Around the world in a day for lace-makers

DUBBO'S Arts and Crafts Cottage is one of only some nine venues across inland NSW at which a bobbin lace-makers’ group regularly meets.

Earlier this month, three of the group’s members linked up with lace-makers around the world via a public group on Facebook which marks International Lace Day every year. Dubbo's photos were amongst the first to be posted, given Australia's location near the start of each new day.

One Dubbo lace-maker sent a photo from her “outback” verandah, while two more used the opportunity to promote Taronga Western Plains Zoo to the world by having their photos taken beside Savannah Lake.

That morning's overcast sky defeated hopes of showing a sunny winter's 'Down Under' scene to other lace-makers, many of whom were in in the Northern Hemisphere and enjoying summer-wear weather. Sydney lace-makers fared even worse, a dense fog preventing all but five participants being able to make it to their Opera House venue.

From lakeside photos in the Italian Alps to a meadow in Iceland, and other venues as farflung as Russia, Malta, Puerto Rico, Canada, America and England, lace-makers around the world enjoyed the opportunity to share their fascinating craft from an amazing variety of locations.

Dubbo Bobbin Lace-makers began in 2014, and welcomes new members to both its 10am to 3pm sessions on the third Wednesday each month and to its after-hours beginners’ sessions.

Contact Elsie on 6882 6136 or (for beginners’ classes) Elizabeth on 0408 682 968. Elsie Howe at work on a bobbin lace bookmark Judy Foreman making a Christmas star, ‘on location’ beside Savannah Lake PHOTOS: HELEN AKERSTROM