Norma Benporath (1900 - 1998) designed lovely tatting patterns which were published by SEMCO in the pre- and during the WWII years. There was a great struggle to get permission to use scarce paper for that purpose and it was a tribute to her affect on morale that it was possible. She was also published later in the Australia Home Beautiful magazine and others. Although blind in her latter years, she was a member of the Tatting Guild of New South Wales. They are now the holders of her works some of which are back in print.
Norma received the highest distinction for a tatter of which I have ever heard. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for work in tatting.
On page 13 of her book, "Tatting", Norma offered a set of four designs. These were intended for bridge mats or tablecloths. The symbols are the heart, diamond, spade and club.
All four bridge symbols are based upon this foundation cloverleaf pattern. Then a ring and chain border is added to build the outline of the individual motifs. Here is the pattern from the heart. The other motifs will be added to the articles list under "Bridge, Cards, Games."
New Model by Sue Duckles.
Foundation Cloverleaf
Ring 1 R 3, 13 p sep by 3 ds, 3. clr dnrw leave no space.
Ring 2 R 3 + (join to last p of ring 1) 3, 17 p sep by 3 ds, 3. clr dnrw leave no space.
Ring 3 R 3 + (join to last p of ring 2) 3, 12 p sep by 3 ds, 3. clr rw
CH 9, 4 p sep by 3 ds, 3. rw
Ring 4 R 3 - 3 - 3 + (join to 5th p of ring 3) 3 - 3 - 3. clr rw.
CH 3, 4 p sep by 3 ds, 3. rw
Ring 5 R 3 - 3 + (join to next to last p of previous ring) 3 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 - 3 clr rw
CH 3, 4 p sep by 3 ds, 3. rw
Ring 6 R 3 - 3 + (join to next to last p of previous ring) 3 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 - 3 clr rw
CH 3 - 3 - 3 - 3. rw
Ring 7 R 3 - 3 + (join to next to last p of previous ring) 3 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 - 3 clr rw
CH 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 rw
Ring 8 R 3 - 3 - 3 + (join to 7th p of 2nd ring of clover) 4 - 4 clr rw.
CH 3 - 3 - 3 rw
Ring 9 R 3 + (join to previous ring) 3 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 clr rw
Ring 10 R 3 + (join to previous ring) 3 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 clr rw
CH 3 - 3 - 3 rw
Ring 11 R 4 + (join to p of previous ring) 4 + (join to next p of clover ring) 3 - 3 - 3.
Finish border to match. Join last chain to the center of the cloverleaf.
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