Customer Reviews

Tatting Collage (Master Craftsmen)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had heard this book mentioned before and seen it in a catalog but didn't really know what it was about until I found it at the local library. Tatting Collage uses a combination of simple, small motifs to create scenes and other designs on paper, fabric or for other projects. Rather than tatting standing alone, it is used with other materials to make notecards, paperweights, bookmarks and more.

The book consists of nine chapters and a short list of books for further reading. The first chapter gives a brief but informative history of tatting which should be interesting to even a beginning tatter. "Chapter Two: Tools and Techniques", outlines the basic tools needed for tatting and gives hints for hiding ends and adjusting tension as well as for assembling a collage. There is also a section on using the book that explains patterns and abbreviations.

The rest of the book is devoted to the more than 60 designs used to make up the tatting collages. There are numerous patterns for small flowers such as daisies, foxglove and dandelions, as well as other plants like toadstools, vines, grapes and pine needles. A few animals (ducks, dragonflies, owls) are included, as are larger motifs such as trees, a heart and snowflakes. Most of the designs are very simple and could be made by a beginner.

Throughout the book the author has included photographs of finished collages with references to which motifs are included in the design. Readers are encouraged to create their own scenes by making original combinations of motifs. Instructions are included for making the bookmark and the paperweight, as well as larger cards for special occasions such as a birthday, wedding or Halloween.

This is a nice book if you enjoy tatting very small patterns to use on stationery or cards, if you're a beginner looking for designs to practice with, or if you like to tat "droodles" to use up those bits of thread left on your shuttle. This is not the book for you if you like larger projects such as doilies, substantial motifs and edgings.

The previous reviews tell what the book's content is, so I will not elaborate on that score. The great strength of this book is the way it takes tatting from a beautiful craft to a lovely art form. Other books do complex doilies, and complex doilies are all very nice, but most people don't want doilies as gifts! I tatted the mountain scene from this book with ecru size 80, mounted it on black velvet board and gave it (matted and framed) to my niece who is an interior decorator. She generally likes modern things BUT she absolutely loved the gift. The picture has a slightly Asian flavor.

The individual patterns are easy and quick, even beginners will enjoy it. Advanced tatters may be inspired by the new use of tatting. Most of the patterns can be done with either needle or shuttle. I highly recommend it and I wish there were more books like it.

Tatting Collage is a wonderful collection of quick projects. It is perfect for the person who enjoys the satisfaction of a completed project, yet only has small segments of time to tat. The uses the author makes of the tatted pieces are quite creative. This book is a good addition to anyone's tatting library.

Usually tatting books are full of patterns for doilies, but not so with this book. The instructions are easy to follow if you already have some knowledge of tatting. I highly recommend it.

What interesting ideas for tatting! I am intrigued with the creativity in this book! It arrived very quickly and is in wonderful condition. Now I can't wait to try some of these ideas and put together my own "landscapes." I may even be inspired to create my own patterns.

I really enjoyed the creative spin that this took. I felt so locked into doing the "edgings" or the "doilies." I love making the snail and the beautiful simple patterns that really makes it focus on the art that tatting is.

I really love the format on this book. It shows examples of various collages that you can tat & frame (or put on cards or a quilt, bodice, or piece of mixed needlework) and it also shows how to make individual elements making it easy to design your own pieces. I was able to take some of the elements and build on them myself. It really gives you room to grow on the art.

I've often thought that many of the needle arts, particularly the lace making types, have gone out of fashion simply because we have so little use for them any more. Furthermore, not many people appreciate the sophistication of technique and time that is required to produce them. Now comes Ms Rogers and her delightful little book and new hope arises. The author shares splendid ideas that even the most beginning of tatters can do, and she also shows where the needle arts are really headed these days. When you read a book like hers, you see that it isn't the art itself that's "tired" or "useles" but the way we use them. While the smaller tableau are clever and delightful, my favorites are her Bonsai Tree Collages and her cards for special occasions. You can't beat these. If you're looking for something refreshing to do with your tatted motives. This is the book.

This little volume will teach you how to make pictures suitable for cards and framed work. It contains some wonderful pictures of trees with tiny birds and animals and all sorts of small designs which can be used for cards and all sorts of things. I particularly like the snail with the chain curving round and round to form the shell!

Clear instructions are provided at the beginning on using and reading the patterns which are in both diagrammatical and text format. The designs are unusual and many are interesting minimalist forms.

The book is also a good introduction to freeform work and will provide some inspiration for that kind of lace without overpowering a relative beginner with complex techniques.