finished and in use

The final step in the weaving process is “finishing” the piece. For me, it’s always gifting it or putting it to good use. But then, I usually have a use in mind when I’m creating something. In the case of the covers using leno technique, finishing was throwing in the wash and dryer. I didn’t want something fussy and wanted to see how the yarn/thread worked.

thwarting the cats and giving me enjoyment

In this case, things softened up and after a pressing, look quite nice. The holes created by the leno sections no longer are crisp, like tatted rings, but rather gentle lacy areas.

The workshop warp is almost ready. Deadline for that is looming, so I’d better get busy!

an edge to a sample

A big advantage of this house is that I can spread out and have room for all my projects. Well, not all, but I’ve set up the loom, 

ready to warp

moved an organ in, 

ready to play

set up a tatting room

ready to tat

and a computer room.

ready to document

Hee heee. I’m using everything. Really.

I’ll be taking a workshop in November on Doubleweave.
More on that later.How am I working that into my tatting? Well, I create this sample of pick up on plain cloth:

Unknown cotton thread for warp and weft (probably 10/2)

And will add an edging tatted in the dark blue thread. 

Chain Reaction by Mary Konior

It should all come together Thursday.

rain, rain

Anybody got an umbrella?
No wait, there's too much wind.....how 'bout a towel?

I grew up in Oregon. It rains there.

The Pineapple Express has pulled into town here in Bay Area, CA. We're getting rain.

I spent yesterday preparing for the rain and wind. Now I can curl up with my shuttles and stay warm and dry.

Until the drain in the street gets clogged with leaves. I'll be checking out the window frequently, but if the street floods, it will likely be because there's just too much water coming down.

The water is hot for tea, I'm off to my tatting chair.

Chair canvas is done

I have finished the needlepoint canvas I have been stitching for the chapel chairs. Whew!

 

completed canvas still on frame

I’m not sure what I’ll be tackling next for the group. There’s a fair amount of work to be done organizing yarn. There are also a few canvases coming back partially stitched. I may take on the finishing of one of those canvases. And we thought this project would be a 20 year project!

 

Blue Field of Flag

I’m very lucky to have a good space to work on my tatting at my house. Remember the tatting chair? I still TIP (tat in public) quite often. It’s not practical to take all of my projects out the door though. So, I always have a smaller, generic project in the ole tatting bag.

my bag for tatting in public

what's inside my TIP bag

 My current project? A tatted USA flag. I first found this pattern through the OnLine Tatting Class several years ago. Now, Workbasket was not a scholarly magazine. It was published several times a year with all sorts of handiwork projects described. The patterns sometimes needed a bit of editing, but they can be a great springboard for a creative tatter.

I’ve been intrigued by this flag pattern for quite some time. I could tell with a bit of study that we didn’t have the whole pattern. Well, not just the whole pattern, but if you followed the pattern as given, you would have one funky lookin’ flag! Fast forward several years to summer 2014.

I’ve been working on my version. Here’s what I have so far. 

blue field of US flag

This blue field will have white tatted stars sewn on top. The red and white stripes are next to tat. I can’t wait to see it done. It’ll probably be next summer before I get very far. Sigh!

Chapel chair in use

Time has flown by. I’ve been working steadily on the Saint-Saens. With the cooler weather, I’ve been able to work an extra hour or so. I did end up cutting out and changing how one of the motifs joined. That took 3 days work, but it’s worth it!

Last weekend saw a milestone:

The chapel chairs are back and now in use. Here’s my little contribution:

Thank you to Don and Penny for the photo and all your help. I hope everyone can see enough to appreciate how nice the chair looks. The design really does bring the stained glass windows into the interior of the church. In case you’re wondering (and even if you’re not curious) folks estimate 2 hours per square inch of stitching. Most of my stitching was done during the healing phase of my summer. It saved my sanity!

Now on to more Saint-Saens and may be some pineapple doily.

Sacred Threads Canvas done

With the summer heat, I’ve not been tatting much in the afternoons. So, I’ve chosen to spend more time stitching my chair canvas for Sacred Threads. In fact, the canvas is finished! Whew!!!!!

Now, it’s off to the upholsterers. Pictures will be posted after it gets back.

In case you’re wondering why the long silence on the blog, it’s been priorities. I am walking now. Exercises take up several hours a day. It’s uncomfortable to sit at a desk for long, and my laptop battery was showing its age. Plus, I had all the stuff we brought back from my Mom’s house to go through and find a place for in our house.

All that combined left little time for scanning and writing and posting. But, I should be back to normal now. All right, what passes for normal with me, hehehe