Work Inspired by Tatting Shuttles

I find it interesting that different shuttles inspire me to do different types of motifs. I should probably say right here that I only have three different types of shuttles: Clover, Aero, and Pop-A-Bobbin.

For some unknown reason, the only shuttles I can find locally are the plastic Clover shuttles. I have come to love these shuttles because they're comfortable and have a fantastic tip on one end.

I have purchased several Aero shuttles and also love working with them. I like the fact that the bobbin is removable/interchangeable and, again, the Aeros have a wonderful tiny hook on the end. However, I thought they were a little too long so I asked my husband to snip off the extra plastic on the back tip of them and now they're perfect for me.

I recently splurged and purchased a Pop-A-Bobbin shuttle and absolutely fell in love in love with so it quickly that I've asked to be put on the waiting list to get another one. This shuttle is a little bit bigger and heavier than the other two shuttles I use but it didn't take any time at all to be completely comfortable with the differences. I actually really like the fact that it is a little heavier than the others. The little indentation where the bobbin plug goes makes it easier to hold onto and the shuttle doesn't slip out of my hand - an unexpected benefit.

 

Anyway, I almost always use the Clover shuttles when I'm trying out a new pattern or technique. I'm just very comfortable with it and it is often the first shuttle I reach for.

When I use the Aero shuttles, I usually pick projects that I will be traveling with. The hook is built into the tip of the shuttle so I don't need to carry an extra crochet hook, and I can easily carry an extra bobbin or two in case I need more thread.

What I've found with the Pop-A-Bobbins shuttles is that they are fantastic for edgings. These shuttles hold a ton of thread and, like the Energizer Bunny, I just keep going and going and going...

Spinning My Wheels

Do you ever feel like you're spinning your wheels? I do.

I feel like I've been productive with my crafts and tatting and yet I don't really have anything to show for all the time I've spent working them. How can that be?

Maybe it's because I've done a little bit on many different projects. Let's see what I've done...

(1) Add some edgings and embellishments to a crazy quilt block; (2) Practice tatting several small motifs to use in a pendant exchange; (3) Shop for findings and embellishments to add to my pieces; (4) Work on burp cloth edging and Filet Panel by Mary Konior, Tatting with Visual Patterns; and (5) Cut out and begin sewing a couple of large tote bags for friends.

I guess I have been more productive than I thought!

 Testing some half-closed rings for crazy quilt embellishment

Filet Panel from Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns (unblocked)

Edging on second burp cloth (triple crochet then double crochet around edge)

What have you been working on?

Tatting on Crazy Quilt Blocks

I know, I haven't posted any pictures of my tatting lately. I've been tatting away but I don't have any completed items to take photos of just yet. I've been working on a couple of Mary Konior patterns which I just love.

Lately, I've been drawn to edgings. Probably because I've also been doing some crazy quilting. You can purchase beautiful edgings but I prefer making them myself to add to the blocks. The tatted edgings and motifs don't require much as the blocks themselves are usually only about 10-12 inches square. It's pretty easy to work up a length of edging to fit a section of the quilt block. Many times you only need a few inches to cover a seam.

Easy ring and chain motifs can be done in all sizes. All types of thread and embellishments like buttons and pins can be used on or near them to highlight their presence on the block. Here are some plain white test ideas I was trying out.

 
Using BTS (bare thread space) in tatting opens up all kinds of new possibilities. You can weave a pretty ribbon or strand of beads through the BTS and create lots of pretty designs. I've even found a way to spice up plain old rick-rack so that it looks completely different than you imagine it would.

I have a sewing machine that does a lot of different stitches but I also enjoy doing hand embroidery so I may use some of the stitches for inspiration but completely change them up and add to them just for the fun of it.

As soon as I finish the current quilt block I'm working on, I'll post a photo of it.

Crazy Quilt Blocks + Tatting = joining old knots and stitches together for a new twist (well, for me anyway)

Butterfly Tatted Using Both Needle & Shuttles

I've been working on a butterfly and was surprised at how much trouble I had selecting just the right pattern. I love all the little butterflies that you can make to use up extra thread on a shuttle, but I was looking for something with a little more substance. I wanted to challenge myself and be able to post it on the 25 Motif Challenge as well as send it off to it's new home.

I finally decided on the Green Butterfly pattern by Martha Ess - yep that's the name of the pattern. I chose some pretty Lizbeth thread and started tatting. If you've read the post about this butterfly on my 25 Motif Challenge blog, you know that I used both shuttles and needles to tat it.

Once I selected which thread to use, I wound my shuttles CTM to get started. When I read the pattern, I realized that the center rings are the first sections to be tatted. Well, I had already wound my thread for the larger sections of the wings and didn't want to have to cut it and start the wings with two ends to hide.

That's when I decided to needle tat the center green rings. It worked out great and I didn't have any extra ends to hide on the larger sections of the wings.
 
There was a challenge to completing the butterfly because there are five sections to be joined together. Even though the pattern directions are clear and easy to follow, I somehow always manage to flip things the wrong way or join something upside down. Joining sections or smaller motifs into a larger piece is definitely something I should continue to practice.

The butterfly is actually rather large compared to the pieces I've been tatting. It's about 5" wide and 4" tall and if you click on the picture, you'll get an idea just how big it is. At the bottom of the picture, I included the colors of thread used.

Now the butterfly is complete and it's been blocked and photographed, so I'm sending it to the Palmetto Tatters Guild as my membership fee for the 2010.

[Note: 3/2/10 added link to Green Butterfly pattern]

Superbowl Tatting

I wanted to watch the Superbowl game today and tat but I didn't want to start anything that required a lot of concentration. While surfing the web one day I came across these adorable burp cloths and baby blankets that are hemstitched and ready to be edged from Ammee's Babies. It was the perfect project.

The burp cloth is really soft flannel about 8" x 18" and because they are already hemstitched, all I did was crochet around the edge once and then add a tatted chain (3-3-3) to finish it off.

I enjoyed the game and was able to finish a cute little project without having to do any untatting today!