Description

Karen Thompson began learning bobbin lace in 1974 and has since dedicated her career to studying, teaching, and preserving lacemaking both in the U.S. and internationally. A passionate advocate for education, she regularly participates in lace conferences as a student, teacher, and lecturer. Since the late 1990s, Karen has volunteered with the Smithsonian’s Textile Division, focusing on the Lace Collection and contributing to its online presence. One of her key contributions is the reconstructed Ipswich lace sample from 1789-1790, displayed at the Smithsonian’s “Within These Walls…” exhibit. Karen’s extensive research on Historic American Ipswich Bobbin
Laces, which began in the late 1990s, led to her 2017 publication, The Lace Samples from Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1789-1790. As an experienced instructor, Karen offers both in- person and online bobbin lace classes, including specialized courses on Historic Ipswich Lace, through the Lace Museum in Fremont, California and Smithsonian
Associates in Washington, D.C..

This 4-hour and 18-minute program showcases three Ipswich lace patterns, each reproduced from 1790s samples sent to Alexander Hamilton, highlighting the significance of Ipswich’s lace industry in the late 1700s. The three patterns represent distinct styles, and each comes with a detailed, color-coded working diagram and pricking. Comprehensive explanations guide you through reading and following the diagram, setting up the foot side pin-under-four edge, working two-threaded picots, and adding both single and double gimp. You’ll also learn how to start and finish the gimp, as well as techniques for the honeycomb-Brussels ground, honeycomb ground, and kat
stitch (Paris) ground. The motifs are worked in half stitch or cloth stitch, and each pattern is demonstrated on a lace pillow. The introduction provides a brief history of the Ipswich lace samples and the equipment used. As a bonus, a pattern is included to create a decorative ornament or jewelry piece using one of the motifs.