Are you smiling at this book cover? I know I was grinning the moment I saw those charming small tatted bags in such bright and gay colors and happy patterns. This entire book by Yoko Hatakeyama is just plain fun to read and even better to tat.
The tatting experience needed is that which gives the overall effect of regular tension and picots. It includes the basic ring and chain and a few nifty beading elements added in. The actual patterns are traditional ones and easy to follow. The text is given in both Japanese and English. The diagrams are particularly large and clear, easy for beginners and intermediate tatters to follow.
But the fun comes out again with the lovely thread colors selected for each item. Little handbags, clutch purses, large tote bag and tatted floral necklaces are augmented with tatted shawls and household items such as table runners.
The illustration above shows the text style, diagram style and the construction method used in the patterns. And Yoko has added a bit of dimension to some of the elements. Note this leaf and bud which are tatted together in layers. The necklace diagram also on pg. 20 shows how the two layers will look. The three rings for "leaves" and pictured "inside" the flower petals. Very nicely done.
All the pieces have diagrams showing how they are combined to make one piece. For example, the tote bag pictured above which is on the cover may be tatted in one pass forming a block. Multiples of this block may be tatted and joined together also for the bag as well as table runners and shawls.
The small clutch bags use a metal clasp frame to which an inner lining of net or fabric may be added. The tatted fabric goes around the inner bag and is attached by sewing it to the metal frame. A complete photo tutorial for making the liner and adding the frame is included.
Great book!
Note: I received this book as a gift and happily placed it in my personal tatting reference library. - G. Seitz
Here's the latest article from the Tatting site at BellaOnline.com.
30 Tat. Designs 2" Beveled Glass - Carolyn Craig Carolyn Craigs "30 Tatted Designs for 2-inch Beveled Glass" book review.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art304709.asp
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Georgia Seitz, Tatting Editor http://tatting.bellaonline.com One of the hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com
