Jump to Tutor

• • Annette Meldrum – Borris Lace Sampler
  • Vicki Taylor & Megan Robinson – Looping and Lacing
  • Maureen Goffroy – Point Ground Lace
  • Jenny Brandis – Lace8 – a Designer’s Friend
  • Zanna Antonova – Russian Lace
  • Rosita D’Ercoli – Goritian Flowers and Leaves

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Annette Meldrum

Photo of Annette Meldrum

Lifelong embroiderer, then I discovered Needlelace, which became my passion! I have attempted most forms of needlelace but have a special love for Borris Lace and Irish needlelaces generally.

In 2010 I co-wrote The Borris Lace Collection with Marie Laurie. In 2013 my Borris lace handbag won 3rd prize in The Kenmare International Lace Competition in Ireland.

I completed the Commercial Needlework Certificate at TAFE, an Arts Degree by correspondence, and worked as a Research Librarian at Wollongong University.

I am an Accredited Tutor with the Embroiderers’ Guild NSW and have taught needlelace and embroidery since 1988.

Collecting and researching lace and embroidery has taken me around the world. My textile collection includes pieces dating from the 1600s and often inspires new work.

Borris Lace Sampler

Photo of Borris Lace

The sampler includes all three styles of Borris lace and most stitches in one project (24 cm square). The centre features the ‘crag’ style, the inner border shamrocks on net ground, and the outer border traditional filling stitches.
A full kit will be provided and includes the pattern, working assembly, thread, tape, needles and notes. Cost is $35.

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Vicki Taylor and Megan Robinson

Photo of Vicki Taylor and Megan Robinson

Megan and I have been lace making together for quite some time and love experimenting with bobbin and needle lace techniques to create contemporary work.

We introduce techniques suitable for jewellery, vessels, and sculptural forms using wire and thread, encouraging playful exploration and finished outcomes.

Looping and Lacing

Photo of bowl decorated with lace

Students will create a small vessel or disc and design a decorative lace edge using wire or thread. Bobbin lace and needlelace techniques will be used.

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Maureen Goffroy

My love of lace began in 1993 when I discovered a Bucks Point pattern book in the library. I wrapped pencils with wool to make bobbins and stacked towels to make a pillow — and my lifelong love of lace began.

I have worked many styles but always return to Point Ground lace. I taught a class of special needs boys to make lace, which was praised by the school psychologist as excellent for their development.

Our Lacecargot group began in 1995 and is now 30 years old. I completed the Guild’s proficiencies and later the teacher’s certificate, encouraged by Kate Gentelli.

I enjoy designing and am currently experimenting with Lace8 for Point Ground designs. I am happy to teach all levels.

Point Ground Lace

The workshop covers four aspects: beginner hanky edging, a circular six-sided lace, advanced Point Ground grounds, and finishing a bookmark without a tassel.

Basic knowledge of Point Ground and honeycomb stitches is required, except for the beginner project.

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Jenny Brandis

My love of embroidery grew during over 20 years working with Country Bumpkin, where I explored, designed and taught needlework.

I recently completed a Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. My particular interest is traditional embroidery and historical Italian needlelace.

I have taught across Australia since 2022 and will teach internationally for the first time in 2025 at The Embroiderers Great Escape in New Zealand.

Lace8 – a Designer’s Friend

This four-day workshop explores Lace8 from installation through to efficient, scalable lace design. The software replaces grid, pencil and eraser — it is still your design.

Requirements:
Windows laptop, WIFI capability, mouse and mat, notepad and pen.

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Zanna Antonova

I trained at a professional lace-making college in Vologda, Russia, specialising in bobbin lace design and making.

I later lived in Crete for 15 years before moving to Western Australia, where I became part of Australia’s lace-making community.

Designing lace has been my life’s dream — transforming pencil sketches into finished lace using my Russian bobbins and pillow.

Russian Lace

Students will work with beginner to advanced Russian lace patterns, learning starts, finishes, braids, gimps, picots, tallies and fillings.

Requirements: Linen threads 50/2 and 50/4, cotton threads No.30, gimp threads, crochet hook 0.5–0.6 mm, 10 pairs of continental bobbins.

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Rosita D’Ercoli

I graduated as a lace teacher at the Regional Lacemaking School of Gorizia in 1985 and taught there until 2017.

I am an archive researcher, author, pattern designer, and editor of the Fuselliamo magazine.

Goritian Flowers and Leaves

Flowers and leaves are typical of lace from Gorizia. Students will learn traditional techniques and modern adaptations.

Supply list: Bolster or flat pillow, 15 pairs of bobbins, cotton thread No.40, silk or cotton gimp, very fine crochet hook, thin pins.

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