I like learning new things. I like learning things that are a bit complicated, but don't need to be mastered before you can experiment with them. I like it when these new things contrast with other things I'm doing, because they make me consider the old things in new ways. I like learning things with my hands because I can immediately see the results of my learning. I like learning things that are a bit uncommon, because it feels special to become part of a small community of people interested in the same uncommon thing. I also really like yarns and fabrics. No wonder lace making has been on my “to try list” for quite some time.
I can soon cross it off, because together with my colleagues from the TU/e we discussed looking at old techniques to relate to new technologies and thought it would be a good idea to choose a technique not only to study but to actually learn for ourselves and doing so, spend some time together in a different context. Lace making was the technique of choice because it is intricate, offers many possibilities design-wise and lends itself well for gradually adding bits of technology, such as conductive thread.
First we need to learn the basics though, so we're spending three afternoons at Museum de Kantfabriek in Horst. There Rinie Verhaegh, a lace maker for 30 years, attempts to teach us some basic lace making skills and life lessons. On the right are a few images of our first lesson: the “whole stitch crossing” or “linnenslag” and if you think lace making is for grandma here's a link to some beautiful examples of modern lace.