Making the Laces of Le Pompe

This file is two postings I made to the rialto, hence the question/answer format.

>When I have visited this bridge, I have found many discussion on many
>topics, with the mix varying from time to time.  Someone has to
>start the threads, you know.
>
>As so I will bring up _my_ topic.  I have been trying to reproduce
>16th century Bobbin Lace.  I am using _Le Pompe_ a reproduction
>pattern book, and photos of period lace.  I am not getting the right
>look.  Threads of what seems to be the right thickness seem too stiff
>and tightly twisted.
>
>Who else is making lace?   What thread do you use?  How has it turned
>out?   Have you found any good close-ups?  I have many pictures
>that show the pattern nicely, but not enough to see what the thread
>is like.

I am :-)

>The technical section in _Le Pompe_ is very poor and mostly
>doesnt even mention what size and kind of thread used.  To anyone
>who hasn't seen this book, reproductions of one and part of a second
>period pattern book are bound with modern prickings and directions.
>The author of this section seems more familiar with later lace and
>works them much more "lacey" than the pictures of period laces that
>I have have found, which are quite sturdy looking.