Thursday, July 4, 2013

Ancora Amendment


All the great comments on the last post made me re-think my Valdani misadventure.

I tried posting a-la- Maureen: it did not work. I do not like the way the ring bends at the join by posting the shuttle. Thanks for the tip, Maureen, for it encouraged me to try again. I am bound and determined to get a border tatted in this stuff. Grrrrrr......

I was trying to tat the same border Snowy did a while back, but this thread is not going to let me. Also, it is a comlicated pattern and I am unused to thread this fine, so it was not a clever choice of border for the Valdani, especially for a first return foray back to skinny thread. So I simply switched to a different, simpler pattern. This is Jon’s Row of Crowns pattern, free on her blog.

The pattern in a fine thread really suits the hankie, I think.

Because I have decided to keep the thread, I had to come up with a substitute for the giveaway. Here is what is going to happen:

This is the new thread I got at the Finca store. Though it says it is #20, it seems more like a thin #30 and is great for tatting. The balls are 50 grams, so there is a good amount of thread.


I added another book.


So, 2 books and a ball of thread. 
Two winners.


The names from yesterday’s comments are all recorded,
and any from this post will be added to the list. 

The draw is on Wednesday July 10th.

Ladytats was the first to offer thread for the Tatting Techniques book.
I am still looking for a magazine/book trade for an Italian/Russian/German 
tatting publication, but if that does not work, Ladytats will have the book.
 Thanks!

Happy July 4th to all my American friends!

25 comments:

  1. Hey Fox, How fine is the Valdani? Or is it that is is more coarse than the other threads? I have some beautiful threads here from Perfect quilter that you might like but they are about an 80.....then again there are some threads here I might just send to tempt you!!! muahahhahahahaha xx

    To be honest Jon's pattern looks nicer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Liyarra,
      It s about a #100, I am told. very fine! I have used #80 in the past and like it a lot, but this stuff is finer than that. It is softer than quilting thread and sort of inconsistent in texture.

      Tempt away! : )) I love your challenges! Scary!
      Fox : ))

      Delete
    2. Some scary stuff on it's way to you soon then....you think Valdani is fine!!!

      Delete
  2. Okay, I'm still in please! What was the color way of the Valdani? I might be in the neighborhood of a shop next week where I could get it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michelle, everyone who commented yesterday is still in... The colour is H205, Ancient Gold - Heirloom. If you cannot find it, I shall send you a sample... Let me know.
    Fox : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so glad you're keeping it! - and it suits Jon's pattern perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I felt sort of mean changing the giveaway, but I REALLY want to become proficient at tatting with thinner threads and Valdani is a great training ground - plus, I have purchased it twice an hadte to then have to pay postage one more time to mail it on to a new owner.... thus the re-think. I just couldn’t do it! AND I am just a wee bit stubborn...

      I am glad you like the pattern choice. It took such a long time to settle on one that I felt was suitable.
      Fox : )

      Delete
  5. Hi Fox,

    What does it mean to "post the shuttle"?

    Please do not include me in the drawing. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ... To put the shuttle through the ring before closing it, so the thread is on the other side, on top when tou reverse...There have been lengthy discussions about the merits of this on tatting sites if you Google it.
      Fox : )

      Delete
  6. Do try to relax the tension a little, the core thread needs to be as tight as possible but the stitch thread can be looser.
    Really pretty pattern, and I am sure it will work with the hanky, but oh, so many repeats with fine thread, you may need to take a few breaks before you finish!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Replies
    1. Ah, you are so supportive, Sue! Thanks, but they sure need a little practice!
      Fox : ))

      Delete
  8. What beautiful threads. I'm glad you are giving that beautiful brown thread another chance. It would make a lovely boarder. Love your tatting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have some Valdani thread, too. It's so fine that I used it with a second thread for tatting-- a thin, but heavy-duty rug/button thread, and they worked great together. I applaud your tenacity- tatting with such a fine thread. It'll be beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Fox

    Great crowns, thanks for the link to the pattern, I might try that pattern for another hanky I am tatting.
    Have a good weekend
    Love to Gian
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad to see later that the thread is working better for you now. It's such a pretty color. Please count me in for the drawing, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's looking great! I've always thought of trying Valdani ... the colors are so gorgeous. But the fineness has held me off... not sure I could handle it. I'm a tight tatter so I'm sure I would struggle terribly with it. Koodo's for getting it to work for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The colours are amazing! Give it a shot... not SO bad after all... hehehe!
      Fox : )

      Delete
  13. I see no problems with you changing anything. The Crowns pattern will work very well with the heraldic hanky. And the drawing can be what you want it to be.
    The new Ancora threads will be a delight to whomever wins them. I for 1 have never seen that brand let alone tatted with it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You do some really stunning tatting Fox and are just much TOO hard on yourself about the results!
    I would love to enter your giveaway if possible, Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have not tatted in years, however, I found your site and now inspired to pick up my shuttles again and give it another try. A new book and thread would be just the right inspiration to get me started.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I had a chuckle over the title of your post. Especially since I thought it was going to be about the hanky again. In our area, Ancora is the the name of the local mental health care facility! Which is where I would end up needing to go if I were tatting the border of that huge hankie with 100 size thread.

    ReplyDelete