Tollway Tatters

Before I forget...

Tollway Tatters will meet Saturday, August 19 at the Hinsdale Oasis on 294. We usually meet at about 10 a.m. and stay until 2 or 3 p.m.

If you are in the Chicago area, we would love to have you join us! Look for tables filled with tatting supplies and tatters wearing tie-dye t-shirts!

Caribbean

I started the day off right by tatting an Ice Drop in size 20 Lizbeth #122, Caribbean. I tried an idea on this one that doesn't really work for me. I only added picots on every other chain on the inside chains. It looks okay, but doesn't look as neat as I thought it would. It just looks like I forgot picots!

Then I started the next motif on my sister-in-law's runner. I couldn't figure out why the pattern repeat wasn't working, so I set it aside and headed off for my appointment at the dentist. After lunch, I looked at the motif and realized what I had done. I forgot the second ring!

It would have been easier to snip and start over, but I stubbornly spent the time retro-tatting. Now, I'm back where I should be. My goal was to tat two of these motifs today. Whoops!

Lazy day

I didn't accomplish much today... a few chores around the house, running a few errands, reading, and a little tatting.

Of course I finished an Ice Drop!

I also tatted a little on my edging.

No, it wasn't a very productive day, but it was extremely relaxing!

Playing around

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do today, so I just played around.

I started out look through Tatted Crosses by Sharon Briggs. There are so many pretty patterns in this book! All of the patterns are designed to be tatted with size 80 thread, but I wanted to practice with size 20 first.

This is the center os Sharon's Rose Cross in size 20 Lizbeth, Azalea Lt. I can tell that this cross would be gigantic in size 20. Just the center measures 2" across. I'm glad I practiced this rose motif in size 20 first. It was good practice in tatting chains in a consistent length.

Next, I pulled out this tatting magazine from 1944. Did you notice the price?

The very first pattern was one I wanted to try. It's #8894. I'm using Coats and Clark's size 70, color #8.

It's been a while since I've tatted with thread this fine. It was surprisingly easy!

Of course I had to finish the day with an Ice Drop!

Sewing day

I only tatted one Ice Drop today, again using thread left on shuttles. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but this ribbon has an edging that picks up the colors in the Green Coral Sea. It's very pretty in person!

The reason I didn't tat much was sewing! Denise called this morning and asked if I wanted to go fabric shopping at our local quilt shop. We don't have much to offer in our little town, but we do have a lovely quilt shop! Rocking Chair Quilts is owned by my friend Carol. Her daughters Katie and Annie were two of my favorite students during my teaching years. Carol made many of her daughters' clothes, and they were adorable. So, when Denise suggested a shopping trip, I said yes!

Carol's husband helps her run the shop, and he helps make the sample quilts that provide inspiration. Luckily, I can visit the shop whenever I like, but they also have an online presence. If you like to quilt, I hope you'll check out Carol's shop!

Yes, I did buy fabric and patterns. However, I decided that I needed to finish up some projects before diving in to something new. I had started these pin cushions months ago. I finished sewing, turning, and pressing 29 pin cushions today. They still need to be stuffed, sewn shut, and finished with buttons. Then I will allow myself to start with some of my new goodies!

Some new shuttles arrived in the mail today! I love Rita Richmond's shuttles, and when I saw these, I selfishly snapped them up. I believe I will start tatting with them tomorrow! 😘

Time to relax

I had time to relax this afternoon, and there's no better way to relax than to tat!

While I've had the book New Tatting by Tomoko Morimoto for quite a while, I don't think I've tatted anything from it before.

I started with Marigold Motif in size 20 Lizbeth #629, Azalea Lt.

Since I had Azalea Lt and Green Coral Sea left on shuttles, I decided to combine the two. For this Ice Drop, the Green Coral Sea makes the rings, and the Azalea Lt makes the chains.

Here, I reversed the colors. I think the two go well together!

Very little tatting

I only tatted one Ice Drop today. Why?

I was too busy reading!