I have made the mat in white thread. Here are my answers to your questions. 1. I was putting in and taking out pairs of bobbins all along the way so I didn't get a whole number count for the number of bobbins used in all. It will also depend on the size of thread you use and the tension on your cloth stitch areas how many threads you want. Also the size of thread will make a difference in the number of bobbins. Thicker thread will take less bobbins and thinner thread more. Depends on what you are used to or what you like.
2. When it comes to thread you do have a choice of colors now, materials such as linen, cotton, and silk. If you use linen then the mat will be firmer, Cotton not as firm, and silk will be very soft. Depends on what you like. And of course there are all sorts of sizes of threads. 3. Once again on the gimp bobbins you will be taking the gimps in and out. There will not be one line of gimp that goes all the way through the whole piece. 4. My advice is to get Alexander Stillwell's book on Floral Bucks Point Lace and read it from cover to cover. Her other book called Geometrical Bucks Point Lace is also a good resource. There are many good books to find ways to solve the problems Miss Channer's mat will present you. See it as a puzzle and if one technique does not produce the look you want then try another.  That my two bits on Miss Channer's mat. Karisse Moore Now in Mt. Vernon, Washington - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
