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The Gentle Arts


The Gentle Arts book 
While I am always reluctant to make New Year’s resolutions, I openly declared that 2013 was going to be a “gentler” year. Coincidentally, while sorting books I came across “The Gentle Arts – 200 Years of Australian Women’s Domestic & Decorative Arts”. It is full of  amazing textile work – from hand coloured photos to filet crochet,  delicate embroidery to  weaving – fine and gentle work.  … which motivated me to learn shuttle tatting.  A friend gave me a shuttle and lent me a basic instruction book – first attempt not so successful! I hate to say I failed, but the results were certainly an alternate version of tatting! I just could not get the right thread knotting around the other!  
History of tatting in  Australia in "The Gentle Arts" 
Tatting instructions 
While on holidays, my mother taught me to needle tat and that seemed quite easy, so back to working with the shuttle with even more determination.  Fortunately my aunt visited and brought with her a giant tatting shuttle and some cord. I tried that and this was the turning point – yes, a successful tatted chain and with some little picots!
Samples of  my learner tatting ... top right hand samples of needle tatting, and others are tatted with a shuttle. 
Tatting is not only one of the gentle arts, but it is also one of those useful domestic arts that can be done while watching TV.  So thanks to the return of Master Chef in the evenings for an hour or so, I have continued to practise my tatting and make some temari which I think is another gentle art. 

and a special mention ... Happy birthday to a special nine year old. 

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Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 31, 2013 at 12:09 PM

    I am definitely a failed tatter. My teacher told me I was her very first failure in 40 years. At least if you make a mistake in crochet, you can undo it. Don't have to throw it away.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 1, 2013 at 7:06 AM

    Transferring the knot from one thread to the other is tricky! I couldn't get the hang of it until I saw a you tube video, written instructions just don't show it I found. There is a wonderful blogger that tats using her own hand dyed threads, if I find it I'll send you the link, her work is just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wilma Simmons (Empress Wu Designs)February 1, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    Thanks Judi and Tracy,
    Tracy, good tip - I will have a look at youtube too but found the giant shuttle with rat tail cord worked really well. Judi, I'll show you when I come up to Hervey Bay in March.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BluMoonFebruary 2, 2013 at 7:52 AM

    I haven't tried tatting but you have made a good start! I love your Temari they are so beautiful.
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete

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