Preston Lacemakers are a friendly group of people who meet to share their enthusiasm and enjoyment in the art and craft of lace, in all its variations. Our group includes young and old and beginners to experienced. Throughout the year we have talks about and workshops in both lace and other craft techniques. We also promote lace through exhibitions and giving demonstrations.
For more information, click on 'What you need to know...' below or contact Christine Keber on telephone 01772 339913 or by email: prestonlacemakers@yahoo.com.

Sunday 2 December 2018

Next Meeting: Saturday 5 January 2019 Needlelace Workshop


There was lots of paper and glue and not much lace at our December meeting!  A friend of the Chairman came along to provide a workshop on Kusudama flower making. There was a real buzz as everyone folded and glued!  The results were delightful, as you can see in the Preston Lacemakers Photographs accessed via the links section on this page. We also enjoyed a surprise raffle, the traditional Secret Santa and a non alcoholic punch accompanied by savoury and sweet nibbles. A very good start to the festive season!

At our next meeting, Carol Fenlon will be giving a Needlelace workshop.  A pack will be provided at a cost of £3 to make an Easter Card and participants will need to bring a basic sewing kit including small scissors, sharp needles and tacking cotton.  Whilst only members can participate in the workshop, there will be other members making lace and chatting, so if you would like to visit us you are very welcome.

Sunday 11 November 2018

Next Meeting: Christmas Meeting Saturday 1 December 2018

It was lovely to chat with so many members at the last meeting and to see all the splendid projects members are doing.

Our next meeting is the Christmas meeting on 1 December 2018.  As members are aware, the format of the meeting will change this year.  In accordance with the results of the questionnaire, it was agreed that there will not be a Jacob’s Join this year, so it is important that you bring your own lunch.  Hot drinks will be available as usual and there will be non-alcoholic cold drinks available.  The committee will also provide some nibbles.  If you want to participate in the Secret Santa, remember to bring a wrapped gift to the value of £5.  It has also been agreed that we shall hold a raffle with a difference.  It would, therefore, be lovely if some members could bring wrapped raffle prizes for the occasion.  It will make choosing your raffle prize more interesting! We shall also have a workshop on Kusudama flower making, which involves making flowers from paper.  The workshop is free to members, but we need to know how many would like to participate so that Anne-Marie can bring sufficient materials.  I know that some members have signed the list.  If you have not added your name to the list but would like to join in, please let the secretary know as soon as possible.  You will need to bring paper-cutting scissors and a ruler.  It would be helpful to bring a Pritt stick if you have one.  If you have some craft paper you would like to use, bring that along with you too.  Should be fun!

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Next Meeting: Saturday 3 November 2018

At last month's meeting, Deborah Robinson, one of our long-standing members, gave a talk about the Lace Guild's 'Lace' magazine.  Deborah has done two stints as Editor.  She brought her collection of magazines dating back to the first ones in the 1970s, which were pamphlet style up, to the present day glossy magazine full of colour photos.  It was very interesting to see how the national magazine has developed from a duplicated thin booklet , through various generations of blue covers, the occasional experiment with another colour cover to the full colour glossy cover we receive today. The layout has evolved too.  How the Editor works out the page order and layout is a skill in itself. Deborah’s talk was a revelation to us all and I think everyone  agreed that the magazines she edited were excellent.  Many thanks to Deborah for her excellent talk.

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 3 November and is an opportunity for members to make lace, have a chat, display their completed work and make purchases from the sales stall.  If you are interested in coming along and having a chat with members, this would be a good meeting to attend.

Sunday 2 September 2018

Next Meeting: 6 October 2018 Talk by Deborah Robinson on the Lace Guild's 'Lace' magazine

Many thanks to Pat Hoath and Barbara Brooks of Mainly Lace for bringing all their wonderful supplies and for an entertaining and interesting talk about their many and varied commissions.  We also enjoyed meeting and chatting to so many visitors.

Our next meeting takes place on 6 October 2018 when one of our members, Deborah Robinson, will give a talk about her time as editor of the Lace Guild's 'Lace' magazine.  Deborah will bring along copies of the magazine and we look forward to hearing about events 'behind the scenes'.

This is a change to the published programme as Gwynedd Roberts is no longer available for personal reasons.  Our thanks to Deborah for stepping into the breach.


Saturday 18 August 2018

October 2018 Meeting: Change of advertised speaker

Gwynedd Roberts was scheduled to speak at Preston Lacemakers meeting on Saturday, 6 October 2018.  Unfortunately, and with regret, she is now unable to attend for reasons beyond her control.   Thankfully, one of our members, Deborah Robinson has stepped into the breach and will give a talk about her time as editor of the Lace Guild's 'Lace' magazine.  We are very grateful to Deborah and look forward to a glance 'behind the scenes' of the Lace magazine.

