From Concept to Art

Has it really been 2 weeks since the last post? Mmmm Guess I didn’t realize how little I’ve been keeping up with. Or, I have been juggling too much on the calendar. 

I cut out a good bit of tatting on 1 project, haven’t figured out yet how to finish a second, rearranged the creative “stuff” in the house, and been supporting creative folks in the community. I promise to write posts on those activities soon.

Today, I’ll be reporting on yesterday.

Who: Tatting Tuesday Study Group

What: Tatting display with examples of tatting from all over the world.

Where: Lacis in Berkeley, CA

When: Only a few short hours looking at the tatting after many long hours in the car driving there and back.

How: Thank you Joan and Zanie for helping pull off this adventure!

The display was wonderful. I’ve seen photos of many of the pieces on my computer screen. I recognized almost all of the names. So, seeing the tatting in person was just plain awesome. Plus, there were quite a few impressive vintage pieces. Not much information for the curious on who tatted with what thread from what pattern. But, the museum does their best to curate what they have; and their focus is lace which includes tatting and all things lace. If you can find a way to Adeline St., please do. They are only open from Noon to 5 PM which makes avoiding traffic a bit tough, but the journey was worth it. 

A different kind of pick-up

Still working on learning how to pick-up on double weave so that I can weave the chart of the pipes. Here’s the sample I section I worked from the workshop last November. We had guests over last weekend. The Engineer/car nut was expecting to see a pick-up truck appearing as I weave. We provided dinner and the guest provided a show.  

section of pick-up on sampler

 

The progress is slow because each square on a chart is 4 ends. That means for each row of the chart, you pick up by hand using a knitting needle or dowel the squares necessary, tromp the treadle to create the shed, through the shuttle, remove the pick-up tool, beat and then repeat for 4 times. So, for this chart of around 10 rows, I’ll be going through 4 steps for each row or 40 steps which equates to about 10 hours for just this small pattern. Whew! And you thought tatting is slow progress! It will be worth it.

I didn't embarrass my guest. I did relate how a friend introduced a demonstration of spinning/dyeing/weaving by asking the class to name examples of fiber. The kids answered, "whole grains, fruit, vegetables." So, now that class also knows another definition of fiber: wool, cotton, silk.

Back on the loom

I’m back at the loom. Partly because of a project one of the Tatting Tuesday Study Group participants is working on. She used her loom to weave up a hanky. Very nice work! Now she’s tatting an edging to go with it. Perhaps she’ll let me snap a picture someday.

I love Doubleweave and have been intrigued with the process of using a chart, like cross stitch or needlepoint use, to weave up a design. I have a chart for a small cross stitch of an organ with BACH on it. I’ve always wanted to weave up a sample.

You remember the flag I’m working on? Well, I’ll be finishing it to look like a flag from the era our house was built. Another story. Anyway. I got the idea to use a ring & chain pattern similar to the flag to represent the pipes. Then I thought, if I weave the chart Doubleweave, it’ll be like a black and white photo. Then I could add the tatting on top to give it some texture. Like the edging to the hanky.

So, I’m back to the loom……

Progress on triangle piece

Here’s my progress so far.

from Frauberger book 1921

You remember I ranout of thread just a few inches from finishing this round. Since it was going to be on the outside, and I wanted it done right so I could ask for it to be judged at the Fair, I started over. I think this is the first time I’ve worked a doily that starts with the outside round and finishes at the center. The next few rounds are mostly chains, so I need to really be alert when starting it. Time to get some rest.

Of preservation and white deer

Today’s post has no pictures, as you can see, and is a recap of previous ongoing topics.

Preserver or restorer?

A good friend recently described his attitude towards things old as being a "preserver" instead of a "restorer." Well, that fits me too. I enjoy the activity of discovery of things old far more than I enjoy the activity of demolishing and rebuilding. My excuse is that I don't have confidence in my skills and the materials available will be up to snuff when compared with the worn but original item. I also think I must have some archaeology tendencies. I can't seem to demolish something when the story it tells seems important and somewhat incomplete.

I improvise on the organ a bit. It’s fun. But, I like to delve into a published composition and bring their ideas to sound. I like to tell a story I imagine, and I like to read stories other people imagine. Same with tatting patterns. I enjoy bringing a string of symbols and letters or a diagram to life in thread.

I fall in the preserver category. There’s an auction this weekend. I’ll be going not to buy a specific thing, but to see what other people have preserved or restored. Yes, I’ll be tatting there as others spend money.

The White deer is a bully.

 She is probably doing what deer Moms do. But, she’s not sharing. She chases the other smaller deer away from her favorite food source. That bothers me a bit. But, what bothers me more is the food source. Our neighbor has been feeding the deer. Throwing fruit and vegetable and scraps from their cooking over the fence. Where there’s prey, there are predators. I think about that as I hear cars parking and doors closing well after dark. There have been coyote and cougar sightings. I worry that a young person just trying to study for the PSAT or working on a robot will not make it to graduation and never get to college. Just my imagination, but I really wish the deer weren’t fed.  

So, I focus on what I can control.

Our "new" house has lots of stories to tell. I know it will disappoint, and I won't be sharing them all. I just don't have the photography skills to keep up. It will also take years to make the house our own. So, I'm off to research what style of design details I should be using as a steward of this home. 

Curling practise

Still learning to curl.

As I’ve been working on the menial parts of the process and chores, my mind wanders. 

If I feel stiff and need to exercise, I think of working them abs in some curls. 

If I feel like sitting down at the piano or organ, I think of the chordal structure this technique will represent in my designs. 

Usually, the BGM (back ground music) in my head is Rigaudon by Andre Campre. Now, this is yet another piece of opera music that has been high-jacked into the organ repertoire. It was originally written for a ballet-opera. Now, you’ll hear it as a processional like is used for weddings and festivals. Think Pomp and Circumstance, Here Comes the Bride, you get my drift. Virgil Fox popularized an arrangement I’ve used often. Check out a recording on YouTube. The posting of Diane Bish starts out with an explanation of an organ in France. Talk about a workout!

Anyway, here’s a sample of the success I’ve had with my shuttles. The thread is quilting thread. I don’t really like working with thread that is soft and has such a halo, but the color is “piano keys” which is quite appropriate for my designs. Enjoy! 

Curled ring motif designed by Muskaan

of curls and beads and quilt thread

I’m still learning to curl my rings. I think I need to go back to the beginning. I think I need to do a sample without beads in the quilt thread I’d like to use. I think I need to learn to walk before I run. I know I’m burning a fair amount of time with this, but I’ve already amended notes for several patterns based on pieces with chordal structure.

Chordal structure is a term used to pigeonhole music that plunks along with several voices harmonizing at once. Think hymns, barbershop, anything with a full rich sound. The opposite is a melody tripping along with an accompaniment or a fugue. Chordal harmonies are not exclusive to Western European music, but hold a very prominent place in the palette of sound.

Once I get the curled rings mastered, I’ll work on one of these ideas I have and post my sketches as they appear in thread. I will do my best to interrupt the creativity to post Tuesday and Thursday here, but make absolutely no promises. I have very little discipline when it comes to turning off the organ and setting down the shuttles!