Friday, October 30, 2009

Bobbin Shuttle Tatting Class - November 6 and 13

Discover Giles County Historical Society article from the Virginian Leader, October 21, 2009

Did your grandmother tat, but you never learned? Have you seen tatting kits in stores and been intrigued? Is tatting something you’ve heard of, but aren’t quite sure what it is? Now is your chance to learn the art of tatting!
The next offering in the Giles Arts Council and Giles County Historical Society Needle Arts Class series is Shuttle Tatting, taught by Bernie Cossell on November 6th and 13th from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Historical Society.

Like other crafts based around knotting, tatting began with fishermen’s knots: large shuttles were used to weave heavy rope into fishing nets 2,000 years ago. Other knots were used in the rigging of sails and to secure anchors. Later, the same ideas were translated to yarns then finer threads to create fine lace used to embellish the clothing of royalty. During the Victorian period and into the mid-20th century, tatting was used to edge linens and to make table covers and chair linens.

A tatting shuttle is used to make tiny knots around a central thread. Loops are connected to loops and picots in various ways to make a heavy lace that is often used as an edging or an overlay on fabric. Tatting shuttles today are often plastic, but in the past were made from wood, hand-carved ivory, or precious metals. The shuttle and thread are small enough that tatting can be done anywhere, making it a very portable craft.


Call or e-mail the Historical Society to register for the Shuttle Tatting Class and learn this decorative craft!

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