Do you have a local community to tat with?

I feel very lucky; I’ve found a group of tatters in my local area. Some live an hour or more away. That’s why we use Zoom along with meeting in my studio. With technology, those who feel a bit under the weather can still check in. We always have good questions to ponder, lace accomplished to celebrate, and sometimes a vintage piece or pattern to study.

My local group doesn't tend to tat the same thing. We each have our tastes and preferences.  I find this encourages beginners to join in the fun. We’ll often tat something someone else has tatted. But, when we gather, we share our explorations in tat-land. 

If you wish to start a local group, find a location that can host you along with a way to connect using technology, gather your tatting-in-public bag, and get out there. Change up how and where you look for fellow tatters. Polish how you draw people’s experience and curiosity out. And don’t give up even when no one shows for several sessions. It can be done.

Elephant in the room

I’m still working on tacking down the canvas after plunging the ear. I must limit myself to tacking down just 1 or 2 a day. That’s all I can take!

All About Knots

 

Before blocking

I worked my way through the Celtic Snowflake pattern in Mike Lyon’s book. I thought it would be a good pattern to try in the silk thread. After spending quite a bit more time on it than I planned, I’m not so sure.

You begin by tatting a ring/chain motif.

Then tat 2 more chains.

The chains weave in and out to create the pleasant knot effect. I like the pattern.

The thread is machine embroidery thread. The variegated colors have helped me when testing a pattern. I can figure out how much thread to use easier and see the path of the chains weaving. It was a bit of a challenge as my eyes are still stabilizing after surgery. A magnifier is a must!

Can I use silk thread? It will be easier to coax into place during the assembly stage. It’s spun/plied smoother than the Signature thread. Using 3 colors should look quite interesting.

I’ll decide after I finish a project or two that have seemed to materialize in the to-tat pile.

And continues

 I’ve been busy with things other than tatting. So, no news of my silk adventures.

 Well, I can share that one of the silk floss colors that I wanted to use in the biscornu project has proven to be frustrating. I’ll be stitching along and all of a sudden, the thread will just undo itself. The ply is gone, even the spin and then it just comes apart. I’ve had thread do this before when it was degraded by sunlight. A bit frustrating, but I do like the color and such.

Tomorrow I’ll be setting up the folding organ for Trick or Treating. It’s always fun!

Stay safe and have fun!

The fun continues

I’m digging out music I haven’t had the courage to play in ages! The challenge is to practice so that I don’t end up on the injured list…..again. So far, I’ve found the recipe. I suppose I should set some goals so that I feel like I’m not just amusing myself, annoying the cats, and will have nothing to play when the inevitable request comes in. You know the one: “Oh, you play? Play me something I like.” I always feel like grabbing a set of tiny cymbals and banging them with a goofy grin on my face. That goes over better if I can say where and when I’m performing next and invite them to come listen.

Yesterday I received a wonderful gift of some silk sewing thread. It looks like I’ll be able to tat with it. I will need to use my magnifier since my eyes are still adjusting to the new lenses. I can’t wait to try out a favorite pattern. What would you choose to tat?

More silk thoughts

The samples of silk that were gifted me have opened up some fun creativity. The tatted sample has been fun to show around. I know I’m not the first to tat with silk. Just consider some of the wonderful tatting coming from Japan. A good friend has offered to pass on some silk thread she received to tat with. Working with silk just doesn’t ignite her creativity. A bit like me working with wool. I can’t wait for the thread to arrive and see what I can create with it!

I’ve worked my way through 2 squares of the biscornu. Seeing how the beads and thread work together in the design has been fun. I’ve done the math and will not have enough thread to stitch all 15 sides. No worries though as I have a bag of badly stored (tangled and such) silk floss I can sort through to see what suits the design. Or I can just combine the silk with cotton. So many options.

First though, I will be getting back to the bench. Cataract surgery has restored my ability to read music. It’s not perfect. I still hit wrong notes. But, sight-reading is now a possibility again. It’s more fun to sit on the bench and play the organ again. I promise I won’t spend all my time at the console. I will get back to my shuttle. And maybe even my loom as I can see well enough to dress it more accurately.

Such fun I will have!!

Continuing with silk exploration

Ever tat something you just can’t resist touching? Every time you see it, you just want to pick it up? That’s me and the motif in silk. The thread just feels wonderful. I can’t wait to tat an edging for a dress or shirt. I’ll tat it first and then attach it, because even though it’s silk and it will not last forever, I’m sure it will outlast the clothing. I’ve been mulling ideas around. Just as soon as I decide what I want to tat, I’ll be ordering thethread.

For now, I’m stitching a 15-sided biscornu. Yes, 15 sides. The other one I completed has just 2 pieces. This pattern has 15 pieces joined together in an intricate way. It took me several days of digging through my stash to decide what to use for the pattern and beads. The thread was the main point. More silk from Z-twist Dye Works. I enjoy stitching with silk. Yes, I’m a bit nuts that way!