Quintet of Old Wise Trees from Stratton Lace Makers in the United Kingdom

October 14, 2024

It’s always a special day when an Old Wise Tree photo reaches my email inbox. When five of them come together, it’s a celebration! I love to see interpretation of the pattern and never fail to be impressed with lacemakers’ imagination, creativity and skills.

Recent arrival of an Old Wise Tree quintet from Stratton Lace Makers in Dorset, UK, couldn’t have come at better time. Summer in Vancouver, Canada, was ending, and because it was short and mild, I did not feel quite ready for change of seasons. The collection of the Old Wise Trees from Dorset reminded me that trees are beautiful in every season, from spring to winter, as they follow the wisdom of Nature’s cycle without resistance. That was exactly what I needed to realize in order to welcome autumnal equinox with poise and embrace the upcoming fall.

Besides communicating a positive massage trough their art, the Stratton lace makers fulfilled another goal of the Old Wise Tree project: working as a group they contributed to keeping lacemaking alive in communities. As a self-taught lacemaker I experienced limits of learning the craft in isolation, and therefore, throughout my lacemaking career, I initiated many projects for groups. I watched with great satisfaction how well lacemakers learned together, how they encouraged and helped each other, overcame obstacles and shared success. I believe that this bond is inherent to textile crafts, and lacemaking wouldn’t have grown as fast and lasted as long without it. By carrying on the fine craft tradition, together we belong to the same time-honoured family tree. The first Old Wise Trees were created with my pupils in the New School of Lace classes, and when the Old Wise Tree moved online, I hoped that more lace groups will find it.

Gillian Membury, who organized the Old Wise Tree project for Stratton Lace Makers, wrote:

“It was a fun project to complete as a group as we watched each tree grow and develop. We all agreed that the most difficult part was getting the roots to lie in a tidy way!”

I agree – the roots are the biggest challenge!  And it is because the way how the roots are made in the Old Wise Tree is an antithesis to bobbin lace.

Lacemakers love patterns. We are all attracted to geometrical grids of dots and complex system of twists and crosses. We love our very orderly bobbins which keep our threads tidy. Within the structure, no matter how complicated, we can lead multitude of threads to successful completion of an intricate pattern. But when it comes to loose threads, we seem to get lost. That’s exactly where lies the test of the Old Wise Tree: the root work takes us to uncharted territory. We have to step out of the lacemaker’s mind, let go of an idea of a perfect order and work with unbound threads. At first, it is uncomfortable, confusing, even bewildering, but as soon as we give up control the roots start to flow and find their place. The finished tree brings a big relief and a sense of accomplishment, earned through the difficult underground journey. 

And then, when we return to our beloved bobbin lace we enjoy our perfect patterns and charming sound of clicking bobbins more than ever before.

When I designed the Old Wise Tree, of course I did not mean to torment myself, let alone other gentle people. I just thought that the contrast between orderliness of the crown and disorder of the roots is interesting and that side-by-side comparison draws attention to the intricate bobbin lace weave. Many non-lacemakers find the Old Wise Tree intriguing, and want to know more about the technique. And for the lacemakers, the pattern opens door to experimenting and trying something different. The challenge is such that only the strongest individuals succeed!

Please allow me to introduce five of them – Stratton Lace Makers- from Dorset in the United Kingdom :

Gillian’s Old Wise Tree reminds of early spring, with fresh and soft green crown growing from branches that look as if covered with morning frost. Contrasting colours of threads in variety of materials add a lot of interest to the crown and accentuate the branches and imaginatively braided trunk. The strong tree is supported by equally strong roots which indicate future vigorous growth. Well made and very unique Old Wise Tree!

Anthea’s choice of colours evoke dream-like atmosphere of late spring-early summer season. Interestingly, a variety of effects in this work was achieved with just one size of thread (Finca Cotton #40). The threads in mixed colours flow from vast and delicate root system up through the trunk and branches, blending to achieve watercolour-like softness and movement. In juxtaposition, two strong colours that boldly define the crown remind of a palette knife painting technique, a perfect choice for portraying robust and vigorous foliage. In Anthea’s work the soft and subtle merges with strong and powerful, and it is evident that lace art can express both aspects of nature equally well. 

As a prime example of the design challenge that I explained above, Linda’s Old Wise Tree aptly illustrates the pattern dilemma. Her flawlessly executed bobbin lace Torchon ground in the crown stands out against free, organic body of the tree. Linda emphasized the ground with added footside as if to point out the pattern’s connection to traditional doilies. The concentric line clearly separates lace part from freely formed branches, trunk and roots. As the threads leave the pattern to bundle and braid, their texture and subtle colouring becomes more prominent until it takes on almost organic feel of a tree bark. Linda’s artistic approach to the tree foundation is open and relaxed and the roots are unapologetically wild – bundled, knotted, gnarled – and free. A truly unique Old Wise Tree!

It was Judith’s Old Wise Tree with its cheerful tall crown that reminded me about the autumnal beauty. Threads in lively greens with brown accents create a fun pattern in the crown and add depth to braided branches and trunk.  Pearl Cotton in bright orange fills the crown with gorgeous display of carotenoids and the tree seems to be dancing with joy in its new dress. Interplay of colours between the leaves, branches, trunk and deep roots calls to mind the way that real trees move water through their entire system and distribute nutrients for healthy growth. And by the way, just as a byproduct, supply oxygen for all aerobic creatures on this planet… Trees are simply amazing!
And Judith’s Old Wise Tree is a tribute to their beauty, vivacity and generosity. 

Anette’s Old Wise Tree looks like a majestic oak at the beginning of winter. Its strong and sturdy wide-spread crown is supported by muscular brunches growing from a well built trunk. Underground root system shows the same robustness and resolve to grow to its fullest potential. Anette’s choice of threads greatly contributes to a successful portrait of this handsome tree. Linen, metallics and polyester mix delivers lovely tones and shading with subtle sheen. It was probably not easy to work with such variety of materials simultaneously, but it produced very good effect in Torchon ground and excellent volume in the rest of the tree, especially in the trunk. Dark pearls randomly distributed throughout the crown added a sparkle that contributes to a royal look of this Old Wise Tree. 

What a wonderful journey through seasons! Thank you, Stratton Lace Makers, for sharing your original lace creations. Your quintet of Old Wise Trees makes a truly special addition to the Old Wise Tree Online Gallery!

I invite everybody to visit the Gallery to view the new works together with others, thirty seven Old Wise Trees in total. If you perused the online gallery before, this time please remember to pay close attention not just to the beautiful tree crowns, but also to the amazing roots!

With thanks,
Lenka

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The Free Old Wise Tree Pattern and Tutorial was published on this website on January 16th, 2021.

As of October Oct 1st, 2024

• the page has been viewed 14,406 times
• 2904 visitors downloaded the pricking
• 37 artworks from 8 countries have been submitted to be exhibited in the Old Wise Tree Gallery

Together we are slowly growing an Old Wise Grove. Big thanks and a round of applause to all participating lacemakers! 

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Are there more lace trees growing in the world?
Please consider reaching out by sending a photo of your tree with following information to this email address: 

old.wise.tree@lenkas.com

Your Name + City / Country + Materials used + Pricking size (if different than the original 100%)
+ Optional: Notes (any specific information you would like to add)

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Disclaimer: By submitting the photo/s and requested information you agree that your work will be displayed in the Old Wise Tree Gallery hosted on this website.

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