To Zoom or not to Zoom

 I have been looking at opportunities for this summer. Opportunities to learn in workshops and classes; opportunities to teach workshops, lessons, classes; and opportunities to relax in the company of people I enjoy being around. Some of these opportunities are in-person and some are in Zoom computer classrooms.

There are merits to both formats. Some of those in-person meetings will take me away from the local area. Not a bad idea. The “two weeks” has stretched to 6 weeks. I’d like a break from camping in my own home. And no, I don’t wish we had rented a place to stay while the work is being done. Mostly because if it was out of sight, the decisions we’d need to make would not be that pressing and wouldn’t get hashed out. But, then pandemic…..

But Zoom has been good, but it’s not that good. I would be much more effective teaching a workshop in person. I like seeing students succeed and understand what I’m demonstrating. That happens at a higher success rate in-person than over the Internet. But, then pandemic……

I guess the answer is to walk down to the Bay and decide.

Shuttle Winding

 It’s time to wind shuttles for a large project. I’ve sampled, sampled, sampled. I’ve refined the pattern and color plan. So, it’s time for the tedium of tatting. I’ll be combining that with attending a class offered as a summer intensive. Tatting will help me to keep my focus that intensive.

Posted on IOLI

 Here’s a link to the posting of the Biscornu on the International Organization of Lace, Inc. website. 

They have been encouraging lace making for many, many years. Recently, there have been more tatting resources available through IOLI. I encourage you to check out their website and consider joining in the Virtual Convention July 25-August 1, 2021.

The next 2 weeks, I will be attending a class on Church Music & Hymnology. While it is virtual, I will not have unlimited time at the computer outside class. I will be sketching future designs for tatted pieces, perhaps a new ornament collection. Please forgive if I miss a blog post. June 2021 will be an exciting time for me!

Happy tatting!!

Heart samples

 

Split Ring Heart by Georgia Seitz

When I teach, I try to come up with ways to help students get the concepts and practice the skills. For the last class I taught online with the Lace Museum, I used the pattern for this heart:

The pattern is written well. There is a clear diagram, a good photo, and text written out clearly. Some information is assumed, some is noted in a proprietary manner, but as tatting patterns go, it’s quite clear. I like using patterns of this type for classes. I feel it teaches students how to tat along with how to explore more tatting and even how to communicate their designs.

This is my sample I finished after the class ended. I have given up finishing a heart during the online class. I find it too distracting to my primary task of monitoring student progress. I did make sure to talk through how to finish and block the heart. I decided I’ll be putting this in my box of class samples. It clearly shows the path of work.

Now, on to the next project: a design based on music of Palestrina that incorporates a bit of stitching using the Palestrina knot.

Sample, sample, sample......

 That is the mantra I’ve heard. I usually follow it. I mean, you can always use the bits and ends for decorating a card. And when I teach a class, I like to prepare samples to specific points so that I can just pick them up and demonstrate a particular technique or part of the pattern.

So, here are my samples completed from last week’s class: 

I used shuttle to tat 2 of them, and needle to tat the other 2. I have samples in Christmas colors already done, so I just may use these as gifts.

Now, on to the samples for the next class.

Be prepared

 I am prepared….

For the Hearts class. I really like these patterns. They are in my “frequent pattern used pile” and I have many examples. I’ve even made a basket with 3 of them. I’m looking forward to sharing them with the students who’ve signed up. If you would like to join us for 2 Saturday mornings (Pacific Time), head on over to the Museum website and sign up. No particular materials needed, just a ball of thread you like working with and 2 shuttles or needles.

Preparing is exciting

 

I’m in the last throws of preparing for the round of classes hosted by the Lace Museum. I always feel a bit giddy and definitely excited as I pull together the materials. Today I’ll refresh my camera skills and make sure the computer will still play with the webcam the way I want it to. I know, I know, it’s software... not a kid. But for something that stays still, there are a lot of “moving” parts!! I’ll be ready Saturday for sure!

Our game with Jane’s TIAS is taking shape. It’s definitely a critter of some sort…..

 For sign-ups for the next round of my classes. These will again be held via Zoom hosted by the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA. The link is at the end of the class description. Scroll down about half way and you’ll see both classes.

The deadline that is 10 days away is for those who will need to gather materials for the Beginning series (starting Feb. 13, 2021) With the disruption to shipping that normally happens in the winter, if you do not have a shuttle or needle and the recommended thread, register now so that you have time to order. The best deal is through the Lace Museum gift shop. Some of you are lucky enough to live close to a store that stocks shuttles and good thread. For the test of us, we need to plan, order, and then….wait….

