Review of Lacis Bobbin Lace Kit

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Although this is known as the Horror kit by some lace folks I used the original version of this kit to get started in bobbin lace some 25 odd years ago. I didn't have a lace class nearby to get me started at the time I purchased it but did find books available at the local library. The kit had adequate information to get me started and the lace bobbins are better than the ones I had in mine which I still sometimes use. If you are just trying to find out if you might like to make bobbin lace and no lace group is nearby then this along with one of the beginner books would help you make the decision about the craft. The board or "pillow" provided in the kit upon which you make the lace is totally inadequate in the long run if you really enjoy making lace so if you happen to have a lace group to help you get started give this item the boot and use the money to purchase "real" lace supplies and lace books.

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The ethafoam pad used to hold the pins and the bobbins and the lace is wonderful and a very creative idea on the part of whoever invented this. I wanted to learn to make bobbin lace and I did using this kit. I went on to buy a wood-filled lace pillow and stands, more bobbins and I'm happily creating lots of bobbin lace.

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I purchased this kit so I could learn how to make bobbin lace. I found the basic instructions very helpful, at first. There were no illustrations for the second pattern template (roseground), only what they were supposed to be easily found in the books suggested on their additional reading list. Most of these books are now hard to find or expensive and I have not been able to find a visual image or written directions the patterns referenced in the instructions on the internet. I even looked at the Lacis web site. Nothing is available there. I felt very frustrated with the lack of directions. The templates are dated 1979 and I am assuming that is when the initial kit was created. It would be nice for Lacis to update their information and make it easier for beginners to get started. The board and bobbins have been satisfactory but the instructions have only lead to frustration and confusion. If you are planning to buy this kit I suggest having several bobbin lace books already in hand for reference.

Honest reviews on Lacis Bobbin Lace Kit

Short version:

This bobbin lace kit is pretty decent for beginners. It gives you all the tools you need to start this hobby without dropping a lot of cash. It could use a little aftermarket modification (more styrofoam and a t-shirt), but it's more than good enough for a beginner. The instructions and included patterns are not helpful, but online tutorials will serve. An experienced lacemaker may be disappointed in the quality of the materials, but the beginner will find them good enough and at a good price.

The Long Version:

It comes with:

24 bobbins. They have a notch at the top to keep your slipknot in place. They have no holes for spangles, so I will be taping the handles with colored electrical tape for identification. I can't rate the bobbins in comparison to other bobbins, especially the antique collections that dedicated lacemakers keep, but they work far better than the pencils I was using before.

A "cookie pillow" and stand. The pillow is an oval piece of very dense stryofoam, about half an inch thick. The stand is folded thick cardboard. Together they work well, but you can't use the foam board by itself on your lap, as you will stab your legs with your pins. To work on my lap, I attached another piece of stryofoam to the back of it, and stretched out an old tshirt over the whole thing to provide contrast (white board + white thread = madness).

Pins and thread. It came with about two dozen pins with small rounded heads, which were helpful as I only had larger pins with huge plastic heads. It also came with thick white linen thread, which I can't speak to since I've been using regular sewing thread in order to have a different color on each bobbin pair. (which I do to both keep the pairs identified and to help me identify where I made mistakes once the pattern is done)

Patterns and instructions. The patterns and instructions are lacking, as described in other reviews. I purchased a bobbin lace book with this kit to make sure I would be able to figure it out, but honestly I just used Youtube an which were more than adequate.

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The foam pad is great, the bobbins are of good quality. The overall kit is lightweight, and easy to store/carry. I think the price is very reasonnable.

However, the instructions in the kit are basic, lacking pictures, this is why I greatly recommend getting this book too:

Beginner's Guide to Bobbin Lace by Gilian Dye.

I didn't use the patterns given with the kit and chose to make a bookmark from the book (the one with spiders) instead.