Tatting as 2017 comes to an end, Part 2

Diane couldn't possibly anticipate the abounding fascination we tatters would have to the reveal of her Ice Drop pattern and tutorial. There is even a Facebook group especially devoted to the craze and it is appropriately named Ice Drop Addicts. 

I've been affected by it, too. Denise Wessman sent me a beautiful one that she had tatted along with a little kit for creating my own.  When I decided I needed one more Christmas ornament to gift this year I was determined it would be a star, and it occurred to me that an Ice Drop star would catch the light beautifully. I looked up to gaze off into the distance thinking about what I might want to do and where I might purchase some of those glass drops when I suddenly noticed that I'm using clear and blue ones to support the artificial flowers in my dining room centerpiece. Now how wonderful is that! Of course I immediately robbed a few from the vase and got to work.

Motif #13 for the 2017 25 Motif Challenge

Stars in Stars Ice Drop 

based upon the original Ice Drop by Diane Cademartori

Size 20 thread

I've provided the link above for Diane's original tatted Ice Drop, but I must also credit the work of Carolyn Craig who describes her idea for the small star joining the rings of the gem setting in her Blue Glass Stars pattern. She shares this pattern in the files of the Ice Drop Addicts Facebook group.

Thank you Diane, Carolyn, and Denise for your inspiration.

While I didn't complete the 25 Motif Challenge this year, I value the encouragement it provided to keep sharing my work. I look forward to starting another challenge for 2018.

Happy New Year!

Tatting as 2017 comes to an end, part 1

I apologize for the delay in updating you on my tatting. Since several of them were Christmas presents, I was busy scrambling to complete them before the big day.

Motifs 12 & 13 of 2017 25 Motif Challenge

2 pillow cases edgings

Variation of Tatted Heart Edging 

Published in Victorian Hearts & Flowers Magazine, 1995

Size 20 Lizbeth thread, Color #147 Red Burst

I bought this issue of the magazine for the heart patterns and this edging. I can't remember exactly which issue it was that year and I kept the patterns and discarded the magazine. I used the hearts patterns numerous times, but this is the first time I worked the edging. It was a happy accident that I omitted the arching chain that should have replaced every other heart in the edging. I was several repeats into the pattern before I realized what I'd done, but I actually liked this so I kept on going. 

I attached the edging as you see in the above picture and I stitched along the edging of the pillowcases as well as over and through the hearts to keep them firmly in place. It was important that they be able to withstand a washer and dryer as I wanted my mother to actually use them rather than keep them boxed up somewhere. I used invisible nylon sewing thread to attach the edging. That stuff is my new best friend. My hand sewing is not as lovely and invisible as it once was and this thread hides itself very nicely.

One more thing I did was to overlap the edges of the lace rather than create a completed circle. Mom had commented on the current inconsistency in the sizes of pillow cases and I wanted to make sure that this lace, which will long outlast these pillow cases, could be removed and applied to another set.

Happy tatting everyone. Watch for Part 2 tomorrow.