Retro Tatting Mistakes

On Sunday, I was working on my T.I.A.S. motif which, by the way, I am thoroughly enjoying, when I noticed that I had made a huge mistake.

Here's what happened. I'm going along smoothly following the instructions for Day 6. It's time to add the third thread color on the chain shuttle. No problem. I've done that before. I add in my new color, hide the ends as instructed, and cut the old chain thread.

Unfortunately, after I added the new color I forgot to make sure my work was reversed and that I was going the right way. I was not using the new color for the chain and the chain was facing the wrong way. I started calculating how far back I would have to cut to fix my error. I was doing so well up to this point and I really didn’t want to have to start that section again. So I figured out a way to cheat a little and not have to cut out anything!

I un-tatted the chain that was the wrong color and facing the wrong way. There was only about an eighth of an inch of thread hidden under the double-stitches and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to hold onto to it and feed it into a new chain.

Then suddenly I had an idea. I put the teeniest bit of glue on the thread end and let it dry. It was a little bit tacky which made it possible to re-tat the new chain in the correct color over it without losing the old end. This isn’t something I would recommend doing all the time but it worked in this instance and I was able to continue tatting!

Ahhhh, Day 6 complete.

Have You Tried The Magic Thread Trick?

If you haven't tried it yet, think about using the Magic Thread Trick to hide ends. Here is a link to Debbie Drakes instructions via Georgia's website that is very helpful. You can find lots of helpful websites if you Google this topic.

I've been trying to use it more often and find that when I remember to start a motif with it, I enjoy getting to the end because I know all I have to do is pull my thread ends through, clip and I'm done.

I also tend to tat very tightly so sometimes I had trouble pulling two threads through. If that happens to you, just do the Magic Thread Trick twice (say that fast three times) and pull each thread end separately instead of both together when you get to the end.

Tatting Update

I have been tatting up a storm. I am still working on my 25 Motif Challenge as well as some homework from Georgia’s online tatting class and Jane’s T.I.A.S project. As I’ve already mentioned in previous posts, my goal this year is to learn some new techniques.

Georgia's online tatting class has been about mignonettes and netting for the last couple of weeks and some of the work we’ve seen is just beautiful. I’m going to try Gina’s Netted Heart. Hopefully, my end result will match the picture.

We’ve been doing split rings, shuttle and thread switches, and adding a bead in the online T.I.A.S. and I never thought so much tatting would be so much fun. While I keep guessing, I have no idea what motif Jane has in mind for us but one thing I’m sure of is the ‘fun factor’ is definitely happening!

Today has been kind of a cold, windy, rainy day – perfect for sitting in front of the fireplace and tatting. I think I’ll start on some of the homework from the online tatting class.

Request for Bag/Tote Patterns

I've had a couple of requests for the patterns I used for the bags.

The crazy quilt bag with the tatting embellishment is called #ps026 Mini Bow Tucks by Penny Sturges. The size is 11" wide by 10" tall by 5" deep. I purchased this pattern at a quilt store, The website is listed as www.quiltsillustrated.com.


The pattern is not a 'crazy quilt' pattern; I did that part myself simply by sewing together strips of fabric in a random crazy quilt kind of way.

The brown and green floral totes were made from a Simplicity pattern, #2685. It measures 17" x 19" and could easily be used as a diaper bag, beach bag, or just about anything else.I used a home decor type of fabric with a canvas lining to make it very durable.

If you make any purses, please post a picture and let me know. I'd love to see them.

Crazy Quilt Bag With Tatting

I just finished making three bags, one of them has some of my tatting motifs on the front. The pattern for the bag itself was easy to put together but it took a couple of extra days to do the crazy patchwork fabric piecing and adding all of the embellishments. It was fun and turned out to be really cute.

The ribbons on each side of the bag can be tightened.

 Embellishments include tatting, beads, buttons, stitching and ribbons.

 

 A closer look at some of the embellishments.

This is the back of the bag with a pocket and button closure.

The other two bags are late Christmas presents. They're both made out of the same pattern and they were super easy to sew. Since I've given both of them away and I liked the bags so much, I bought some fabric to make one for myself. It's hard to tell but these bags are actually a pretty good size and have an inside zipped pocket for storage. I folded up a bath towel and stuffed it inside when I took the photos and there was still room to spare.

There is some decorative stitching below the band and I just love the big wooden buttons.

Now that Christmas 2009 is completed, I can start thinking about new projects for 2010.

TIAS 2010 Begins

Yippee! Jane Eborall's Tat It And See begins today. I've included a link to take you straight to her TIAS blog.

I did one of these last year and it was so much fun. Jane provides a ton of helpful tatting information during the TIAS and tatters enjoy guessing what it is throughout the whole process. Here's a link to the TIAS Introduction page.

If you haven't done a TIAS yet, and even though I've only done one since I began tatting, I encourage you to give it a try. It's a blast!