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Time allocation
There is no set minimum time for completion of the full Torchon Basics course but, for Part A, there is a set maximum limit of twenty continuous weeks beginning with receipt of Unit 1 notes and pattern instruction. I expect everyone to keep to that maximum. If you fall behind in these first units, you will experience difficulty when it comes to remembering approaches and techniques.
The following sections list the course notes for each work unit and the minimum work requirements.
Torchon Basics Unit 1
Unit 1 covers bobbin winding and hitching, and a series of exercises to teach bobbin handling and to become familiar with the terminology used in LRI courses for handling bobbins and forming stitches.
Everyone is expected to work through the handling exercises but, having done so, it is your own decision as to how you proceed.
Unit 1- Introduction to working methods for bobbin lace
Preparatory Notes
- Handling Thread
- Winding East Midlands Bobbins (illustration included)
- Hitching East Midlands Bobbins (securing the thread with a running hitch, includes illustration)
- Lace Pins: Part 2 & Part 3.
- How Pairs Work Together.
- Tying Off Pairs
- Unit 1 Pattern Instruction
- Examples of the worked pattern/s are provided.
The above notes include a series of exercises for:
- Handling bobbins
- Basic movements for the 'crossing' and 'twisting' of threads in stitch construction
- Basic movements for lifting bobbins when positioning pins.
Unit 1 Patterns
Two patterns are provided in Unit 1.
These patterns must be pricked onto card and marked appropriately.
Pattern No.1 is to be worked throughout in torchon ground stitches.
Pattern No.2, torchon ground with half stitch weaving, will be commenced in Unit 1 and completed as a component of Unit 2.
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Minimum Requirements for Unit 1
One sample comprising a length of ground stitches.
Assessment of this sample (from an image) and comments completes Unit 1.
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Torchon Basics Unit 2
The samples are short samples working basic torchon stitches.
Sample for Unit 2 are worked over the same two prickings as for Unit 1.
- Torchon ground & half stitch weaving (pattern No.2) is commenced in Unit 1 and completed for Unit 2.
- Torchon ground with cloth stitch and half stitch weaving (pattern Unit1, pattern No.2 used again)
Accompanying Support Notes for Unit 2 include:
Full instruction for working the above samples.
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Minimum work requirement for assessment (by image):
Two samples showing basic stitch working. If you wish to work additional pieces and send images of all, you are welcome to do so but I wish to see those first three pieces.
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Unit 3 pattern sheet is included with material for Unit 2.
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Torchon Basics Unit 3
Unless otherwise specified, there are four pieces to be worked in this unit.
The first two samples may be worked either with new prickings or using the Unit 2 prickings and modifying them. The same stitches are reworked but with the addition of a structured headside edge.
Samples:
- Working torchon ground stitches with a torchon stitch headside (outer edge).
- Working torchon ground with both half stitch and cloth stitch weaving, in conjunction with a torchon stitch headside.
- Working torchon ground stitches with a torchon stitch headside and a mounting footside (inside edge).
- Working a shaped headside in conjunction with ground stitches and a standard footside edge.
Exercises:
Thread measurement
Accompanying Support Notes for Unit 3 include:
- Woven Pattern Elements Part 2: Fans
- Torchon Stitch Parts 1 & 2, and accompanied by a Diagram Sheet
- Tensioning Thread and Tension Within Lace Patterns.
Unit 3 pattern instruction
Unit 3 samples
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Minimum work requirement for assessment:
Four sample pieces.
Exercise results
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Unit 4 Pattern Sheet is included with material for Unit 3.
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Torchon Basics Unit 4
Unit 4 covers the last of the foundation skills needed for torchon lace.
In this unit you will learn to lift the lace off the pricking and reposition it to work a longer length of lace than the pricking length, and you will learn to join two pieces of lace end to end.
Unit 4 Pattern Sheet features only two patterns from which to make prickings.
Samples:
- Straight piece of lace with a firm headside, standard torchon footside and woven blocks. Two exercises must be carried out as this piece is worked.
- Two lengths of this edging sample featuring a shaped headside, torchon ground, woven blocks and a standard footside edge. Both samples to be 'moved up' the pricking. At completion of the second sample the two pieces are to be joined together.
Exercises:
- Joining in a new thread
- Lifting a knot out of the work.
- Thread measurement
Accompanying Support Notes for Unit 4 include
- Approaches To Setting In Patterns Part 1
- Setting Up Part 1
- Moving The Lace Up The Pricking
- Joining Lace
- Single Pinhole Grounds
- Woven Pattern Elements Part 3: Blocks
Unit 4 samples
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Minimum work requirement for assessment:
- An image of the straight strip with woven blocks and joined threads
- An image of the two sample pieces of lace that are much longer than the pricking. This image will be of the joined lengths of lace (joined together by 'taking sewings').
- A second image, showing detail of the join will also be required. The joined pieces may be either the two original lengths of edging lace or two additional pieces should you wish to work another set.
- The exercises must be completed and answers provided by e-mail.
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Unit 5 Pattern Sheet is not included with Unit 4 material.
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Torchon Basics Unit 5
In this unit you will learn a new stitch and how to turn a right angle corner. You will make sample pieces and a complete handkerchief edging. There are three patterns on the Unit 5 Pattern Sheet.
Samples:
- One pattern to be worked as a full handkerchief edging.
- A right-angled section of lace worked for two of the patterns.
Exercises:
- Estimating the number of pairs required for working two of the patterns.
- Estimating thread lengths for the two corner samples
Accompanying Support Notes include:
- Decorative Stitch Blocks: Spiders
- Working Corners in Torchon Lace
- About Thread Part 1
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Minimum requirements for assessment:
Two corner samples and one complete handkerchief edging. The corner samples may be scanned, or photocopied on the same sheet, with the edging on a separate sheet.
An enlarged image front and back of the join on the handkerchief edging.
An enlarged image of darned in ends on the sample.
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Torchon Basics Unit 6
Unit 6 is based on developing finishing techniques.
Finishing Technique Exercises:
- Darning in ends
Mounting one sample piece onto fabric.
Accompanying Support Notes include:
- Mounting Techniques for Hand Made Lace
- Darning in & otherishing techniques
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Minimum requirement for assessment:
One square mat with the ends darned in.
One sample piece of lace mounted onto fabric.
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Torchon Basics Unit 7
One sample pattern (Winter Blossom) worked with Brabant ground and cloth stitch blocks.
Thread ends of the handkerchief edging to be sewn in as neatly as possible.
Handkerchief edging to be mounted onto fabric using pinhole stitch.
Exercise:
Estimating pairs for Winter Blossom pattern
Accompanying Notes
- Decorative Stitch Blocks.
Other Notes
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