Hisayo Sugita's "Tatting Lace" is a 62 page A4 size paperbound book published in 2009. The full color photographs on every page make it a visual treat. The numbered pattern diagrams are multi-colored also. It does not contain basic instructions for tatting but it does have a page of techniques illustrated in the back. This book would challenge the beginning tatter and would provide many hours of happy tatting for the experienced.
 Cover |  Style of tutorial |  Style of pattern |
There are 46 pages of traditional collars, doilies and runners and large items with an additional section on small accessories like cell phone pouch, little bags, gift bags and 6 exceptional handkerchief corners and edgings. A section on 3-d tatted flowers includes 4 tutorials. Included are leaves or petals using the ball thread join in the style of "Kleurrijk Frivolite" by Tode Haan-van Beek. It is sometimes called inverted tatting or Dutch tatting: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52553.asp. [Also available in English.]
The most unique feature of Ms. Sugita's book is the 8 page full color photos of inspirational tatted items. They include 3 full size tatted collages depicting a vegetable garden, a flower garden and the uniquely Japanese image of a flower cart. Such an image is often used on a Japanese folding screen. Hisayo very cleverly used a familiar collar (or doily) pattern for the cart wheel. A perfect choice! Her techniques include flowers created with tatted simple rings, dimpled rings, split rings, the classic rosette and encapsulated elements.
Other projects are collage pictures composed mostly of rings or very small tatted motifs. And there are several 3-d projects, ornaments for girl's day and boy's day celebrations in Japan as well as 8 examples of western style holiday wreaths and tree decorations. 6 tatted fans show a decided Japanese influence on a traditional item. I was greatly impressed by the 3 portrait pieces, a traditional bride in gown and veil, a flamenco dancer and three huge blossoms in a large round doily.
A beautiful book in all aspects.
Note: I acquired this book for my personal tatting reference library. - G. Seitz
