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Step 1: Inspiration
This comes in many forms for me. I enjoy following other crafters on social media, so often my inspiration comes from seeing things that others have made. Then, I either make up my own pattern that is similar but has my own spin, or -more commonly- I purchase the pattern from the original source. (When this is the case, I will caption my posts and listings with credit to the creator.) When purchasing patterns I have to take a few things into account: is it geared towards my method of tatting, and what techniques do I need to know to make it?
Step 2: Tatting!
Before I began tatting, I had to choose my method: shuttle, or needle. I chose needle because I had done some knitting before and the technique seemed more similar. I watched some videos of people tatting with shuttles and it just seemed more complicated and uncomfortable as far as how the hands are positioned while working. So, all my items are made using one of my four tatting needles of various sizes.
Step 3: Pinning
Throughout the tatting process, the thread gets pulled tight so it stays uniform and holds the pattern. (It also looks nicer this way!) Sometimes it is still not quite in the shape it should be, though; so, I wet the piece with water, and then using a plastic grid, a flat-ish pillow, and sewing pins, I pin all the parts; pulling, shifting, and twisting so it when it dries, it ends up the way it was supposed to look. This includes pulling each picot (small thread loop) out and pinning it so it is visible and not tucked or folded under the rest of the piece. After it is completely dry, I pull the pins out and take the piece off the grid and the pillow and move it to a piece of parchment of wax paper.
Step 4: Stiffening
Many people use starch, but I found my product of choice at Hobby Lobby. "Aleene's StiffeQuik" spray holds my pieces nicely and I can easily do several coats until it reaches the desired stiffness level (e.g., bookmarks usually just get one light coat, but snowflakes get 2 or 3 solid coats so they hold their shape when being hung). I put down either wax or parchment paper underneath to prevent making a mess on any surfaces. I also usually leave the piece by a sunny window if I want it to dry a little faster.
Step 5: Ship/Give/Enjoy!
Last of all is to get the piece where it belongs! If it's for myself, I put it in my apartment in its new home. If it is for an order someone made, I then package it up and send it on its way! If it's for someone else but hasn't been ordered, I put it in a special place with like items until I know who it should go to.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual window into the TatsCute tatting process! If you have any further questions or would like more information, you can find me on social media (Instagram, Pinterest) or email me, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for reading!
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