacific
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $12 The kit includes thread, a ring and everything you need.
Students Must Provide: Scissors
Second Camera: Recommended
Dorset Tree Button
Instructor: Anna McDowell
Course Description: Tree buttons are not a traditional Dorset Buttons but a contemporary version of this heritage craft. I always try to use the traditional stitches when making any of my contemporary buttons so I will be using all four stages (Casting, Slicking, Laying and Rounding) to make these buttons, concentrating on how to place spokes.
Skill Level: Continuing Beginner, Intermediate
Prerequisite: Experience with a traditional Dorset Cartwheel button. Students are asked to prepare their ring by Casting (blanket stitching) around it before class.
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $12
Kit Description: The kit includes thread, a ring and everything you need.
Students Must Provide: Scissors
Second Camera: Recommended
Tatted Sunflower
Instructor: Kelli Slack
Course Description: Learn coiled center starts, split rings, lock joins, and more in this project-based class. This sunflower is just challenging enough to keep new and experienced shuttle tatters engaged, but not so hard as to be yet another “unfinished project.”
Skill Level: Continuing Beginner, Intermediate
Prerequisite: Basic shuttle tatting such as rings, chains, picots, joins, 2-shuttle work
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am PDT
Registration Fee: $25
Students Must Provide:
- 3-4 shuttles
- Lizbeth Size 20 in colors 613 (approx. 30 yards) and 692 (approx. 5 yards) OR thread color and brand as desired
- US 10 crochet hook
- scissors
Second Camera: Optional
Dorset Button with Preciosa Crystal Beads
Instructor: Anna McDowell
Course Description: Anna has designed a Dorset Button using a 40mm fine ring and four different colored Preciosa Crystal beads. The pattern also includes two rows of a different colored thread. Participants will learn how to work the four colors in to a set pattern and the technique she uses to change to a different colored thread.
Skill Level: Continuing Beginner, Intermediate
Prerequisite: Experience with a traditional Dorset Cartwheel button. Students are asked to prepare their ring by Casting (blanket stitching) around it before class.
Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $19
Kit Description: The kit includes thread, beads, a ring and everything you need.
Students Must Provide: Scissors
Second Camera: Recommended
Wire Tatting for Everyone
Instructor: Kelli Slack
Course Description: Have you been hankering for a different thread? Can’t decide what to do next? Try wire tatting! Join Kelli in this class where you will learn tips and tricks for working with wire to create tatted creations that don’t need to be stiffened. Have a little aggression you need to release? We will be beating our tatting into submission with a rubber mallet after class! Students will learn winding wire, which shuttle to use, protecting your hands, tools for wire tatting, how to “block” wire tatting.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Rings, chains, picots, joins, and reading patterns are required knowledge. Students that know split rings, beadwork, etc. will be able to use those techniques as well, but knowledge of those techniques in not required.
Dates: Monday, July 29, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon PDT
Registration Fee: $45
Kit: $14
Kit Description: “Tatting with Copper Wire” (Updated 2023) by Carolyn Regnier
Students Must Provide: Supply List (pdf file)
Second Camera: Optional
A 12-Hour Introduction to Bobbin Lace
Instructor: Karen Thompson
Assistant: Linda Kay Benning
Course Description: An introduction to bobbin lace basics from winding the bobbins and learning the basic movements to making 4 samples, each building on the skills already learned. Each session is preceded by a 45-60 minute practice session that covers 2-camera setup, kit contents and how to wind bobbins before class.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: None
Registration Fee: $85
Curriculum: The curriculum is included in the price of the class, but please add it to your cart so we can ship and track it correctly.
Kit: $85 All supplies are available in a kit OR you can use your own bobbin lace tools.
Note: If current sessions are full, please fill out this form.
Workshop Dates: 4 Tuesdays – April 9, 16, 23, May 14, 2024
Workshop Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm PDT
Practice for this session: Tuesday, April 2 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm PDT
Register
Workshop Dates: 4 Tuesdays – June 11, 18, 25, July 2, 2024
Workshop Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon PDT
Practice for this session: Tuesday, May 28 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am PDT
Instructor: Claire Bonito
Assistant: Joan Brash
Register
If you have the time but not the funds to pursue the heritage art of making your own lace with bobbins and threads, here is a solution.
The Lace Museum is offering one scholarship for supplies per Introduction to Bobbin Lace online workshop session. To apply for the scholarship, write a paragraph (250 words or less) explaining why you would like to learn this skill and email it to lacemuseum@gmail.com.
Internet connection is necessary for the workshop.
Skill Building Workshops for Bobbin Lace
Instructor: Karen Thompson
Course Description: A 2-session Just Beyond the Basics class and eight or more mostly 1-session Skill Building classes in Torchon lace follow the 12-Hour Introduction to Bobbin Lace. Different skills or different combinations of techniques are taught in each class.
Level: Continuing Beginner
Detailed Descriptions and Currently Available Dates: Click Here