Guest Author - Beverly Elrod
Oh my goodness! Talk about eye candy. No matter what level you may consider yourself to be, I find that Tatting Patterns by Julia E. Sanders is one of the better books that I’ve seen so far. This Dover publication was initially printed in 1977, which was a republication of original works from the Priscilla Publishing Company. Initially published in 1915, named The Priscilla Tatting Book No. 2. A Collection of Beautiful and Useful Patterns with Directions for Working.
Right from the start the book explains that the brand of cotton thread is no longer manufactured but, suggestions one of my favorite substitutes-pearl cotton-as well as some other threads specified for cotton by different manufacturing companies.
Tatting Patterns illustrates various edgings with pictures as well as directions. Here, you’ll find some of the few patterns which will mentions terminology rarely mentioned in tatting-such as a slip stitch. The written patterns are very discernable and the illustrated pictures are very easy to make out and compare to the written pattern. I’ve found it interesting that various edgings are labeled to specific uses. Examples: Page 5, Figure 18 is designated as a Silk Dress Trimming. Figure 19 is for an Opera Bag. On page 6, you’ll find Figure 14 illustrates a trimming for a Hat-Band while Figure 15 illustrates a trimming for the Hat Rim.
I find it simply amazing to gaze upon the various sprays of tatted wild flowers, trimmings of various threads, yokes tatted and splayed upon netting. I cannot really conceive of spending so much time, working out a multitude of unintentional knots and then to attach the finished items onto a piece of netting to wear. How many hours must have went into this. Yet, to think of how these various displays would enhance a ‘Sunday-go-to-meeting’ dress, wedding dress, etc., I’d call this work a labor of love. But, we won’t stop there because the book and the displays of workmanship go on.
You’ll find collars, doily edgings, frogs (but not just any frog-we’re talking one with a specific purpose-one for a coat), pillow trims and motifs, bonbon baskets and even the alphabet done in split rings. This truly is one of the most fascinating books that I’ve seen in quite a while. But, to mention some of my favorite works in the book are absolutely gorgeous evening bags, handkerchief bags and beaded bags along with the beaded jewelry to compliment them.
This book is one that I’d suggest to every serious tatter to add to their craft library. I’d dare to say that you’ll find more than one item that you’ll want to reproduce for your own use.
