Should I just let this one go or throw good thread after bad in an effort to salvage this misfit motif?
It is SUPPOSED to be Celtic Flower from Celtic Tatting Knots & Patterns by Rozella Linden using Lizbeth #20 thread. I like the pattern VERY much and was excited about making it with some new thread. Unfortunately after careful thought and planning, I went and mixed up the threads I was using and ended up with too much solid green and not enough variegated thread showing. The spoke motif (solid green) which is woven into the flower motif (variegated) was a little twisty, so I didn't snug the stitches up as much as I should have which resulted in the spokes being too long, and one ring into the final round I can tell they will not lay flat with any amount of coaxing.
What to do, what to do... I'm thinking I will get the motif a room in Tat Limboland where it can reside until I feel like snipping off the final round and retatting the spoke motif in another color yet to be purchased (because I NEED more thread - really, really I do). And I SUPPOSE I believe in second chances... especially when you bring thread into the picture...
Hello, Ann!
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks interesting!
The pattern is great and you have worked hard on this.
If it were me, I would count it as my first try - a practice run, so to speak - and then start again!
I tend to become very frustrated and not as careful as I could be, if I can see mistakes I cannot fix and I keep going anyway. I find this dispiriting!
So, what ARE you going to do? Either way, you cannot lose, as you are learning Celtic tatting! That's how I see it!
Fox : )
Hi Fox!
ReplyDeleteI think you are right and that I should just call it a practice run. I may have liked it better if the variegated thread had been from one color family. There isn't enough contrast between the two threads to show the pattern so it looks clumpy.
I have admired Celtic tatting for some time so yes, although things don't always come off as I would like, I am learning (even if it's what NOT to do) and that is what counts in the end.
Thanks for your honest opinion!
:) Ann
If it were me, I'd cut it off and start again. After all, you'll need to buy more thread to replace that which was wasted right? Wink wink!
ReplyDeleteKrystle, you make a very, very, VERY valid point! I hadn't even taken into account how EXTREMELY low on thread I must be... and doesn't it possibly behoove me to consider more than one color to replace the green since the other thread is variegated? It is definitely worth looking into...
ReplyDelete:) Ann
I realize I don't know much about tatting, but I think it's pretty. If it won't lay flat, and you don't want to take it apart -- I would starch that puppy and shape it into a 3-dimensional flower. I think it would be lovely on a headband or pinned to a jacket or a bag.
ReplyDeleteHi Martha!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I like your headband suggestion! It would make a CUTE accent. I can't proceed with it as is because the lumpy part is on the back.
I think I am going to put it aside for now, mainly because I have another project I am pretty excited about - it will actually involve tatting AND the SEWING MACHINE! But I believe I will give this little flower another try with a new secondary color.
:) Ann
Why don't you do a final round of rings and chains and join onto BOTH the centre picot of the ring and the picot on the chain. This will make the interwoven piece 'stand up' slightly like a flower and would probably 'resolve' your bad feelings about it. Don't throw it away - it's SO PRETTY.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane!
ReplyDeleteThank you VERY much! No, I won't throw it away - it's kind of been growing on me. I like the idea of making it dimensional and I'll play around with it. It may be good for me to try to make it work in a different way because I CLING to patterns... and I would like to become more adventuresome!
:) Ann
It looks kinda cool! I like it. That's a way cool photo on that book cover, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tatting Chic!
ReplyDeleteYou know how it is though, when something doesn't turn out the way you pictured in your head... I'm getting used to it now and I sure appreciate everyone's comments and encouragement. I'm going to give it another go.
:) Ann