Fiona’s Bucks Nightmare

A story by Fiona Williams in her own words…..

Hello, my name is Fiona Williams.

I have been working on my piece of pink silk which is an old pattern redrawn by Barbara Underwood where she created a Beds version. Therefore, there are now two versions of this design. Personally, I thought the Beds plaits were quite heavy so opted for the Bucks Point ground. As a Beds worker this was probably not the best option for me!!

I was drawn to the ‘cogwheels’ at each corner. I think as lacemakers we learn all the time and I thought this would be my next challenge. I had also fallen in love with the delicate pink silk from Pipers and thought this was the ideal pattern to use it, as there were not too many tallies, which can slip a lot when making in silk.  Also, having decided to work the Bucks version this was a better structure for the silk which is very soft.

I started on April 25th, 2014, and I finished on 29th September 2024. I knew that it would be a long project, but didn’t expect it take 10 years! Obviously, this has not been the only piece of lace that I have worked in the 10 years. I have made numerous smaller projects alongside this one.

The start of my journey.

I started with the motif above the first corner, then went on to the first ‘cogwheel’ and was very pleased with the outcome, so trundled on towards the second corner. As I had enjoyed the first corner, I decided to do a second corner to prove to myself that I had actually understood how the ‘cogwheel’ works and that I could do it for a second time. This took me three years, but at this point I stupidly I decided to complete the handkerchief.

A Cogwheel!

In hindsight I should have finished with the motif on the second corner. Afterall, I do not need another handkerchief! As many will know, the third corner last for about 14,000,000 years! At this point I was rally bored with it and would do anything else apart from this piece of lace. I do like to learn when I am making lace, so in my head I had achieved the challenge of working the ‘cogwheels’, therefore didn’t need to do any more.

It is growing!

However, after a period of not working it at all I was encouraged by fellow lacemakers and proceeded.  I therefore put all my effort in to completing the project. Initially I aimed to complete within the ten years, but didn’t quite make it.

Finished, finally after just over 10 years in the making.

Standing back and looking at it as a whole, I am pleased with the outcome, but there are some glaring mistakes and although I think I have done a reasonable job on the Bucks Point ground, it is by no means perfect. I am sure there are Bucks workers who may look on it in horror. In my defence, I am a Beds worker who did a LARGE BUCKS project.

I am very pleased it is finished and now I can make Beds again. I think I will leave Bucks Point alone for quite some time.

….and finally, mounted onto fabric, courtesy to Pat Hallam and her sewing skills.

Thank you for reading my story and hope it inspires and shows you can achieve great things given time, patience and perseverance.

Fiona Williams.