Next Meeting: Deborah Robinson's talk 'The Lace Magazine' on January 6th, 2018

I am told that you all had a great time at the Christmas party and that the food was as delicious and varied as ever.  This is the first Christmas Party I have missed in many years, thanks to a pre-Christmas bad cold!

Preston Lacemakers are very fortunate to have Deborah Robinson, the current editor of 'Lace' magazine, as a member.  Lace magazine is issued by The Lace Guild, whose website is https://www.laceguild.org/ and you will hopefully be able to find by clicking here.  Deborah has very kindly agreed to give a talk about her role as editor, which I am sure will be both enjoyable, interesting and enlightening.  Her talk will start at about 11:00 on Saturday, 6 January 2018.  Non-members, and anyone interested in joining us, are welcome to attend, on payment of the normal visitor charge.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2018.

Christmas Party 2 December 2017 11:00

Many thanks to Pat Bradford for an interesting, challenging and enjoyable workshop in November.  The time flew by as we were all so engrossed in learning how to make the Christmas Tree decoration.

On 2 December 2017 it will be our Christmas Party.  Dress up and get ready for some delicious food and fun activities.  Remember to bring some food; plates and bowls; knives, forks and spoons and a wrapped gift to the value of £5.00. Coffee and tea will be available.  If you want a cold drink, bring your preferred drink and a glass.  If you have a nice prize for the raffle, that would be very welcome.

Next Meeting: 4 November 2017 Christmas Tree Decoration with Pat Bradford

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 4 November 2017.  Pat Bradford will be giving a workshop making a Christmas Tree decoration.  In order to take part, you need to have put your name on the list and selected your preferred colour.  You will need basic bobbin lacemaking equipment, nine pairs of bobbins and £1 for your kit.  Not all members are participating in the workshop, so if anyone is interested in visiting the group, there will be others with whom you can chat.  More details about the workshop can be found here.

Next Meeting: Welcome meeting Saturday 7 October 2017

Many thanks to Mainly Lace for bringing such wonderful supplies for member to purchase at our last meeting and to Barbara for a fascinating talk about threads.  Barbara had lots of examples of all sorts of threads, which were of great interest to members.

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 7 October, during Preston Arts Festival.  As part of the festival, we are welcoming people to join our meeting, free of charge, to see what we do and, if they would like, to have a go themselves.  So why not come along, have a chat to lacemakers and, if you would like, have a go at a range of lace techniques.

A number of members have already signed up for Pat's workshop in November, making a Christmas tree decoration.  If you have not already signed up and would like to take place, make sure that you sign the sheet available at the October meeting or let Pat know what colour you would like and whether you are a beginner or an improver.  More details are available on our workshop page, click here.

Next Meeting: 1 July 2017 Members' work display and Sales Table

Many thanks to Pauline of Polly Jane Yarns, who gave an entertaining talk, interspersed with playing the accordion and ending with a sing song accompanied by the accordion. Pauline also bought some wonderful yarns and other knitting and crochet patterns and accessories for sale, so members were able to purchase some lovely items.  We were lucky that Pauline could join us, as she will only be visiting Pudsey and Haydock Park in the future.

Our next meeting takes place on the 1 July, where members can display pieces of their work.  We shall also have the sales table available, where members can sell and buy second hand lacemaking products.  As always, we shall be making lace, catching up with news and sharing lunch together.

Should anyone like to visit us, the cost is £1, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits.  Bring your own cup and, if you forget to bring lunch, you could buy something from a choice of local shops.

Next Meeting: 3 June 2017 Pauline Hardwick of Polly Jane Yarns

It was lovely to see such a good attendance at our meeting last Saturday.  Welcome to our new junior lacemaker and to our two new adult lacemakers.  It was great to meet you and see your beautiful work.

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 3 June, when Pauline Hardwick, of Polly Jane Yarns, will entertain us at 11:00.  We're keeping the content a surprise!  Pauline will also bring a selection of her yarns and other products for us to buy.  A number of you have shown the wonderful items you produced after buying yarns and patterns at Polly Jane Yarns' last visit.

If you are not a member and are thinking you might like to consider joining the group, you are most welcome to attend.  The price for visitors is £1.

Next Meeting: 6 May 2017 Display of Members' Work

Many thanks to Rubina Porter MBE, who gave us an amazing talk at the last meeting, all about her work with a children's and women's centre in Bangladesh. She brought lots of lovely items made at the centre for us to buy.  These included scarves, shoe bags, phone cases and cards.  These were so popular with the group that Rubina made £415 from the sales.  All the money goes to her work at the Sreepur Village in Bangladesh. 

Our next meeting will be on Saturday May 6th and will be a day for us to make lace and display our latest work.  If you wish to join us, this will be a good meeting to meet members, see their lace and chat.

Next year we shall be exhibiting our work at Haydock Lace Fair.  The theme will be 'Celebrations'.  Would members please let the committee know of any ideas for the exhibition and if they have any lace that can be included.

Next Meeting: 1 April 2017 Rubina Porter MBE 'Threading Dreams'

Thank you to members for squeezing into the only heated room in the building for our AGM last month.  Unfortunately the Church had heating problems and were only able to provide temporary heating in the small room.  We coped, however, and the Jacob's Join finger buffet was a great success.

Next month, on 1 April 2017, Rubina Porter MBE will be giving a talk entitled 'Threading Dreams'.  The talk is planned to start at 11:00.  Visitors are very welcome to join us.  You don't required any tickets though we ask for £1, which includes tea and coffee and biscuits.

After the talk, we shall all chat, make lace and share ideas.  Any visitors are, of course, welcome to stay for the full day.  If you forget to bring some lunch with you, there are shops and food outlets nearby.

Next Meeting: Annual General Meeting and finger buffet 4 March 2017

Lovely to see a busy meeting last month, chat about everyone's current projects and see the display of finished work from our talented members.

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday 4 March.  The Annual General Meeting will take place at 11:00 followed by a Jacob's Join finger buffet, so remember to bring something that can be eaten without cutlery.  You will also need a glass and something to drink if you want a cold beverage other than water.

Please consider whether you are able to contribute to the work of the group by volunteering for a role on the committee, or for other roles which help with the smooth running of the group.

If you would like to attend the meeting as a visitor, you might prefer to join us at about 1.00 pm in the afternoon, after the AGM has ended and the buffet is concluding.

Next Meeting: 4 February 2017 Make lace and members' display

We were very pleased to welcome Church Meadow crafts to our meeting last Saturday and we had a fascinating time browsing their extensive stall of lacemaking supplies. After lunch we were treated to an interesting talk from the perspective of a supplier and lace fair organiser. A really enjoyable day.

Remember that the AGM takes place at our meeting in March and the secretary will shortly be issuing the relevant papers, so if you have items or suggestions for discussion on the day, please let Carol have them immediately so that she can add them to the agenda.

Our next meeting on 4 February is to sit and relax, chat, make lace and display your work.  Enjoy.