Had a lovely afternoon with Gram today. She came all the way down to visit us girls and talk tatting! We had lunch at Applebees, thankfully both little ones were on their best behaviour. (that of course came to a screeching halt upon arriving home lol) While Gram was here I pulled out these doilies to illustrate the necessary skill of hiding ends. We are not 100% sure of the origin of these doilies, they are most likely from Checkoslovakia back in the 1940's. My Great grandfather was sent over there during WWII, and some of the people there sent gifts back after he came home, for a number of years as I understand it. Well, I spotted these in Gram's china cabinet and petitioned her for posession of them. She of course obliged, on condition of receiving a pair of tatted earrings. (speaking of which, I shall have to mail them now Gram, I forgot to pack them with you before we left for lunch! Serves you right for not coming back to the house to stay longer. :-) Anyway, the doilies are intriguing. Both are heavily starched, done in what seems to be a crochet cotton, maybe size 30 The larger of the two very well demonstrates the traditional method of tatting a motif, in which the ends are simply tied and cut and left to dangle. No wonder vintage patterns have so many rounds..... they didn't bother with the painstaking process of end-wrangling that the newer techniques provide. I count at least seven rounds for the smaller doily. I can't ever imagine voluntarily tatting a pattern without climbing out of at least a few of the rounds. Most of us nowadays with more evolved tatting sensibilities would either choose a different pattern or heavily modify it to minimize the number of ends that require assistance. In the larger piece, each of the outer motifs is tatted in two rounds and then attached separately. Can you imagine? :-)
To finish off my day today, I received some goodies in the mail. First, a flat screen monitor for my computer that I scored for $48 at auction, and another mystery box from Grandpa in NY- more books for Ivi and ANOTHER 40 copies of Workbasket! I think they have a large collection that is working its way to me a little at a time. I'm fine with that :-0
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7 comments:
This was a lovely post to read. I remember sitting having lunch with my Gram, who would come to see the babies and bring lunch, and we would talk and she would knit and I learned all kinds of things and just enjoyed being with her. I miss her. Reading about your day made her seem near. Thanks for that! Fox : )
Those are special doilies! I'm sure your Gram will love her earrings made by her darling granddaughter!
Enjoy your new workbaskets! How cooL!
~TattingChic ♥
what a fun day Krystle, and it sounds like you had fun at the lace day too.
me time is always important when you can get it.
take care of yourself, mom needs to be healthy, even if it seems to be selfish to do so (I know where of I speak - 7 kids, the first 2 were only 14 mos apart)
What inspiring pieces, particularly the bigger one.
(And 'Floribunda' would work so well for tatted earrings!)
I'm glad you, your girls and your Gram got to spend time together. These times are so precious. The doilies are beautiful. She was a dear to part with them. I completely agree about the "end wrangling." Some people don't mind it, but I try to avoid it when I can. Thanks for sharing about your Gram. Like Fox, it brought back memories of my dear grandmother and made her seem near.
Wow!! The doilies are exquisite!! How special that your Gram gave them to you and you know some history on the doilies. I particularly like the bottom one, very interesting design. Sounds like you had a wonderful time visiting with your Gram. Have a great day!
Very beautiful doilies|
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