Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Tatting: Everything You Wanted to Know but Couldn't Find Out About Shuttle Lace

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4 star:		(1)
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I purchased this book upon the recommendation of my tatting mentor. Like my mentor, I agree that all tatters should own this book. It is a substantive work, addressing the many techniques of shuttle and needle tatting--both basic and advanced. There are a number of patterns which provide excellent practice for beginners and food for thought for budding designers and advanced tatters. I frequently return to this book as a reference for tatting technique and for patterns to tat quick projects or gifts. Rebecca Jones' Complete Book of Tatting should be required reading for every tatter!

This lovely book is an excellent buy for the beginner learning to make tatted lace as well as for the more experienced tatter wanting a good collection of small patterns. Ms Jones starts off with descriptions of six different methods of tatting, with the hope that if you don't understand one method you'll understand one of the others. Details are given of a range of different techniques including lock stitch, roll tatting, cluny tatting and others, however there are no instructions for split rings or self closing mock rings as these had not yet been popularised at the time the book was written in the 1980s.

There is a huge collection of patterns including tatted cross bookmarks, Christmas designs, tatted notepaper and an alphabet. Most of them are small pieces for beginners to enjoy, but the more experienced tatter will also enjoy this selection. One or two of the photographs don't quite match the diagrammatical instructions, but for the most part they are accurate.

Regarding the diagrams, they are hand drawn and clearly presented and apart from one of the crosses I worked quite a number of the pieces in the book myself, and had no problems.

Most people will enjoy this excellent collection of patterns and instructions and the book will remain a treasure on your bookshelf for many years to come.

When I first learned to tat this was the only book I referred to time and time again---two years later, I'm still going back to The Complete Book of Tatting to brush up on mock picots, cluny tatting and attaching edgings to hankies. Rebecca Jones gives *six* methods of tatting, including needle and reverse Riego, and also includes instructions for more advanced things such as Josephine knots and node tatting. The patterns aren't big or complicated, but there are plenty of smaller droodles and bookmarks perfect for novice tatters. A must-have for any tatter's library.

If you get only one tatting book, this is the one to have! Great for beginners and experienced tatters. Well-written, easy to follow instructions and great drawings. I learned more from this book than from all the other books I have combined.

The book even experieced tatters return to. Five ways to learn to tat, including needle tatting. Almost as good as having Mrs Jones looking over your shoulder. Excellent diagrams. The only thing missing are instructions on split rings and split chains. Methods that were developed after the book had been written. You will hardly miss them,the book is so packed full of hints and clever ideas. You will only be sorry if you DON'T buy this wonderful book. The only book I recommand my student tatters purchase.

You like to work with thread but your crochet keeps unraveling, bobbin lace is too expensive to start, and your needlework looks like the cat attacked it. Everything you try turns into a snarl of knots. Put those knots to good use! Tatting is inexpensive, sturdier than crochet or knitting, versatile, and above all, beautiful. Best of all, it is easy to learn. . . if you have the right teacher. Rebecca Jones presents not one but FIVE different methods for tatting. Her instructions are accompanied by clear and accurate pictures. Once you learn how to make the basic "stitch" of tatting, Ms. Jones shows you how to move beyond the basics into some advanced techniques. Throughout the book, you are guided by the warm and friendly tone of a tatter who loves her craft. I tatted for ten years before I found this book. My lace improved more in a few months than it had during the previous decade! My only regret is that Ms. Jones doesn't deal with even more advanced topics (such as split-ring tatting). Despite this lack, Jones' book is the best on the market for beginning and intermediate tatters. I still refer to my copy frequently and recommend it to all novice tatters.

I learned to tat with a needle before reading this book and wish I had read it beforehand. The choice of tatting methods enabled me to learn to perfect my needle tatting skills and learn shuttle tatting skills quickly and easily with minimal help from a friend. (By minimal I mean 2 minutes. Really!!) The many forms of tatting ( motifs, edgings, doodles,jewelry, etc...) with the many examples of each form leave the imagination soaring for the designer in all of us.The detailed instructon on finishing techniques is invaluable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in tatting!!!!

This is an excellent book for the novice or experienced tatter. The book offers excellent directions and diagrams for projects in the book as well as information for the tatter to begin designing and completing their own patterns.

This is a very complete and knowledgeable book. Well written with excellent tips and pictures

My son got me this book for mother's day. I love it. It shows six ways of basic tatting and just about any tatting design that can be made. Using this book can help you think how to use the elements to make up your own designs and it will clear up any tatting mysteries that have been bugging you. Highly recommended.