This was quite difficult for me, and took me a couple of tries before I managed to complete it correctly. I am grateful to Jon for her clear instructions. The threads are Valdani 50 "precious pansies" and King Tut "shekels".
Talking of threads, I see other tatters also have a "sample pattern" to give them an idea of how a thread will tat up. Here are a few of my samples...the smallest is Valdani 50, and the biggest is some hand dyed thread from my friend Frances.
I am still having difficulty hiding my ends, either I can't thread the needle or else I can't force it into the stitches, does anyone else have problems with this?
11 comments:
I had problems hiding ends until I found the correct size needles for the size threads I use.
I had to experiment until I found one that would hold the thread end through the eye and slip through the stitches without distorting them.
Now I have a set of needles for size 80 and a seperate set for size 20...just for hiding ends.
Thanks, I must look into finding needles...up till now I have been just using those in a run-of-the-mill supermarket selection.
The daisy picot was difficult for me at first too. Jon's directions are wonderful, so I made it. Your's looks very pretty. I do the same as Sherry for hiding ends. As a matter of fact, when I finish hiding and end and cut it, I leave the thread end in the needle so I will know what which needle to pick up the next time I have that size thread! Hope this helps.
Play with different methods too until you find one that works well for you. I use my size 14 crochet hook to weave the ends in. Sometimes I have to take a pin and loosen up the stitch enough to get my crochet hook through but most of the time the hook is okay on it's own. Size 80 thread....I don't tat with that quite as much but it's hard to hide the ends any way you do it.
:-) Gina
I keep trying the "magic thread" method. Most of the time it works pretty well, but now and again I either can't get the thread to go through or I pull the magic thread out without having the thread end in it! I can't seem to use a needle to hide ends at all.
For hiding ends try using a self threading needle. One that you thread through the top. They're brilliant. You click the thread in and off you go!!!
JaneEb
I can't hide ends using a needle AT ALL! I tat way too tight but I find the magic thread method works a treat, most of the time that is!
Snowy, all your pieces are beautiful! Thank you for sharing pictures... I know I'm inspired!
I use an ordinary sewing needle to hide the ends. Just make sure the eye is large enough to accomodate the size of thread, and that it is sharp. Jane's comment about the self-threading needle is interesting, I'll have to look for those.
Well, Snowy, that was a complete finishing class!! and by the most honorable teachers the world of tatting knows!
Thank you all for your comments, and I'll try JaneEb's method, and take seriously Gina's advice!
For the reason I came in, it's because we studied the daisy picots yesterday at Wally's spanish lesson, and your site was mentionned. This morning it was open, and I knew why snowy reminded me of some good souvenir!
Your work is beautiful, Snowy, and I'am sorry that we live in the same country and that we are not closer!
Lots of love to you all!
For hiding ends I use a very thin beeding needle: the one with sharp ends at both extrems, and an opening in the middle.
Kira. Costa Rica
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