Tatting with Anne Orr (Dover Needlework) [Paperback]

Anne Orr (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Needlework | Publication Date: May 1, 1989

Rare patterns created during the 1920s, 30s and 40s by legendary needlework designer. Instructions for over 100 delicate designs: 50 edgings, 40 medallions, 3 collars and yokes, 7 doilies, 3 luncheon sets, and 4 baby items. Step-by-step directions, sharply detailed photographs allow even beginning tatters to create beautiful items.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048625982X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486259826
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reprint of early tatting patterns, August 6, 2005

By 

Gillian Buchanan "Classical Music Editor at B... (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tatting with Anne Orr (Dover Needlework) (Paperback)

This lovely book contains a delightful collection of tatting patterns from the 1920s through to the 1940s. Patterns include the wonderful doily shown on the front cover which is almost entirely worked in the mignonette or ring only style, some exquisite baby bonnets, and a range of edgings and motifs, medallions, coasters, and doilies which is too numerous to list in detail here.

The tatting is in the traditional style and few if any of the patterns make use of Ann Orr's invention the split ring (she calls it a reverse ring). However the split ring and other modern techniques could definitely be incorporated into the patterns shown here which would be easy to adapt accordingly.

Patterns as others have said are in written longhand and some of the instructions are quite old fashioned; for example in one of the christening bonnets the instruction is given for a ring of 9 long picots instead of the modern style of writing which would be 1 DS, 9 P separated by 1 DS, 1 DS, close ring. In many patterns in this book the word Turn is used instead of the more modern instruction to Reverse Work. There are no diagrams and although basic tatting instructions are included I would regard this as a book which the confident beginner would enjoy rather than for someone who has never tatted before.

However it's very good value for money and will provide lasting enjoyment on your tatting bookshelf. I recommend it unreservedly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book, August 17, 2005

By 

Atheen M. Wilson "Atheen" (Mpls, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tatting with Anne Orr (Dover Needlework) (Paperback)

This is a lovely book, and one I've used for a long time. I first ran into a copy in a library in Arizona while visiting my mother and brother. I copied some of the designs to try out and found them so satisfying that I ultimately purchased the book itself. It's one of my more treasured tatting books.

Some of the designs are overwhelming, not because of the technique involved so much as for the time involved. I have little disposable free time, and a project of any great magnitude is likely to take an eternity. Some of the designs are very useful for tatted snowflakes, which I've made by the score for Christmas cards and tree ornaments. These projects are brief, the equipment small enough to fit into a pocket or purse to be done in spare moments--I've discovered I've the patience of a saint waiting in doctor's and dentist's offices or in line for anything--and are appreciated by most of the people who receive them as gifts.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Old" patterns, January 2, 2003

By 

Nicole Landau (germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tatting with Anne Orr (Dover Needlework) (Paperback)

I like this pattern book a lot. It has lots of wonderful doilies and some "wearables" like baby caps and collars in it, lots and lots of motives and edgings,...
The only drawback is that all patterns are written in long hand notation, which is difficult to read sometimes, but I do re-write my patterns anyway so I can write into them and take them with me when I "travel" (e.g. when I move into another room after my 2 year old *lol*, or when I visit my parents and don't want stains/creases on/in the book).
There's really plenty of wonderful patterns in this book and it's definitely worth the few dollars. I have more expensive tatting books that have not even half the ammount of patterns in it and I have to say sometimes quantity is better than quality *lol* but in this book you get it all :-)
Just a quick note though: this book doesn't use the "modern techniques" like split rings, split chains, scmr's etc. but you could certainly eliminate a lot of "cut and ties" when you "rewrite the patterns for yourself. Also, some patterns don't state all too clearly when and how to turn/rotate your item and when to change shuttles (when you use two) but there's a picture for every pattern (black and white) so you can usually tell by the photo how the finished piece ought to look like and work out how to "rotate, etc" it.