Bobbin lacemakers from North and South Carolina recently attended a three-day workshop in Tryon learning Binche and Flanders lacemaking from Japanese lacemaker and designer, Kumiko Nakazaki.   

When asked what piqued her interest in lacemaking, Kumiko indicated she has always had an interest in specialized embroidery, hardanger, etc. However, when she discovered the art of lacemaking, she knew she had to study it in detail. Kumiko flew from her native Japan to Brugge, Belgium and began her diligent study of bobbin lacemaking at the Kantcentrum (Lace Center). 

Ms. Nakazaki’s love of lacemaking graduated to designing and teaching Binche and Flanders lacemaking in Switzerland, Spain, the U.S. and Japan. In 2016, she will have spent “two months in US, two months in Switzerland, three months in Belgium, three months in Japan, one month in France, two weeks in Spain and two weeks on an airplane!”

Kumiko’s designs have a variety of themes with an emphasis on nature, pastoral scenes and other themes. (A hint – if you look closely in her designs, you may see a bunny or two).

– article submitted by Jane Armstrong