Tollway Tatters

We did it again! Thanks to Sue Anna making the arrangements, The Tollway Tatters met at the Hinsdale Oasis for a day of tatting, chatting, sharing, and eating. Can you tell we had a great time?

Sue Anna got to take the picture, because she has the longest arms. That's Sue Anna in the front. Clockwise from Sue Anna... my friend Denise, me, Barbara, and Marilee.

We celebrated International Tatting Day one day early. Although after our discussion regarding Leap Year, maybe we met right on time! 

TheTatting Forums Shuttle

Membership has its benefits, or so they say! In this case, I believe it's true! I am a fairly active member of The Tatting Forums, and Chris Hinton has designed a new shuttle especially for members.

Lucky me... I am one of the first to receive one of these little beauties! The top side says "The Tatting Forums, Est. 2010."

The bottom side has my name and my member number. I LOVE it! It's made out of cherry, and it can be ordered with or without a pic tip.

Oh, and the pretty little blue pen... it's my quad hook pen from LadyShuttleMaker, with hook sizes 10, 11, 12, and 14. I can hardly wait to use it! Mine doesn't have a lanyard, but that's okay. Now I have a reason to do more shopping! ; )

Sulky Blendables #4009 ~ Foliage

I didn't think I was going to like this color, but it surprised me! I think it's gorgeous! The shuttle is from an exchange with Lily two or three years ago. I love the purples and blues with the touch of bling near the tip. Shuttle exchanges are so much fun!

Never let it be said...

that I limit myself to one project at a time!

I couldn't help myself. I went looking for something... I've forgotten what... I saw the thread holder, shuttle, hanky, and thread all within a few inches of each other, and I knew I just had to start another project!

I purchased the hanky at a discount store when I was visiting Mom in Alabama a while back. The thread holder and shuttle were decorated by me during my Mod Podge binge last year. The thread is size 80 Lizbeth #165, Grape Splash. The pattern is Baby Lace from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior.

I sure am enjoying working with the fine threads!

Mystery Thread

The next shuttle in my collection is Vineyard from LaCossette. I LOVE this shuttle! Normally, I don't care for purple, but I knew this shuttle had to be mine from the moment I saw it. As I took it from its place in the display case, I saw that the bobbin was fully loaded, but what was the thread on there? I've looked through my Handy Hands thread chart, and none of the colors seem to be the right one. So, unless one of you can help identify this pretty colorway, it will remain a mystery thread!

LaCossette was kind enough to respond to my plea for help with the thread binding up in the bobbin...

I thought about what you said about the thread sometimes getting imbedded on the bobbin, making it hard to unwind. I would guess maybe that's when the bobbin is a bit tight and you have to pull a bit harder on the thread to make it unwind and that forces it in between the layers of thread below. Might that be it? In that case, you just have to be a bit more careful to help the bobbin along rather than just pull the thread out. It has happened to me on a rare occasion, but I know what you mean.


I paid close attention as I was tatting, and I think she's right... and, I think that uneven winding of the bobbin contributes to the problem. I may try using the bobbin winder on my sewing machine to load the next bobbin. That way the tension and the winding would be more even. I'll be sure to let you know if that helps!

Sulky Blendables #4007 ~ Red Brick

I do like the way this thread looks tatted up! I was reading the information on the color chart that I picked up at The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo, and I learned that the color changes in this thread occur every 2 1/2 - 5". I haven't looked closely to see if the changes are truly random as the information indicates, but I do like the flow!

The shuttle is Blue Diamond from LaCossette. Isn't it pretty? I am finding that these shuttles work best for me when I'm using size 40 thread... is that normal? I wonder if the thread binds up on the bobbin because of the way I'm winding it. Does anyone have any insight? I do love the light weight of these shuttles, and the crochet hook in the end makes joining a breeze!

...and now I have another set of motifs to send off to Chris and Erin Hinton to be made into Tatted Shuttles. I have no idea how long it takes for Chris to make these shuttles, but they do turn out nice and I think they're well worth the wait. I can just imagine people admiring my tatting encased in epoxy 100 years from now! ; )

By the way, I've made the offer before, but everyone may not have seen it. If there are any of these Sulky Blendables threads that you would like to try, please let me know. Send me an email with your mailing information and the colors that appeal to you, and I will be happy to send samples of thread. The 30 wt. Sulky has 500 yards per spool. That's a lot of thread, and I'm pretty sure I won't have time to tat it all!

Sulky Blendables #4006 ~ Autumn

This thread definitely looks like Autumn to me! The shuttle is one of my favorites from LaCossette.

Funny, I never was able to get the hang of using a bobbin shuttle until I tried one of LaCossette's. I'm not sure if I was used to closing rings by pulling on the shuttle instead of the thread, or if I had some other problem, but now I do love these shuttles!