Summer School 2025
2-9 August 2025
at
Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa, Winchester
Lace Guild members: Single £1345, Shared £970
Non-Participant: Shared £860
Day Delegate: £140 per day (for those who live locally and are able to attend every day)
Tutors:
Anna Winter - Continental Bobbin Lace or Whitework
Carol Lee - Needle Lace
Judith Cordell - Rosaline Perle
Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa
Telegraph Way
Winchester
SO21 1HZ
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​what3words address: https://w3w.co.uk/clincher.magnets.plodded
Come and join us for a fun-filled week at the four-star Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa for the 2025 Summer School, from Saturday 2nd until Saturday 9th August. The Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa is easily accessible by car or public transport and is located on the edge of the beautiful South Downs National Park and within five minutes from Winchester City Centre.
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All rooms are ensuite and the facilities include free Wi-Fi, free parking, a gym, swimming pool and Ana Spa.
Anna Winter - Continental Bobbin Lace or Whitework
Anna will be teaching both Continental Lace and Danish Whitework Embroidery during the week. So, whether you wish to learn a new type of lace, extend your knowledge of a particular lace, learn or extend your knowledge of Danish Whitework or just want to get on with a project of your own, you will be most welcome. You could even do a little of both!
The bobbin laces on offer are Flanders, Binche, Point de Paris, Chrysanthemum and Bruges Flower at all levels. Danish Whitework embroidery, which is a pulled and drawn thread embroidery, will be taught at all levels for use in both traditional and contemporary ways.
Carol Lee - Needle Lace
The aim of the course is for students to produce one or more pieces of needle lace that, if wished, can be mounted onto an A6 notebook cover. This is to be pre-ordered prior to the course.
Beginners will learn the basics of setting up a pattern, work a number of needle lace stitches, and complete a flower design with a cordonette. The student will have the choice of working in white, cream or coloured threads of their own choosing. If time allows the student can then progress to another pattern, either provided by the tutor or one of their own choosing.
Improvers will have the opportunity to expand their skills, experimenting with colour using a pattern provided by the tutor, or one of their own choosing.
The more experienced lace maker will have the opportunity, to either develop their own design and experiment with colour and texture; or work on a pattern of their choosing.
All students will have the opportunity to sample picots, couronnes, a variety of cordonette edgings and will be encouraged to experiment with stitches, colour and beads.
The objective is that students will either complete their piece of lace, or have sufficient information to be able to complete it at home.
Judith Cordell - Rosaline Perle
This traditional Duchesse family lace is taking on a revival that has transformed original motifs into modern patterns that keep the techniques alive and allow lacemakers to enjoy working fine floral lace with a contemporary twist. Judith is the author of two books detailing the techniques used in Rosaline Perlé, she has taught extensively in the UK and abroad and has a friendly, encouraging approach to all those she teaches.
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This workshop is suitable for lacemakers with some experience. The lace is worked without pinholes to guide you, which gives you freedom to place the pins in the most appropriate place. Patterns are hand drawn giving freedom to the lacemaker who likes to be in control of where the threads will flow.
This workshop will also suit those who are new to the technique of Rosaline Perlé where you can expect to work through the motifs; those who have some experience and would like to work from a wide variety of Judith’s designs; and those who would like to design their own patterns.
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There will be antique Rosaline pieces from Judith’s collection to study and explore during the course.
With only 14 bobbins required for the motifs (some spares will be needed if the pattern contains a filling) and the ends simply snipped away without a trace once the motif has been finished and tied off, this is a refreshing way to make lace. Is there a catch? Well, there are a few sewings to deal with, a small price to pay for just a few bobbins and no ends to deal with.
How to Find Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa
By Car
The Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa is easy to reach via the M3 J9.
Parking
On-site parking is available. Overnight Car Parking is complimentary for all hotel guests who make a reservation directly via www.ihg.com or the IHG App.
By Air
Southampton Airport (SOU) also has a railway station nearby known as Parkway, where you can catch a train to Winchester.
By Public Transportation
Winchester Main Line
There are direct train services from London Waterloo, Oxford and Bournemouth. Direct services also run to Birmingham. There are regular direct train services from Southampton Central Station to Winchester Station. The journey typically takes around 15 to 25 minutes.
Bus from King Alfred’s statue (near the Cathedral) to Voco Winchester Hotel and Spa, 10 min ride.
Please check the bus timetables and maps to negotiate this route. The bus stops outside the hotel.
Bus/Coach
National Express has routes to Winchester, stopping at St Catherine’s Park & Ride.
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Places of interest to visit:
These include Winchester Cathedral, the City Mill, Marwell Zoo, as well as all the pretty villages around the area. If you prefer the city, Southampton and Portsmouth are not far away and both have many places to visit of historical or modern interest.