I look forward to seeing lots of previous students signing up for the Continuing class to be held the first 2 Saturdays in March. I’ll not be specifying the thread size or color or fiber. Here’s a chance to try out that linen or silk thread you’ve wanted to explore tatting with!

Final thought: Jane’s TIAS 2021 Day 5:

Jane TIAS 2021 day 5

Penelope

 One of the benefits from regularly meeting with tatting friends is being inspired to tat patterns again, and again, and…..

This snowflake is the featured pattern in the Fall 2020Helping Hands Newsletter published by Hand Hands. Kendra Goodnow adapted it last April. It reminded me so much of a mum that I had to tat it in pink. We’ll discuss in today’s meeting how color can make a big difference in whether you think snowflake or flower.

Incidently, the current Winter 2020 newsletter has a favorite of mine: Square medallion adadpted again by Kendra Goodnow. Remind you of a mat I worked up for the Museum classes earlier this year?

Registration will open soon for the January classes at the Museum. Same online format; same beginner series of 3 classes followed by a dive into a pattern. I have received permission to teach a couple of simple hearts. Simple, but you can add beads or use intermediate techniques to zing the patterns up. Join us!

The Basics

 I’m drawn to simple things that turn out to be complicated.

Simple: Driving a straight road.

Complicated: Keeping your attention on the road when it’s straight for 35 miles with nothing but fields on either side.

Simple: Plagal cadence.

Complicated: Double the fifth in the bass (pedal) with a suspension on the top.

Simple: Classic square motif.

Complicated: Sewing thread that needs extra joins to keep the overall shape correct.

Remember this cross? 

Here’s a bookmark I’ve been working on.

Another few hours of tatting (and forgetting picots) and untatting (using my handy, dandy, magnifier) and I should be ready to see if it’ll work as is or will need to be in sleeve to be used wisely. (I DO NOT starch bookmarks! One time of trying to resume reading after the book had sat in hot humid weather taught me that lesson!)

Looking to 2021

 I know, it’s far enough in the future I really shouldn’t focus on 2021, but 2020 has been too crazy! Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t changed my tune. For those that know me well and have worked with me on the bench, I still plan my music well in advance. I have Christmas just about learned, the weeks in between need just a bit more fine tuning, and I have my practice list for the next 2 weeks. I’ve also figured out what I want to work on for designs. The music is just about analyzed, and the broad outline is worked out, and the details are falling into place. What I still need help with?

What do you want to learn in 2021?

I view teaching as a dialogue. I have no set group of pieces or patterns to teach students. I make it a point to ask questions and listen and suggest. It drives some of my students kinda nuts! “Just tell me what to do!” Well, I'll be glad to, but help me out here...... please? The Lace Museum is taking suggestions for future classes/workshops. Please fill out their form for tatting ideas: techniques, patterns, general project descriptions, historical pieces, whatever draws you to thread to tat. That will make 2021 a lot more fun!!

The knot doesn't care how you make it.....

Beaded Bracelet by Kendra

 I’ve been practicing my needle tatting as I taught the class last week. One of the patterns comes from Needle Tatting Techniques & More Edited by Barbara Foster:

The needle I was using is too worn to use for another project. My hands wear off the finish quite quickly. But it turned out just fine!

So, that mistake I asked you to find?

 The last ring in the picture has a join to a “previous ring” that is only clear in the diagram. Well, clear if you look. I joined to a previous, previous ring. Nothing for it but to take it out and retat the ring with the correct join! Here’s the finished trial:

Snowflake from 5 Point Star by Sandy

The beginning tatting class is going well. All the students are learning enough they will be able to join in on the weekend class if they wish. I’m eager to see how the students like working on the mat. After Sunday, I think I will use it on our table for a while just to see how I really like it.

Can you see the mistake?

 

Truth be told, there are many mistakes in this piece. This is the start of my trial tat of a new pattern. I wanted to try out different ways of tatting a “simple” pattern. The thread is Omega thread. Overall, fine to tat with. 

The blue color just does nothing for me. I’ve tried using a complimentary color with it, a couple of colors for a tertiary combination, I’ve pulled out a turquoise similar in value (both lighter and darker), I’ve tried adding beads in various color combinations. It just doesn’t work for me.

