Whew!

That’s all I can say…..

Like all the organists I know, I was absolutely horrified by the news from Paris yesterday. I’ve had the privilege of hearing the organ several times. Never managed an invitation to the loft, but I’ll admit I was just a tad overwhelmed just being in Notre Dame. To lose so much to fire, I was just plain gripped by the news! And now, we learn the Grand Orgue is not destroyed. Water can do a huge amount of damage, but fire can destroy far faster. Whew!

I’ll leave you with a picture of something else I could be easily overwhelmed by:

The insertion to go on the Linen top is finished and currently on the blocking towel. For scale, that towel is a standard bath towel folded in half length-wise. Now to carefully remove the braids tack these on. I’d like to wear it for Tat Days. We’ll see if I get it all done!

Insertion strip turned

Remember this project?

Well, I finally have reached the top of the second strip of the Rosette Insertion pattern on page 15. Now it’s time to tat down the other side.

In the second photo you can see the paperclip. Necessary to use for the lock join to the core thread. That’s because I chose to simply tat the “pattern” I came up with for the point in reverse. Easier on the brain than trying to figure out the way to tat it all back side or something!

Half Way DONE!

Back in November the OnLine class looked at the antique patterns as published by Mlle Riego. About that time, a linen blouse I picked up from Coldwater Creek developed a problem with the lace trimming. 

Nothing for it but to tat up a replacement! 

Thus was born this project. One strip done, the other loaded on the shuttle (with almost 600 beads and almost 12 yards of thread) to be prepared for blocking and sewing on. Should be done just about the time warm weather hits!

OK….those who know Monterey, know that’ll be October!

Nothing like a realistic goal…snicker, snort!!!!

Insertion turned

Remember this project? I’ve reached the end of the strip that will sit at the neckline. The Tatting Study Group members brainstormed several options. I settled on this one:

Now to tat down the side returning to the beginning point, then to tat the second insertion, carefully take the machine lace off and finally sew my tatting on. Whew! Who knew what the scope of the project was? Certainly not me!

But I’d do it again!! I love having tatting on my outfits.

I created another design element

That’s how I’m looking at it. In the cold hard light of day, it’s a mistake:

Musicians who start playing a piece in one key with their brain still in the previous key can relate.

I’m working a snowflake while keeping at the insertion. The rings in the snowflake are R: 4 – 4 – 4 – 4 . The small rings in the insertion are R: 4 – 4 – 1 – 4 – 4 . I did manage to make all 4 picots the correct length, but I put 4 DS in the center section instead of 1 DS. Sigh. I’m too far along to take it out. I’m counting on the pass along the other edge pulling things enough into shape that when I sew the tatting onto the blouse, all will be adjusted. I hope….

So, instead of just I – IV – V – I , I’ll put that extra vi chord in.

Of beads and thread for insertions

Here’s my choice for thread and beads for the insertion to go on the shirt:

The thread is Herbal Garden Lizbeth in size 40 with 4 colors of size 15 glass beads. If I tat two strips for the full length of the panel, I’ll need 50 inches. That’s a lotta of thread (I’m estimating 25 yards on the shuttle alone with more needed for the ball.)and beads (I estimate 1000). But, I got enough!

That pattern from Monday class is still floating around in my brain. Wouldn’t it look great mounted to hang in a window as a sun catcher? Or maybe as a tree skirt in fun colors! Tamie seemed really taken with that idea. I plan to cheer her on! I’m sad to miss class the next 2 weeks. Tamie will be helping with the teaching as Georgia will be healing from getting a new knee. I’ll be thinking of you both!

Mlle Riego insertion sample

Recently, the Online Tatting Class discussed a pattern from a book credited to Mlle Riego (pub. 1866) available through the Antique PatternLibrary. I disciplined myself to not start on this as I have a monster doily in progress.

This article on the pattern collection shows 3 edgings that caught my eye. I worked the middle one in Lizbeth Summer Fun. Maybe the choice was influenced, just a teeny bit, by the glorious summery weather we’ve had the last few weeks. It’s not quite long enough to be a bracelet, but could be lengthened. I’ve never liked wearing anything on my wrists, so bracelets never tempt me. Even so, I’m tempted to tat one up for the class and maybe for Bookmark.

The interest in the insertion is entirely selfish. You see, I have a shirt in linen that has a decoration sewn on that is not linen, kinda tacky lookin’ if you ask me. It’s already starting to unravel and look even tackier. Nothing for it but to tat an insertion to replace it. With beads of course. Now to choose the thread and beads….