Tuesday, December 9, 2008

#18 & #19 of 25 Motif Challenge

In September and October Aileen blogged about one of her favorite bookmark patterns. It is Tabatha by Kersti Anear. Unfortunately this pattern isn't available on Kersti's new website so Aileen emailed me a copy of it. (Thank you, Aileen and Kersti.) I thought I'd give it a try as the 2nd bookmark for the Winter 2008 Tatting Round Robin Bookmark Exchange.

I did fine on the first half but part way thru the second half I realized I had been making mistakes since I started that half. With it being size 80 thread there were only 2 things I could do, leave it (never, it would have drove me crazy to send it out that way) or cut it out and restart that whole side, which I did. Thankfully I was able to do it without any disasters.

Here is Kersti's Tabatha bookmark in DMC size 80 red thread. It is going to my second round robin partner, Cathy. Because of the redo I am not going to meet the deadline of mailing it today, as I want to make one of the flower paperclips to send also.

Sorry I couldn't get a the bookmark to lay straighter, I tried twice and although it is my error of placement on the scanner, it is really resisting doing it's job any more. So this is what I am stuck with.
Thankfully the #3 bookmark for this challenge was the first one I completed, so it's done and ready to meet the mailing deadline.
When I made the error on the bookmark I had to give myself a break from size 80 thread for awhile, so I worked on Mike's snowflake. (Thank you, Mike!)
It is far from perfect but is was a fun pattern to do. I've only stiffened one tatted piece in the past, however I am going to try to do this one. I've got something called Aleene's Fabric Stiffener. It was the only thing I could find in my small town. Is anyone willing to give me suggestions on what works for you? And is there a good way to apply this? I assume put it on a paper towel and spray away.....?

6 comments:

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I love both patterns... maybe some day, when I finish my Christmas list...

I don't have much personal experience with stiffening. I've tried spray starch, which doesn't make my work very stiff. My friend Denise says she gets her best results with Argo starch, the kind you have to boil. She says it's more work, but worth the effort.

Unknown said...

I LOVe love LOVE the bookmark. It's so unfortunate the way Kersti's tatting patterns have all been lost. I think someone has started a place for them on eTatter's at Ning.

Your snowflake is pretty, too! :)

'RainbowRose' Connie Faulconer said...

Oh Bonnie, this is a really GORGEOUS bookmark!!! You are doing super with the size 80. LOL I too am not going to meet the deadline. I finished my bookmark lastnight (about midnight) LOL.

For a stiffener, I have stiffened quite a few snowflakes, tatted and crocheted. I tried diluted glue, worked, but was pretty messy. In the end, I think my favorite way is just a simple can of cheap hairspray. I also tried spray starch,,,but just found the hair spray the simplest to use and dries pretty quick too. If not stiff enough, just spray again. I found some Styrofoam board about 3 inches thick, I lay on a layer of wax papers, then pin down my project, and spray away until it is pretty soaked. Then let dry. I do sometimes end up having to peel off some of the wax paper, but you can never really tell it.

Beautiful tatting. I have been thinking about trying Michael's snowflakes myself.

Msquared said...

Bonnie, You did a fantastic job on my snowflake! Thank you for posting it. The only think I could add would be when you make the first leg of the spoke out pull your stitches down on the core thread tightly. that will cause the curve to happen. :D
As for stiffener, I use Magic Sizing, you can get it at ANY supermarket. All I do is spray it will I see the fibres relax then hit it with a pressing cloth and an HOT iron. because you use a pressing cloth you can set the iron to linen, it will cause quite a lot of body. if you need it to be even stiffer just spray again and iron. :D
I am honored that you did my pattern. thank you. :D
Mike.

LadyShuttleMaker aka MadMadPotter said...

So uh.....since you have done so fabulously with size 80...what do you think about the smaller threads??
Excellent work Bonnie!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh the tatted snowflakes are a sweet piece of visual candy.