Well How About Tat

http://www.allcrafts.net/tatting.htm#freeprojects

I am teaching myself to tat. As if I didn’t have enough to do, but anyway……….!!

Tatting is a very old craft that has seen a revival of sorts in recent years. Defined as a "technique for handcrafting a particularly durable lace constructed by a series of knots and loops" (Wikepedia), I first heard about tatting in the Macleans magazine  back in July. Being a weekly Canadian news magazine, I hadn’t suspected that I would discover a “new” craft in it.

But it was perfect timing. I was getting ready for my vacation, and knew that the wool for my Owl Sweater would be too bulky to pack to knit while I was away. Tatting just takes a shuttle or two and crochet thread.

A Tatting Shuttle

Finding a shuttle was more difficult than I anticipated, I tried all the craft, sewing, quilting and knitting shops in the vicinity, but no luck. Then out running errands I passed Walmart. Now I have a love hate relationship with Walmart. On principle I don’t like Walmart for many reasons that I don’t want to get side tracked into here!! But of course it was where I found tatting shuttles!!!

Tatting Away Happily!

I then did a lot of research on the web, (what did we do without Google and Youtube?) and found that it was the ideal thing to pick up on holiday and practice away!

And in one of those coincidences, I picked up a book in the house we were renting in Ireland. It was a book about old Irish crafts, and of course there were references to tatting along with other lace and crochet techniques.

More Concentration, I Needed My Glasses This Time!!

I am just about ready to tackle a little flower, then a butterfly, followed by a piece of edging. I found some amazing blogs with step by step instructions.

Of course I have greater plans in mind. And can’t you just see beautiful tatting edging on the sleeves and collar of the Colette patterns Violet Blouse  and what about a little tatted flower  instead of a bow in the centre of the Colette Pastille dress.

I like the idea that this is a really old craft that was being forgotten and is now being given the modern touch!!

I will try and remember to post my progress every couple of weeks!!!

Vacation Musings

While in London recently for the Olympics and in Ireland for golf, I also managed to sneak some sewing related things.

I managed a quick trip to Walthamstow (at the very end of the Victoria Line) to see the fabric shops that Karen (Did You Make That) and Tilly (Tilly and the Buttons) have mentioned before in their blogs. Mindful of the fact that I still had to fit things in my suitcase to return to Canada, I only bought two pieces of fabric. 

This one is going to be a Hazel dress when it grows up.

This one is destined to be underlined and made into a Colette Beignet skirt with the stripes going horizontally. I've had the pattern for over a year, waiting for the ideal fabric to come along!!

Me Made Holiday

Well not exactly, but I did wear a few me made items on my recent holiday in England and Ireland. Actually two, my Black Jalie Jeans and my Yellow Sewaholic Renfrew t-shirt (I did wear my Sewaholic Alma blouse and my black cropped pants but no pictures unfortunately!).

We started in Oswestry for a few days, visiting family and then London for 5 days of the Olympics before heading off to Ireland to rest and play golf.

I didn’t plan a Me Made Holiday, but it just shows that some of self stitched items have become such a part of my wardrobe that I packed them without thinking about it!

Cute children, but not mine (mine were left back home working!!)

Here we have my bright yellow Sewaholic Renfrew t-shirt. This was taken at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.

Here we have the Black Jalie Jeans at the Olympics. We were off to watch Ladies Field Hockey in the Olympic Park (Riverbank Arena).

The Alma blouse

I was so excited back in Early June when I got an e-mail from Tasia from Sewaholic to ask whether I would be interested in testing her latest pattern. The Alma Blouse.

It was excellent timing. I had just finished my Colette Pattern Pastille dress and could not decide what to make next. I had sewing block as it were!!