Monday 13 August 2018

Next Meeting: Mainly Lace Saturday 1 September 2018

Lovely to see so many members at the last meeting and to welcome a visitor.  All members should have received a Newsletter by email or post.  If you have not received one, please contact the secretary.

Our next meeting will be held on Saturday 1 September 2018 at 10:00.  Mainly Lace will be bringing supplies for sale and Barbara Brooks, of Mainly Lace, will be giving a talk about 'Commissions'.  The talk will take place about 11:00.  If you are interested in joining the group, listening to the talk and/or buying some lace supplies, do join us.  The cost is £3 for each visitor, which includes tea and coffee - it's helpful if you can bring your own cup.

Tuesday 10 July 2018

CHANGE OF DATE Next meeting is 11 August 2018 - Open Meeting

Thanks to all our members for a busy and enjoyable meeting on Saturday 7 July.

Please note that our next meeting takes place on Saturday 11 August 2018.  The church asked us to change the meeting date as they need the premises for a wedding.  We have no special events booked, so it is an opportunity to chat with friends, make lace, show off you work by placing it on the display table and browse the sales table for bargains.  You can also look through the library for help, inspiration and information.
 
If you are thinking of joining us, this would be a good meeting to attend to chat to others and see what we do.

Monday 4 June 2018

Next Meeting: Saturday, 7 July 2018

Many thanks to Sue Taylor for an excellent workshop on Bedfordshire Lace.  Sue had pricked patterns appropriate for the level of each workshop member and had told us in advance of the number of bobbins and the thread we would need, so we were all prepared to start at the beginning of the workshop.  Sue gave us clear demonstrations and helpful tips.  She was able to give everyone the individual help needed whilst still having a chat and a laugh.  We all had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

At our next meeting we can continue with our own projects, see what others are doing and have a chat.  If anyone would like to join us, it would be a good meeting to pop in and find out more.

Monday 16 April 2018

Next Meeting: 5 May 2018 Making Lace

Thanks to everyone for finding their way to our change of venue last month.  We had a fascinating talk from Acorn Bobbins and were able to purchase beautiful bobbins and other gifts.

In May, we return to our usual venue of Penwortham United Reformed Church.  We have no speakers arranged, so we shall have the opportunity to make our lace, see the work being done by others and to chat.  If you are interested in making lace, this would be a good opportunity to come along and see what we are doing and chat with members.

Thursday 29 March 2018

PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE OF VENUE APRIL 2018 MEETING


Penwortham United Reformed Church has informed us, at short notice, that we are unable to use their premises on 7 April 2018 because essential electrical work is being carried out.  As our last meeting was disrupted due to snow, we were reluctant to cancel the meeting.  We have been able to book the Board Room from 10:00 to 15:00 at Penwortham Priory Academy, which is about 10 minutes walking distance from the Church.  The full address is:

Penwortham Priory Academy
Crow Hills Road
Penwortham
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 0JE


All members should have been informed, but if you have any questions, please email prestonlacemakers@yahoo.com or contact the secretary.

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Next Meeting: Acorn Bobbins Saturday 7 April 2018

What terrible weather we had for our AGM last month!  Many members were unable to attend because of the bitter cold and the snow, but thankfully we were quorate so could proceed as planned.  The secretary has emailed all members with the minutes, so if any member is reading this and does not have a copy, please contact the secretary.

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 7 April 2018, when Acorn Bobbins will give a talk at 11:00 and will bring items for sale.

If anyone would like to visit, the cost for a visitor is now £3, including tea or coffee and a biscuit.

Tuesday 27 February 2018

Next Meeting: AGM and finger buffet, 3 March 2018

Our next meeting takes place on Saturday, 3 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.

Tuesday 23 January 2018

Next Meeting: 3 February 2018: Members' work display, 10% sales table, make lace

At our last meeting, Deborah was unable to attend due to personal reasons.  Our Chair, Liz Parkinson, stepped in and gave a fascinating talk about Vietnam.  She had also brought a number of beautiful examples of their craft work.  As Liz has family living in Vietnam, she has been able to see a number of interesting places all over the country and to meet many local people.

At our next meeting on Saturday, 3 February, we shall have a display of members' work and the 10% sales table will be available for you to make purchases.  We shall be making lace and having a  chat and a laugh.  If you think this might be for you, why not come along and see us on Saturday 3 February.