Welcome to the website of Poole Bobbin Lace Circle
'Dolphins' designed and worked by Ann Bray
Poole Bobbin Lace Circle (PBLC) was established in 1982 by a group of lacemakers. The vision of this group was to promote the knowledge and history of bobbin lace as well as to provide an opportunity for lacemaking friends to meet, work together and exchange ideas, information, patterns and inspiration. Over the years PBLC has flourished and today there are about sixty members.
If you would like to know more about the craft of Bobbin Lace, click here.
PBLC's Coral Anniversary (35 years) was in 2017. Click here to find out how it was celebrated.
The highlight of the year is the annual Rose Bowl Competition and the presentations are made at the July meeting just before the AGM. Each year the competition has a special theme and all competition entries in the adult classes relate to the theme. In 2024 the theme will be 'Youth'.
Please browse our pages - there are plenty of beautiful lace creations. PBLC has a Christening Robe and accessories made by a lace class in the 1980s. Click here to find out more.
Lace for Blandford Fashion Museum
In 2025 PBLC was approached by Blandford Fashion Museum and asked if some of its members would make lengths of lace edging for the cuffs and neck of a replica 18th century dress, the original being the oldest dress in the collection. The commissioning of the replica dress was to celebrate the museum’s 30th birthday.
The original dress was made between 1730 and 1740 and is silk brocade with a yellow stomacher and petticoat.
The replica dress was made by Jasmine Carroll, an MA Historical Costume student at Bournemouth University. Jasmine printed the fabric and tried to match the colour of what the original silk was like before it faded.
The embroidered stomacher was designed and made by a fellow MA student and graduate of the Royal School of Needlework, Fleur Webb.
Ten members of PBLC volunteered to make the lace for this project. The ten were Barbara Jackson, Carol Bale, Eve Morton, Jenny Lewis, Linda King, Liz Pass, Margaret Eaglestone, Penny Stevenson, Sandra Stonham and Shirley Pearce. They were all very keen and set to immediately to make the lace with the result that it was completed in December 2025 and was sewn together in two loops for the sleeves and a long strip for the neckline. Each cuff required a length of 36 inches of lace and the length around the collar was 72 inches, making a total of 144 inches. The pattern chosen was ‘Cooma Kiss’ by Noelene Lafferty, a straightforward piece of Torchon lace, which could be completed fairly quickly.
The two photos below show the replica dress and the lace edging made by PBLC members to decorate the cuffs and neck piece.
The original dress was made between 1730 and 1740 and is silk brocade with a yellow stomacher and petticoat.
The replica dress was made by Jasmine Carroll, an MA Historical Costume student at Bournemouth University. Jasmine printed the fabric and tried to match the colour of what the original silk was like before it faded.
The embroidered stomacher was designed and made by a fellow MA student and graduate of the Royal School of Needlework, Fleur Webb.
Ten members of PBLC volunteered to make the lace for this project. The ten were Barbara Jackson, Carol Bale, Eve Morton, Jenny Lewis, Linda King, Liz Pass, Margaret Eaglestone, Penny Stevenson, Sandra Stonham and Shirley Pearce. They were all very keen and set to immediately to make the lace with the result that it was completed in December 2025 and was sewn together in two loops for the sleeves and a long strip for the neckline. Each cuff required a length of 36 inches of lace and the length around the collar was 72 inches, making a total of 144 inches. The pattern chosen was ‘Cooma Kiss’ by Noelene Lafferty, a straightforward piece of Torchon lace, which could be completed fairly quickly.
The two photos below show the replica dress and the lace edging made by PBLC members to decorate the cuffs and neck piece.
The members of PBLC who worked on the lace were invited to the Preview Day, on Friday 13 February 2026, of the opening of the Museum for their 30th year.
One of those members of PBLC who visited the museum in the afternoon was lucky enough to meet and talk with Fleur Webb who embroidered the exquisite stomacher.
The photographs below show the replica dress and original displayed in one of the period rooms which are a unique feature of the museum.
PBLC have in the past worked closely with the Fashion Museum with members demonstrating lace there. In 2024/2025 PBLC’s charity for the year was the Blandford Fashion Museum and on several occasions experts from the museum have given talks at PBLC’s meetings.
One of those members of PBLC who visited the museum in the afternoon was lucky enough to meet and talk with Fleur Webb who embroidered the exquisite stomacher.
The photographs below show the replica dress and original displayed in one of the period rooms which are a unique feature of the museum.
PBLC have in the past worked closely with the Fashion Museum with members demonstrating lace there. In 2024/2025 PBLC’s charity for the year was the Blandford Fashion Museum and on several occasions experts from the museum have given talks at PBLC’s meetings.
Ruby Anniversary 2022
PBLC celebrated its 40th Annniversary in 2022. The group celebrated in style with a cake at their AGM in July. Also members had an opportunity to purchase special Ruby Anniversary bobbins designed and made by Sarah Jones.
'Ruby' was the title of the competition to celebrate the anniversary. The winning entries were made by Eve Morton and Margaret Eaglestone.
See below for photos commemorating the events. Click on the individual photos for more details.
'Ruby' was the title of the competition to celebrate the anniversary. The winning entries were made by Eve Morton and Margaret Eaglestone.
See below for photos commemorating the events. Click on the individual photos for more details.
LOCKDOWN LACE
During the lockdown period PBLC is pleased to say that members have still been making lace.
Click here to view the pieces.
During the lockdown period PBLC is pleased to say that members have still been making lace.
Click here to view the pieces.