Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tatting Tea Tuesday: T-Shirt Edging, Part 1

Yup, you read the title right. It's Tuesday. I've been tatting. And I'm drinking tea. Well, it's iced tea. Iced Earl Grey tea actually.  Made using the Tassimo coffee machine I HAD to get. That's what I keep telling myself. Anyway, I wanted to do a quick post about the edging I mentioned in my last post. Due to a thread breaking on the snowflake-not related to damp thread or anything-I stopped working on the snowflake and started my edging. Actually, I think the problem I'm having with thread breaking is that my tension is too tight. This makes the rings hard to close, and I end up breaking the thread. I experimented earlier with careful control of my tension which reduced the problem. I forgot to mention it in my last post. While I can (and will eventually) reattach the thread and continue tatting the snowflake, I have set it aside for now. I really what to start this edging project. I don't expect to run out of thread, but I wanted to allow enough time to order more thread if necessary. And possibly other threads. And a couple of those cool looking thread holders. Perhaps a few more shuttles....

Anyway, I picked a pattern for tat, and started it last night. I picked Mary Konior's Convolvulus edging pattern from her book Tatting in Lace.


And here it is against the T-shirt I selected:


I think it works, but I want your opinion. I still have a few questions about sewing it on the shirt. Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. I greatly appreciate it. I understand that I should use a matching colour thread to sew on the tatting, but what am I matching the thread to? The t-shirt or the tatting? I assume the tatting. The general consensus of the people who commented was that I want a pattern that has few decorative picots. This pattern has no decorative picots. While I'm sure it will make sense once I start sewing it on, but how exactly do I sew it on? Hopefully I haven't bitten off more that I can chew!

You might have noticed the shuttle in the first photo. It is my newest Pop-a-Bobbin shuttle. It is made out of Olive wood. I love it! I love how it looks marbled. And surprisingly (or maybe not so much) it smells like olive oil!? Before you ask, I don't normally smell my shuttles, but the odour was noticeable as it was warming up after being in the mailbox for a few hours. It's actually kinda nice. I don't like olives, but I have recently started using olive oil in my cooking so I have grown accustomed to it. I can't wait to see what other woods Sally and Nick get their hands on. I'm already looking forward to the Zebra wood that Sally recently showed off.

That's it for now. I will post again soon. Now that I finally memorized the pattern, I am tatting this pretty quickly. Apparently, I can't follow written patterns anymore-I had to draw it out first. The current length is about doubled what is shown above, and I'm one or two motifs away from completing about half the required length. So, if anyone sees a problem with the pattern or thread colour, please comment ASAP. Till next time.



PS: Diane, please take a number!
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12 comments:

  1. MichelleNovember 15, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    When I had a project where I had a hard time deciding on a color (colorful tatting on a black background), I got some "invisible thread". It looks pretty great.
    Maybe you might want to consider that?

    Your mom will love this gift!

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  2. Jeff HamiltonNovember 15, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Now why didn't I think of invisible thread? Thanks Michelle!

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  3. GinaNovember 16, 2011 at 2:51 AM

    Any place you have a join will provide a more open space for sewing to the tshirt. You can always stitch through a ds too. You just don't want any big gaps where the tatting can get caught on something if you move up against it.

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  4. zarinaNovember 16, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    I will be following you very closely on this. I have made a few doilies and birds to test out my HDTs and I plan to make it as a wall hanging. Just need to find the right frame for it.

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  5. Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ DianeNovember 16, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    I think Michelle's idea of invisible thread is great! Before reading that, I would have suggested the color of the shirt. I'm sure that whatever thread you use, your mom is going to be thrilled with this gift!

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  6. Crazy Mom!November 16, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    I always have used the tatting thread to sew with - it works! use invisible stitching technique

    Your mom will love this...

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  7. Sally KersonNovember 16, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I like the pattern you have chosen for the edging and would have said like Diane to use the thread the colour of the t.shirt. My only reservation with invisble thread is that it is invisbile! hard on the eyes! and that it is not so flexible and at times difficult to work with, but that is probably just me! Pleased you like the olive shuttle, you ought to be in the garage when Nick is making them, there is a lovely aroma of wood, although not so pleased with the wood shavings he brings into the house!!

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  8. LadytatsNovember 16, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    I'm with Sally as for as the invisible thread is concerned, however I would add one more thought, invisible thread is nylon, and often the cut ends are pokey and can scratch. if you do chose to use the invisible thread, be sure to hide the end in the hem so it doesn't scratch.
    I would use a neutral color of cotton thread, and make your stitches tiny. if you come up right next to or behind the stitch you want, then come back down through the middle of the ds the tatting should hide the thread. Stitching across your joins, will show. but coming up next to the core thread and down through a ds, snugged tight should hide your stitches.
    hope I made me idea clear. I can see it, but don't know if I described it correctly.

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  9. Margarets designer cardsNovember 16, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    I know exactly what you mean about olive wood, I brought a bracelet in Corfu made of Olive wood, and I wear it often it is gorgeous and lovely to wear. Olive wood comes from Greece mainly
    Your edging looks beautiful and I am sure it will look perfect on your tea-shirt.
    Margaret

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  10. IsDiharaNovember 16, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Thanks for sharing your progress on the shirt edging for your mom on Tatting Tea Tuesday!

    A few of us were virtually tatting along together, which makes me so proud. Reading of your new Tassimo coffee machine fills me to the brim with envy (and I don't even drink coffee).

    The envy only intensified after seeing your fun, flirty and gorgeous Convolvulus edging. Seriously, can I be adopted along with Diane?

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  11. FrivoleNovember 17, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    I love your olive wood shuttle, the markings on it are really beautiful! I think matching the tatting thread to sew your edging on would be difficult as it keeps changing... I would go with the pink of the t-shirt and make tiny stitches through your joining picots. It will be a bit time-consuming as your edging is wide (ish) and you will need to attach it in a good few places if you don't want it to flop about when worn as others have mentioned.

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  12. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    if you use nylon..invisible thread..be aware that its difficult to knot..it will tend to unknot..so allowances will have to be made..I have only used this thread in machine quilting..were you make very tiny stitches for about an inch instead of knotting. Northern Robin, Maine

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