I know I don’t see color as well as some people. My daughter sees colors very accurately. She’s been helping me to train my brain to see colors better. It has helped. It’s taught her patience and empathy. I know we’ve hit the wall in a session when she says, “Mom, I love you but……”

So, what is the mistake? For those who have a print 2020 catalogue from Handy Hands, the pattern is in there. All will be revealed Thursday.

Keeping track

 

I encourage students to consider “mistakes” are really just variations. Most of the time, what we see as mistakes aren’t really that bad: the odd loose stitch, a small picot instead of a larger one, or a larger instead of a smaller, a forgotten ring or chain section, or added extra. You get the idea. When tatting up my sample for next week’s class, I knew I wanted it to be rectangular to use with our oval table. So, how many squares to tat per side? All was well until the second long side. I kept second guessing where I was at. You guessed it, I made mistake after mistake. I finally made a small chart in frustration:

I have included a similar chart at the end of the pattern I’ll give to the students. They can use it, or not. It will be their choice. Me, I need simple and clear and ways to reduce the noise as I tat;  a bit like using a bookmark when I’m working through a text. I love post-it notes!

Oh, and bookmarks….

Is it any wonder that I like bookmarks…..and have tatted a few…..just a few….?

If you need the link to sign up: https://www.thelacemuseum.org/workshops.html

Classes begin next Monday!

 I'm ready for the fun! Thank you Lace Museum of Sunnyvale for sponsoring and hosting the classes.

Starting Monday, we will start from the beginning. I know of at least one needle tatter who should be signed up by now. (If you haven’t taken care of that, ahem!) I'll be guiding students through working with shuttle also. By the end of Friday, you will know enough to tat most of the pattern I’ll discuss in the weekend workshop (Sat & Sun morning). My classes are half way down on the Workshop page on the Lace Museum website: https://www.thelacemuseum.org/workshops.html

Here’s a picture of the finished mat sample as a teaser:   

Sample of vintage mat pattern

I will pick up where I left off in July. We only looked at the insert square in July. Now, we’ll look at the edging and briefly touch on finishing. Don’t panic if you weren’t in the July workshop, the insert square is essentially repeated many times in the edging.

See you in class!

Challenge progress

 October is shaping up to be quite busy. I’ve taped two playlists for St. Paul’s for the Friday concert. I’ll be teaching a series of tatting classes/workshops for the Lace Museum. And it’s the time of year to put new plants into the ground so they can benefit from the rains and get a great start. That means lots of time spent trying to figure out the landscaping we wish to maintain and enjoy. So, I don’t have a lot to show for tatting. Just a trial for my Day 14 of Threads That Bind:

My inspiration is doilies from Jan Stawasz’s book TattingTheory and Patterns. I thought the motif looked like a house. Considering all the time we’re spending working from home, I wanted to try it out. The blue version will be the “house” with a roof added and the black version will be expanded in green to represent a tree. It may not work at all, but I gotta try!

I know how to do that!

I'm big on self-talk.....

I try to teach by encouraging, not criticizing.....

I know how to do that!

 I have to keep telling myself that. 

I have a bad habit of seeing something in my brain or hearing something in my brain and before I can get the music in the air or the thread into lace, I talk myself out of trying. 

Perhaps that’s why I jumped at the chance to recreate the vintage mat in the collection at the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale. It’s much easier for me to read the printed score or examine the tatted lace. At any rate, I’ve enjoyed the journey with this mat.

To register, follow this link to the Lace Museum: intermediate class

I’ve finished notating the pattern for the edging. To be clear, this is not the only way to tat a similar edging. It’s the path I saw and used tatting the example. Just a bit more and I’ll be able to block and sew it onto the fabric with the inset.

I also know how to do other “advanced and complicated” tatting techniques. I know how to wrap picots for a daisy picot. I know how to add beads. Just being able to claim that knowledge helps me to persist in learning how to couch and finish stitching the Elephant. Thank you to all those who are cheering me on! I will complete the projects!

Oh, and to register for the beginning class, follow this link: beginning class

Progress and a milestone

 

Maharajah's Elephant
designed by Mary Long

I completed more of the elephant. The next parts involve couching. I know enough to recognize the technique and the basics of how, but not enough to thread the needle and start stitching. So, I’ve asked for help.

I’ve also completed the second round of the edging. The final bit shouldn’t take long to tat. I know how to do that. Look for the promised picture on Thursday.

I'm getting excited!

 The class is listed. Registration will open soon!!

Mar inset with corner of edging  

https://www.thelacemuseum.org/workshops.html (scroll down a bit)

Come have fun with us!