Customer Reviews

Tatting Patterns (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)

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This book is one of those in the wonderful Dover Needleart Series, a group of paperback books that are inexpensive and chock full of patterns. Tatting Patterns is a republication of The Priscilla Tatting Book No. 2, A Collection of Beautiful and Useful Patterns with Directions for Working (1915).

Tatting Patterns packs 116 patterns into 48 pages. Many of the designs are old-fashioned, as is evidenced by some of their titles ("Edging for Hatband," "Silk Dress Trimming," and "Hatpin Cover", to name a few). There are more than 30 edgings and insertions, along with a hanky border, a collar and a table scarf. Also included are patterns for a very lacy-looking alphabet, which I found especially attractive when compared to other alphabets that tended to be made mostly of chains. There are featured five doilies, some made completely of tatting, others combined with linen.

There are some unique, creative designs in the book, such as a bonbon basket (cute for weddings or Easter), a change purse, and a jabot with Battenburg rings. Tatters who enjoy making accessories will enjoy the patterns for a belt buckle, two beaded necklaces and a frog to be used on a coat. Those who like the challenge of a larger project can tackle the very elaborate tea cloth, which is composed of more than 460 motifs!

One problem with this book is that in most instances the photograph of the completed project isn't on the same page as the pattern, which means flipping through the book to find it or photocopying the photo to keep I handy. I also found some of the directions unclear----an advanced tatter could probably work her way through, but a beginner may need some help. But there are many patterns for projects ranging from simple to intricate, which make this book a good bang for your tatting dollar.

For someone who learned tatting from a Coats and Clark Book, this book was daunting, but I refer to it again and again. I have never actually made anything for which the instructions were given in the book, but when I want a certain motif, this is where I look. Ms. Sanders tends to think that we know what we are doing, but for beginnners, it makes us better at it.

For a brand-new, self-taught needle tatter such as I, this book has been great. Many of the motifs and insertions are very elegant when finished (the photos by no means do them justice), and beginners through experienced tatters can derive a great deal of satisfaction from using these patterns.

This lovely book is a reprint of the Priscilla Tatting Book 2 published in 1915. There are dozens of patterns all photographed in black and white. Most of the photographs are clear and it will be possible to reproduce the illustrated items quite easily provided you make a careful study of the instructions. The pictures are not always well arranged in relation to the text so you might want to photocopy the picture and text and paste them together if you are working a pattern in the book where the illustration and text have been separated.

Dover have not made any attempt to edit or correct the patterns which are reproduced in their original longhand format with no diagrams whatsoever. The usual basic instructions on how to tat are included but if you're a beginner wanting to learn how you would do better to buy this book for a good selection of patterns, and add a good techniques book such as The Complete Book of Tatting by Rebecca Jones.

The designs are pretty and some are very imaginative including some wonderful bags, elaborate beaded necklaces and flowers and large centrepieces and cloths. Most tatters will enjoy this book and it will remain an important part of any library of tatting books.

I cannot recommend this too highly as a reprint of one of the most important volumes of tatting patterns produced during the 20th century.

Todos los diseños son maravillosos. La calidad del papel es regular. Se verían mejor en papel satinado. Dibujos poco nitidos.
Es para personas con manejo avanzado; no tiene explicaciones claras (dictado por mi madre).