I had neglected my TIAS in an effort to complete a few other projects but have gotten caught up and finished it. In need of a serious blocking, here is my completed Piccadilly Express:
As I predicted early on, I have had to learn a few new skills. First came split rings, then in one swell foop came the floating ring and onion ring, followed closely by the shoelace trick. I was able to tat the onion rings on my first try (very happy about that). I'm not saying I made this without any mistakes, for that would be a major fib; I am saying that I made much fewer that I had expected. I believe I missed a switch shuttles at least once and I'm not sure if one of my chains is going in the right direction. However, since it resembles the completed sample posted by the designer, I'm going to take this as a victory.
I have completed my first Tat It And See and learned something new along the way. I acknowledge that I have a lot more to learn and this has given me the confidence to pursue it.
In the meantime, I have completed the tatted portions of some bracelets, a snowflake, and another heart.
The bracelets are based off the bookmark pattern in Jeanette Baker's Learn To Tat done in Lizbeth size 20 black and size 20 Jellybean.
The heart is 'Tattered' Heart from Lindsay Rogers' book Tatting Collage made in Aunt Lydia's size 10 victory red. It will go to our departed uncle's longtime love.
I am working on a heart for his sister as well. It is a two-part pattern so I will abstain from posting it until it is finished (hopefully in the next few days).
This is Birgit's Small Star tatted in DMC size 5 white and ecru. I really like the sheen and the color combination more than I thought I would, although it does not show well in this photo. I hope to make a few of this combination in size 10.
I also starched the cross for pastor using cornstarch. That was fun. It is fairly stiff now and only in want of a thread to suspend it. I found that the cornstarch was rather thick and gooey. Did I overcook it? I had read where it may be kept in the refrigerator for a while. How do you then make it liquid enough to use again without significantly diluting it? Any advice would be appreciated.
Wow!!! You have been busy and everything looks great!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, GK! I have quite a few things in the works right now, but I hope to get together with you ladies again soon. Wishing I was going to the gathering down in Greenfield this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAn easy way to stiffen tatting is to use white craft glue, pouring some into a small disposable container (like the ones salad dressing comes in at a restaurant) and mixing it with some water (or better yet, purchase Aileene's Fabric Stiffener, which is already diluted and ready to pour). Pour some of the stiffener onto a sheet of plastic wrap. You need enough to lightly saturate the tatting. Also first dampen the tatted piece with some water. Then 'moosh' the stiffener and tatting together, using the plastic wrap to keep your fingers from getting too sticky. Blot the tatting again with a damp paper towel and shape it and let it dry on another piece of plastic wrap. I have had great success with Aileene's Fabric Stiffener! Some pieces go back 20 years!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the information. I still have not stiffened the ornaments and the market is tomorrow, so... We'll see how it works out, I guess. Even if I did them now, I don't know that they would be dry by then. I will definitely keep it in mind for the next round of ornaments.
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