When I First Learned to Tat

I intend to write a few posts to chronicle some of my past tatting projects.  I hope you won't be bored!

I first learned to tat in 1995.  Below is the box of tatting supplies that I have from that time.  One thing I liked about tatting is that the needed supplies were small and easy to travel with.

Below is the box of tatting that I made in 1995 and 1996.  I had a Coats & Clarks book or two -- not many patterns.  I had four metal shuttles -- one Boye, one Susan Bates, one Justrite, and one without any markings at all.  The Justright shuttle is interesting in that it is a post shuttle and it twists apart so that thread can be wound around the post.  The other three use bobbins.

You may notice dark spots on some of the tatted motifs.  I didn't have the benefit of the fabulous tatting community that exists on the internet today.  Resources and information about tatting were hard to come by.  So I was stumped as to how to handle the thread ends.  

My solution was to knot the ends (probably a square knot) and then dab the knot with Fray Check.  Over time, the Fray Check has yellowed and darkened.

Please learn from my mistake!  My advice is to be very careful about anything that you apply to your tatting, or other creations.  Be sure the product is acid-free and archivally safe.

I enjoyed making these little squares. I made a number of them with J&P Coats Tatting-Crochet thread, color 13-C, which I believe is size 80. But I observed that each one was just under 3/4" square, and it took me about 45 minutes to make.  After awhile, I wanted to make something that progressed more quickly.  

Also, I didn't know what to do with my little squares.  I didn't feel the need for doilies... I thought the squares would be nice sewn onto something, such as a white linen blouse.  But thinking about it was as far as I got.

My tatting was set aside for other crafts.  

(To be continued...)

Completed TIAS 2016

Here is my completed TIAS 2016.  Thanks to Jane for the fun project!

Threads I used:

Rabbit - Lizbeth #20-603, Ecru

Teeth - Lizbeth #20-601, White

Carrots - 3 strands variegated embroidery floss (yellow to orange) with one strand Sulky #40 Rayon, #1065 (orange)

Carrot tops - 2 strands light green embroidery floss with one strand of floss, #91-A, Isle Green

I was inspired by the picture of Brenda's flower basket on Day 11 to make a basket of carrots for my rabbit.  

This way he won't go hungry!

Basket thread - 2 strands DMC embroidery floss #420 (med. brown) with one strand tan floss

I hope to take part in next year's TIAS.  I know it will be another fun bit of tatting. :)

TIAS 2016 - Threads Used

Welcome to my new blog!

My intent here is to share with you some of the projects I have been working on, interesting things I have learned, and whatever else strikes my fancy.

The end of 2015 was very busy for me -- November and December in particular -- with traveling, holiday activities, etc.  There were lots of things I needed to do for other people and less time for myself than I am used to.  In addition, I had strayed from my diet somewhat and I was starting to feel run down, fatigued, and quite crummy.

So I knew that the beginning of this year would be for resting.  I have spent much of my free time sitting very still -- sometimes that meant staring out the window, reading, or - quite frequently - tatting.  I have also spent a good amount of time cooking, exercising, and looking after myself.  It has paid off and I am feeling much better than I did at the end of December.  It is amazing how much a difference it makes to eat the right foods!

Perhaps I will ramble on more about my diet later -- it is very important to me, but it is not the focus of this blog.  Here I wish to focus on my "Stitchery" projects, which are primarily sewing, quilting, knitting, or tatting.  I am a member of both my local Quilt and Fiber guilds.  I enjoy attending classes and workshops from time to time and learning new things.

Most of my knitting projects are documented on Ravelry, which is a fantastic resource/website, but I have been wanting a way to share other projects I have been working on as well.  Thus this blog!