Anyhow, here is another photo to give a better idea of the size of the doily so far. It is pictured with two antique bone tatting shuttles, the kind that have a simple design etched into them:
Monday, August 4, 2014
Stawasz Tat-along: Round V
I finally completed Round V of the Stawasz Mega Doily last night, dampened it with a wet paper towel, and let it dry overnight.
Don't get me wrong, I really do like using size 100 thread. I found, however, that because the thread is so small and highly twisted, it has a tendency to form into a knot while I am trying to close rings. I have to be very careful each time I close a ring, repeatedly straightening the thread to make sure it doesn't knot up on itself. It is a real pain when it does, because even the small picks on my Clover shuttles are too large to undo it. I have to use a size 10 sharp needle (the one I use to sew in ends) and stab at the knot until it comes undone. I have pretty good eyesight but I cannot actually see how the thread is knotted because it is so small.
Anyhow, here is another photo to give a better idea of the size of the doily so far. It is pictured with two antique bone tatting shuttles, the kind that have a simple design etched into them:
According to Heidi Nakayama, these bone shuttles were often mailed out as a gift for obtaining one new subscriber to Needlecraft magazine. This promotion ran from 1916 until 1923. Her book, Tatting Shuttles of American Collectors, is a great read if you like antiques or have a tatting shuttle collection of your own.
Anyhow, here is another photo to give a better idea of the size of the doily so far. It is pictured with two antique bone tatting shuttles, the kind that have a simple design etched into them:
Looking really good, I really like the perfect quilter thread when it come to size 100 it did not twist up so bad at all! Also loved the information on your shuttles always good to know!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I will have to try the Perfect Quilter. I can't remember if that was one of the threads I saw at my local JoAnns, or maybe it was something that looked similar. If not, looks like there are plenty of places to order it online.
DeleteI am glad you have good eyesight, my eyes will not do 80 thread, 100 thread would be impossible, having had treatment for cancer in my eye I doubt if I will ever be able to try tatting with thin thread. I think the mat is wonderful, you are doing a wonderful job with the pattern, well done so far.
ReplyDeleteI have a bone shuttle which I found in my grandmothers things, it looks very much like the one I have and the date would match up with it. I have also found some tatting hooks which I forgot I had, they are so thin and must have been used with very thin thread.
Well done I look forward to seeing the mat when you have finished.
Margaret
Thank you Margaret. I have been following along with your story and hope everything turns out well. I'm young enough that my eyesight is still good, so I suppose I should get the small tatting done while I still can! How neat that you found your grandmother's bone tatting shuttle. As far as I know, nobody in my family knows how to tat.
DeleteIt's looking beautiful! So delicate in that fine thread.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane! Working with tiny thread is definitely growing on me :)
DeleteRobin, the doily, and your tatting with size 100 (wow!), is Spectacular !!! All stitches, rings, chains, arches, ... are Perfect :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you muskaan! I'm trying to emulate Elena Koval's work (monedido at InTatters). If I get the chance, I will post about the piece I purchased from her on eBay last year. She uses very small thread and I was inspired :)
DeleteExquisite! And your picots are so even! :-)
ReplyDelete