How to finish tatting

 As the Fair gets closer, it’s time to finish entries. Logically, I know the item will be judged on technique of stitching, tatting, or similar technique. But how you finish it makes a difference. By finish I mean mount on fabric, starch, frame, or otherwise prepare for display.

So, tatted lace. How to “finish” a tatted item?????

First off: blocking. Here's a video that I mostly follow.

Let me say most of the time all I do is block with plain water. No pins, no ironing, no starching. I've found these grids from Stephanie Cervi Designs handy. If the lace has a lot of beads, I may block it twice. If picots are a part of the design I may spend time adjusting picots with a pin while damp. If I do starch my lace, I wash the starch out before storing. But for the most part, I don’t “finish” my tatting.

And most of what I’ve learned about finishing has been at the EGA chapter meetings. I’ve learned to mount my lace on fabric, lace that fabric over a piece of foam core, and attach a cord to the edge to complete a project. I don’t trust myself to frame anything. I’ve never been able to cut a straight line. I ask for help with that! I value a good “finisher” for my big projects. It does make a difference.