Calling Tatters Thirty and Under!

I had a call from a journalist yesterday who is doing research for an  article about tatting.  Exciting, no?

Once again I had to dispel the old, “Isn’t tatting a dying art?’ question and then we got down to it.  It was a fun intervie, and I believe I provided a some useful information.

She asked me if I would do a call-out on tat-ology for young people - thirty and under -  who are getting involved with tatting, for she wants to conduct interviews for her research with the next, up-and-coming younger generation of new tatters.  

Anybody out there in Tat-land interested?  It would be wonderful to see an article about tatting in a recognized publication, wouldn’t it?

Email me ( see my profile) if you are interested in speaking with the journalist. She is an excellent communicator, very easy going and relaxed - fun to talk with.

After we spoke,  it struck me that this woman needed real, live samples of tatting. So, I got out my little box of tatted goodies and re-experienced how difficult it is to part with my little motifs!

But, I plunged bravely onward, because the work is better off out there in the world, where it can be seen, fondled and appreciated, rather than sitting hidden away in a gloomy cupboard.

The one thing I worried about - oh, the  smarting ego - was that some of the stuff is old, (4 years!) from my learn-to-tat days and not very professional-looking. I know you relate to these sentiments!  Of course, I explained all that in excruciating detail  in the letter .  : ))

Here is the pile of motifs I put together along with the letter I composed, explaining what techniques are involved in each one - you know -  Catherine Wheel joins, picots, Clunies and so forth. The package was wrapped up and the bundle mailed off yesterday afternoon!  Whew!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Now, a change of pace...

A mignonette motif, tatted to escape finishing the hankie.

Only 20 repeats more of its edging left to tat!

#21/100 Motif Challenge                #12 Valdani        
Pattern: The Tatter's Treasure Chest
About six inches across


I stopped here; the pattern goes on for lots more rows...
I  think I made the point though and I am now
ready to go finish the you-know-what.

Margaret Called Him Cheeky...

Attention To Detail

Remember that I said (as I always seem to say) I was trying to pay attention to each and every stitch?

Well, I am still trying to do that, and have noticed, as I wrote a few weeks ago, that I have indeed seen a change in the way my tatting looks and the way I feel when I am tatting.

I wish I could get my words around this process because it all has to do with “mastery,” which is a solid part of every creative journey.  Since really noticing this process, and trying to stay awake to it, I have been enjoying tatting even more than before and I believe I do not even get as frustrated.

As I write this I must admit that I realize it is likely that this introspection shall soon pass and I will be back to the old hair-pulling routine, but I am enjoying the ride for now. : )

One thing: I see that I had not been closing the rings entirely, and when I did - particularly with #80 thread, I pull out a length of thread that had been hidden in the tatting before I pulled, creating a bare thread.  Do you know what I mean? 


The thread stretched as I closed the ring, leaving new exposed thread after the close. This is irritating, as I cannot figure out why it is that I am pulling out that little bit of thread. Something to do with the way I hold the thread when I pull?

Since this discovery, I have been closing the rings very slowly, trying to uncover the reason for the problem, but with #80 thread - difficult! It seems I have to pull quite determinedly to get the rings closed tightly, or there is an open bit.

The first round piece of tatting above is what I am working on, as time away from the hankie edging, and I am concentrating on closing the rings.  Because the thread is larger, the process is easier, but I see clearly that in the past I have not paid much attention to the process.  This new awareness SHOULD contribute to a finer finished piece.

I am wondering if the second half of the edging will be noticeably better than the first half, at least to my own eye...

Change of Heart

This is such a versatile pattern and was much easier the second time around.  It just demands close attention to the joins.

                                                                           #20

‘Old Fashioned Heart’ 

designed by Etha Schuette

Thread: Valdani #12

Many beads and colour combinations galore are possible and I found I was eager to finish because I had thought of a more pleasing combo! But, alas, the border beckons...