Last week I received a small box of tatting cotton I had bid on on Ebay. The box is the original box, with 9 balls of tatting cotton, which are all variegated colors. I am in heaven with new thread to use. Since the thread is probably from the 40's or 50's I thought it only appropriate to use old patterns to make something. So, I pulled out one of my favorite books, The Tatter's Treasure Chest. This books is a compilation of over 100 tatting designs from the 1920's, 30's, 40's and 50's. Most of the having been out of print for many years.
There is so much to choose from, that I haven't decided yet what I am going to use the thread for. Actually, the first thing I do want to make is a bookmark for the woman I purchased the thread from. The thread was from her grandmother's supply of threads. In fact, she not only sent the box, and 9 balls of thread I bid on, she sent me 6 extra balls of thread which was also in her grandmother's supply. I thought it would be nice as a thank you to send her a bookmark made with her grandmother's thread. So, I began to look at all the different edgings. But then I saw the different patterns for handkerchiefs, or maybe a set of coasters, or pillow cases, or a doily. This book has everything you can think of. The patterns for collars are exquisite. There are doilies, dresser scarves, baby bonnets. This book is a definite must in my mind for any tatter, beginner or advanced. As I needletat I often worry about having to convert patterns, but I have had no problem using these patterns with needles.
The book is 8 ½ x 11 inches, 96 pages, with all the pictures in black and white. The publisher is Dover. The cost is $5.95, which is I feel is quite a bargain. I picked my copy up at Borders, but I am sure you can probably get it on line at any of the bookstores available.
Well, I'm off again to bury myself in this book, and to find an edging to convert to a bookmark. I'm beginning to really like #8867 which is described as an edging for a crisp collar. Maybe my blouses are a bit drab and need some perking up.
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