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Filet Lace: Introduction to the Linen Stitch

by Marie-Jo Quinault

102 pages; coil with fold-over flap; catalogue #03-1926; ISBN 1-4120-1549-9; US$35.97, C$45.97, EUR29.97, £21.97

A very detailed technique to learn FILET LACE. The embroidery is quickly done with a needle on an already made knotted net to make projects from doilies, pillows to curtains.

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about the book      about the author      book reviews      sample excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book No one has ever put together a filet lace technique so detailed: hundreds of step by step photos, 3 distinctive levels of learning, and 2 beautiful projects to confirm your knowledge. Filet Lace is a very old needle art technique. The embroidery is quickly done with a needle on an already made knotted net, to make lovely projects from doilies to curtains. FILET LACE INTRODUCTION TO THE LINEN STITCH This step-by-step method teaches you the technique to make your own project, from the layout of your pattern to a wonderful finished filet lace. LINEN STITCH is the most forgotten of the basic stitches used in Filet Lace: it is the weaving of the thread with the knotted net to form a cloth. Filet Lace is traditionally made on a square knotted net, a fine fishing net with a knot in each corner. FEW SUPPLIES and accessories are necessary: a knotted net stretched on a frame, a long needle, some cotton thread and a pattern. A large project made with Filet Net 3 (curtain, bedspread, etc.) can be done quickly depending on the amount of embroidery in your pattern. This is because the background knotted net is already made for you. Doilies, curtains, pillows, clothing or Church linen, start looking and you will find many patterns just right for you. FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, I have had the opportunity to compare the few methods used by other well-known lacemakers. With time, for my own use, I have adapted the best of their methods and come up with an improved concept with 3 levels that I have been teaching for several years now. My well illustrated class book will teach you the Linen Stitch from A to Z. With practice, you will gain the knowledge needed to create, by yourself, a filet lace project as large and as intricate as you want. BEGINNERS, YOU HAVE ASKED FOR A WELL DETAILED "HOW TO" BOOK Frustrated by the lack of detailed information, you have asked me to put together and publish my book explaining clearly and completely, the technique for the Linen Stitch. In fact, my wish is to bring this beautiful art form to you so you can pass on this knowledge.

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About the Author Marie-Johane Quinault was born in Montréal and raised in Laval, Québec, Canada. "Almost 20 years and I still have Goosebumps when I talk about Filet Lace. I cannot remember a time when I wasn't attracted by fibers and exquisitely handcrafted textiles". Her first encounter with Filet Lace was a torn little placemat belonging to her late French grandmother: "This technique was a mystery for me and I didn't even know the name. I searched and found very little literature on the subject of this needlework; the information I found was mostly in English or Italian, and I was speaking only French at the time. It was many years later that I had the opportunity to follow a quick class which opened the doors to this marvelous technique". Since then, Marie-Jo has compared the methods used by other filet lacemakers. With time, for her own use, she has developed her own concept on the technique: "To teach in English I needed to have something written as a reference; so I began putting together a class book to make it easier to teach and faster to learn for the student". As a professional filet lacemaker, she teaches this technique in the United States and gives classes in her studio in Southwest Florida. She also offers tutorials through the Internet in French and in English. To be self taught can be discouraging when you do not have all the information: "That's why I wanted this book to have a lot of step by step pictures" she says," so everyone can learn the Linen Stitch". "What I like most about this technique is that you can do a large curtain quickly: that's because the knotted net is already made for you!" By writing a book, Marie-Jo wishes to help in preserving this almost extinct technique: "It is my hope that it will encourage and guide you in your quest to learn the Linen Stitch. So now, it becomes easier to exploit this technique and accent your windows with these large and beautiful curtains". "May Filet Lace (the Embroidery on knotted net) be passed on to future generations!" To order a signed copy, and to find out about upcoming events, visit the author's website. FILET LACE BY THE SEA www.filetlace.net

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Book Reviews ..."This book is an excellent introduction to filet lace, a lace constructed on a square mesh fabric by weaving thread into the mesh. The book opens with a brief history of filet lace and then guides the reader step by step in how to make it. There are numerous detailed diagrams and photographs that clearly illustrate how the lace is constructed. Filet Lace is a book strongly recommended for anyone interested in this lace. The beginner will find all the basics on how to construct the linen stitch, the basic stitch used in filet lace; the intermediate lacer will find more advanced stitch techniques; the advanced lacer will find numerous exercises and patterns and a short bibliography on filet lace." (www.internationaloldlacers.org) Catherine Kozlowski, Librarian at the International Old Lacers, Inc. - "The Bulletin" Volume 24, Number 4 - Summer 2004 ..."J'ai reçu votre colis pour lequel je vous remercie pour sa présentation fait avecbeaucoup de goûts et de précautions.  J'ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à parcourir votre livrequi est très beau et je pense que je devrais arriver à produire quelque chose car lesschémas sont vraiment très claire.  Je vous tiendrai au courant dans quelques temps.  Merci et à bientot." - Raymonde M. (Mayenne, 53 FRANCE) ... "Votre livre est arrivé ce mercredi dans ma boite aux lettres. Merci du fond du coeurpour la dédicace et le cadeau. Je vais me mettre à la traduction dans un premier temps,car je voudrais d'abord comprendre votre méthode d'apprentissage. Avez-vous vu latapisserie de Bayeux? Nous avons visité mon mari et moi il y a deux ans le musée etnous avons été émerveillé par ce magnifique travail. Je vous remercie encore et me mets à mon travail de traduction. Amicalement à vous" - Christiane B. (Champagne-sur-Seine, 77, FRANCE) ... "Just a line to let you know that I am now on the border of Project 1. I am slow but I have chosen to be, so that I might digest all the necessary information. It looks good and I am proud of this. When I complete it I will scan it to you so you may see it as well.Thank you, Debra" - Debra B. (Winston Salem, NC USA) ..."Au Japon c'est tres difficile d'obtenir un livre de Filet Lace. Je fais de la dentelle au fuseaux, tatting et batten, mais il n'y a pas beaucoup de livre. ... Pour debutante, votre livre est le meilleurs livre. Je suis tres heureuse de faire connaissance avec vous." - Kazuko N. (Kawasaki-Shi, JAPAN) ... "I received the package yesterday. I started reading your book last night and I am soexcited to start learning this technieue! ..."I started with graph paper, sharpie, and pencil. It's like solving puzzles... which I like." - Yoriko O. (Richmond, BC CANADA) ... "Marie-Jo Quinault's 'Filet Lace - Introduction to the Linen Stitch' provides a comprehensive guide to the technique of the linen stitch in filet lace-making. This long neglected technique has been brought back into vogue with Marie's 20 years ofexperience in lace-making and her in-depth research. Clear, detailed step-by-stepinstructions and drawings will enable the beginner to accomplish this rewarding form oflace-making. In addition, patterns to work from are also given. Lovers of lace can now ,once again, enjoy this most delicate of fabrics. A must for the needleworker's library. " - Ruth Youngblood, Founder of the Blue Mountain Lacemakers Guild (Waynseboro, PA USA)

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Sample Excerpts

EXAMPLE OF STEP BY STEP LEARNING
LEVEL 1 - PAGE 32

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Catalogue Information

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