Fringe Classes

Well well, this could be a first, I finished all my class projects from Fringe.  Below are the the projects,

Simple Shell taught and designed  by Lauren Snyder.

Second up is a Tatted Coin Enclosure, design by B. Dillon, taught by Lauren Snyder.

Now some practice with cluny tatting.  Design and class taught my Mimi Dillman. 

Finally I did this heart using Treble Tatting, design and taught by Kaye B. Judt.

Thanks to the Fringe Element Tatters for another great workshop in 2019.

Little Cuny Snowflake

This Little Cluny Snowflake was the pattern provided at Shuttlebirds  21st Workshop for beginning cluny by Mimi Dillman.  She told us that the main thing was to practice your leaves to make them as evenly as possible.  I think she meant that each leaf/cluny should be of similar size and shape within the pattern. Don't worry Mimi, my little leaves don't compare with your's, I am still practicing. 

I altered this pattern to create a ring with the ends to use as a zipper pull or if I had made it a bit shorter I could put it on a hair pin to use in my hair.  I don't have bangs so I often wear tatting in my hair this way.

I used a free sample of Lizbeth thread  size 40 and I probably have enough thread to make another three flakes from the little spool.

The snowflake measures 4 cm across or 1.5 inches. It is a good size for a card and that is where this one will go.   

Cluny Zipper Pull

This Cluny Zipper Pull was one of the classes I took at the Shuttlebirds Workshop a few weeks ago.  I actually finished the project and brought it to breakfast on Sunday morning before we left, alas that was the last I saw if it.  I hope it has found a good home.  So I wanted to make another to use in an exchange. 

I didn't have a Cabone ring but searched my stash and found a plastic ring (I think this may have come off a bra strap) and used my nail file to remove rough edges. It was not the right size so I adjusted the pattern to fit.   

The pattern is by Mimi Dillman who gave me many pointers regarding making cluny leaves at the workshop. I do need a few more years of practice though but happy that I can wind my hand without thinking and my leaves always close although not as pretty as hers.  

I love using this vintage thread to make cluny leaves.  I don't know the name of it so if you recall please let me know. 

Second Attempt

My second attempt came out much better. I relaxed my wraps and closed slowly and not tightly which was twisting the clunies.  

 If you look closely you may even spot where I added a thread in the middle of a cluny.  I used a split ring to climb to the second row and magic threads to hide the ends. 

I do like this thread as it is very strong and smooth to work with. A vintage size 30 thread this finished coaster is 7 cm or 2.75 inches across.  Another row or size 20 would make this a perfect size for under a glass but for now it is off to cheer up a friend and fits nicely on the card below.

My first attempt can be found here and the pattern by Mimi Dillman here. 

Tatting Can Leave You In Stitches

The Fringe Element Tatters are having another exchange and we are to do something using a variety of stitches.  So I have made a few tallies.  First a piece for practice.

The pattern is by Mimi Dillman, Tatted Cluny Coaster Variation and is available for download here. There is also a link to a cluny instruction page, both shuttle and needle. You will make 32 tallies for this pattern.

I am using a gifted vintage thread, size 30, color unknown.  It was wrapped around an envelop so perhaps whatever was originally made was undone.  The thread is very smooth so perfect for cluny making. The color change helps me keep track of the threads and I can count the wraps easily.

I have found that as I go along in this pattern the tallies are getting a wee bit better.  I still have quite a bit of twisting but hope that blocking will save me.

I need to figure out how to put in a picot for joining between tallies. I found that the pop a bobbin provided adjustable tension and sat nicely behind my fingers and kept the center thread tight.  When I wrapped the thread around my little finger it was too slippery and didn't stay.   I also found that I don't need a lot of space for the loom if  I use a thin shuttle for wrapping.  With less space you can wrap faster and there is less of a chance to drop your shuttle.

I used a post-it note to mark my place in the pattern and just realized I could use one to assist in keeping the tallies more consistent. Well the final piece is below and I'm feeling more confident. I know the tallies are not near perfect but I was able to close them all without breaking thread and no cramping of my hand.  I just may make another.