Letter to the readers

Dear lace making friend,

Just in case you passed over our beautiful Catalan Blonde fan on our front cover a bit too quickly we want to remind you that this issue of La Encajera is all about FANS!!!!!! Yes, beautiful delicate exquisite hand fans that women have used for centuries to keep cool during Spain's hot summer. Relatively unknown in many cooler climate countries, hand fans are so important in Spain they are really a part of Spanish culture. In this issue you will learn about the origins of fans and fan making, and be amazed to learn that all the way back in the 15th century, folks were designing our first fans. Fans in Spain are so important that they practically have a language of their own! Learn about the subtle language of fans on page 14.

Besides learning all about the history, language and design of fans, this issue is loaded with beautiful photo examples. But while we know that seeing beautiful pictures of fans and learning about them is wonderful, we know it's not enough to satisfy our La Encajera readers - we just knew you would want to make fans too! So this issue contains a beautiful assortment of lace fans. We offer patterns of various techniques. Some are less complicated while others are for the more advanced lace maker. The techniques range from Catalan Blonde to Torchon, including pearl bead insertion examples, Bucks Point style lace and Needle lace and thread used is white as well as black. There is a fan for everyone. We are sure you will love them all.

With Christmas just around the corner we are getting ready for it by displaying the winners of last year's Christmas motif contest, which features four angels, several ornaments and seasonal tablecloth edging. All are winners and we congratulate them again for their fine work and efforts.

In this issue we also want to introduce you to 3 special women who have dedicated much of their lives to lace making and teaching lace making. They stand out in the world of lace making. We are proud to pay tribute to them in this issue of La Encajera and wish them the very best in the future.

Between delicate lace fans and special women one might begin to think we forgot about men in this issue - not so. We report on a special event that took place in Cataluna specifically organized for male lace makers. Fifteen men participated, see photos and see lace making men in action on page 26. So enjoy this La Encajera and don't forget to prepare for the holidays - until next issue, adios.

Montserrat Arcos
Director
La Encajera

Index

Letter to the Readers | Catalan Blonde Fan with Two Birds | History of the Fan in Spain | White Lace Fan with Pearls | Legend Of The Origin of Fan | Lace Fans Sculpture | Black Lace Fan | The Language of the Fan | The Homage to Three Lace makers | Three Xmas angels | Xmas Edging For Tablecloth | Homage To Lace makers | Fan, A Bouquet of Flowers | Lace Gatherings | Xmas Motifs | First MenÕs Lace Gathering | Instruction | Needle Lace Fan | Subscription Form | Letters from the readers | Supplement Activities | Supplement 13 Patterns: 5 fans with Patterns + 8 Holiday Motifs Patterns