This new tatting book is absolutely surprising! It has some really creative techniques and 3-dimensional tatting, too. Just check out the cover. Simple tatted rings and chains are formed into flower blossoms and corsages by careful stiffening and molding. The 3-d items include stars, hearts, squares and baubles.

I am mesmerized by the manner in which Emiko has stacked the tatting, and then joined it in a way that created the desired shape when "folded" into place. The last bit of shaping does require a little sewing. But the chains have me enthralled! There are over 20 types of tatted "chains." But not all of the "chains" are made with two threads! There is some very creative one shuttle work and all are beaded. Some of the shuttle thread visible behind the work but most versions have it covered with beads not bare. All these chains would lend themselves to jewelry designs so well.

This paper bound book has 64 pages in both color and black and white. 8.5" x 10" (22 x 26 cm.) All of the 108 (!) projects are shown in full color with suggestions for uses. There are many combinations possible to create necklaces, bracelets, hair ornaments, corsages and clothing decorations. There is even a tatted alphabet designed with beaded chains.

I am also intrigued by the use of the tatted grounds* in three of the corsages. One of them is featured on the cover. It has three red flowers. Behind them is a ground of tatted split rings with picots. In the other grounds, one cuts the picots afterwards and the other gives the appearance of mignonette tatting but with double rings with decorative picots. (This will be my first pattern to try out.)

The diagrams are in black and color and are very clear and it is easy to determine the double stitch count. Language is Japanese.


The tutorials for tatting methods are presented in step by step photo illustrations.



ISBN

*Lace is a hole surrounded by thread. The term ground refers to a lace fabric with lots of holes usually in a particular shape. The ground may serve as a way to join several different motifs together. Or, the ground may be a support for other lace pieces appliquéd onto it.

Note: I acquired this book for my personal tatting reference library. G.Seitz