Bobbin Lace Workshops
Headford Lace Project runs several bobbin lacemaking workshops throughout the year with our wonderful tutor, Jackie Magnin. We also invite visiting instructors to teach other Irish laces, including needlepoint, needlerun, Irish crochet, tatting, applique, and embroidery techniques.
Our next workshop of 2023 takes place on 10th-11th June. See below for information.
Contact us to be added to our mailing list.
We are grateful for the support of Galway Roscommon Education Training Board and Galway Rural Development for their assistance in providing these classes.
Here comes summer 2023 with Headford Lace Project!
We are currently planning our June lacemaking weekend and would love to see you there. As well as an opportunity to improve your bobbin lacemaking skills we are delighted to host a workshop in Kenmare Lace led by internationally renowned artist / lacemaker Fiona Harrington. More information below where you will also find information about upcoming weekends later in the year.
All events will take place in the Anglers Rest Hotel, Headford, Co. Galway, H91 PN77.
Places are limited so contact us as soon as possible to book!
Saturday 10th June 2023
Improvers Bobbin Lace Workshop with Jackie Magnin, 10am-4pm
If you've already got some basics and are eager to start a new project, then Jackie will help you choose a project appropriate to your level and guide you through it. You can work with traditional white/cream threads or introduce some colour for a contemporary approach. We have lots of threads to choose from included in the price. We assume you already have your lacemaker's pillow and bobbins to bring along, but if not, just let us know in advance and we can have some ready for you to borrow (or purchase).
€30 Limited places. Booking essential. Contact us to book and to enquire about concessions for students / unwaged.
Yoga for Lacemaking, 9:30am &4pm
As a special treat our lacemakers can enjoy these specially designed sessions of gentle chair based yoga. In the morning we will ease out stiffness in joints, release physical tensions and help release creativity. At the end of the day we will loosen out stiffness in the spine, shoulders and neck and finish with light relaxation / meditation. This optional extra is sponsored by GRETB to promote wellness and is free to all our improvers and gathered lacemakers. There is no expectation of physical fitness or flexibility - come and have a go and we promise it will improve your day!
Free of charge. Limited places. Contact us if you want to take part.
Lacemakers Gathering/Lace Display, 10am-4pm
Spend some time working on your own projects (any lacemaking technique or similar craft), in the company of other lace-makers. Our tutor Jackie will be busy next door, so this session is largely about practising by yourself and sharing stories of lacemaking with others. We'll leave the door open for members of the public to visit and see a display of lace, etc.
Free of Charge. No booking required, but we'd love if you would let us know if you can make it, so that we have an idea of numbers.
Sunday 11th June 2023
Kenmare Lacemaking (needlelace) with Fiona Harrington, 10am - 4pm
We are very excited to have Fiona Harrington join us again after working with us as curator of The Space Between in 2020. Participants in this workshop will learn how to prepare the ground for needlelace, how to couch a pattern, three basic needlelace stitches as well as how to finish the sample and remove it from the backing fabric. By the end of the workshop participants will have a good understanding of how to start and finish a pattern and will take home their own piece of needlelace. They will also leave with the knowledge of how to continue making needlelace at home if they wish. The class is for mixed abilities and is suitable for beginners.
Fiona Harrington is a visual artist who works with handmade lace. Her work explores themes relating to domesticity, traditional women's work, cultural identity, memory and loss. Her work has been exhibited extensively and she has won numerous awards including the Branchardiere Bursary, the RDS Graduate Prize and a National Craft Award. Most recently she received the Firestation Sculpture Practice Award and she is currently preparing to present her work at the Home/Making Conference at Concordia University in Montreal. A key aspect of her practice is the preservation and promotion of Irish lace techniques and she is frequently invited to do demonstrations and teach lacemaking at events both at home and abroad. She believes strongly in quality education and learning and is always looking to explore ways of sharing her knowledge and skills.
€30 Limited places. Booking essential. Contact us to book and to enquire about concessions for students / unwaged.
Yoga for Lacemaking, 9:30am & 4pm
As a special treat our lacemakers can enjoy these specially designed sessions of gentle chair based yoga. In the morning we will ease out stiffness in joints, release physical tensions and help release creativity. At the end of the day we will loosen out stiffness in the spine, shoulders and neck and finish with light relaxation / meditation. This optional extra is sponsored by GRETB to promote wellness and is free to all our beginners, improvers and gathered lacemakers. There is no expectation of physical fitness or flexibility - come and have a go and we promise it will improve your day!
Free of charge. Limited places. Contact us if you want to take part.
Lacemakers Gathering/Lace Display, 10am-4pm
Spend some time working on your own projects (any lacemaking or craft technique), in the company of other lace-makers. Or bring along some lace items for 'show and tell'. Our tutor Jackie will be busy next door, so this session is largely about practising by yourself and sharing stories of lacemaking with others. We'll leave the door open for members of the public to visit and see a display of lace, etc.
Free of Charge. No booking required, but we'd love if you would let us know if you can make it, so that we have an idea of numbers.
]
The following are additional dates for your diaries, with more detailed information to follow as we get closer to the events:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 22nd -24th September 2023
Culture Night Guest Speaker Rosie Finnegan Bell
Carrickmacross Lace Workshop with Rosie Finnegan Bell
Improvers Bobbin Lace
Yoga for Lacemaking
Lacemakers Gathering/Lace Display
Saturday & Sunday 11th & 12th November 2023
Beginners & Improvers Bobbin Lace
Yoga for Lacemaking
Lacemakers Gathering/Lace Display
All materials required for our bobbin lace workshop will be provided, and any lace samples you create are yours to keep.
The materials kit is not included in the workshop price, but can be purchased for an additional €25. The kit includes a lace pillow, 20 bobbins, thread, pins, pincushion, scissors, grips, crochet ladder, cover cloth.
