Monday, November 28, 2011

Years ago when I first started tatting, I found this tatted bow in Old-Time Crochet (Summer, 1994) in an article by Rebecca Hollenbaugh. I thought it was her pattern but as I read the article today, I found the pattern was originally in Better Living, April 1952. No author was credited.

I've always wanted to tat this bow but it looks a bit complicated and if I'm going to go to all that trouble, I better have a good use for it. Normally, I don't feel like I need to justify my tatting, but this one seems to call for it.

So....ideas anyone? Rebecca suggests attaching it to a hair comb but I don't have the kind of hair that will hold a comb or barrette. It's fairly large, 5" x 4" in size 30 thread. I really really need some inspiration!

25 comments:

  1. I would say decorate a hat with it, but I'm not sure that's really your style. (Definitely not mine.) How about a Christmas tree topper, since it's that time of year?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Goodness, that's gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. First of all, I was hugely relieved to find out that you didn't tat this, although I wouldn't put it past you, even though you're still working on organizing the house! It sure caught my attention, though! Amazing!! It's a little hard to tell exactly how it's made. But however it's shaped, it's a LOT of tatting!

    Second, I was delighted to see Rebecca Hollenlbaugh's name, as my own tatting history begins with her (in 1989) - but I didn't realize it for several years. Rebecca lives here in Western PA. One of these days I'll write my story! I'm now getting ready for Vicary Mansion and Old Economy coming up these next two weekends.

    ReplyDelete
  4. pretty bow,
    hmmmm, front of a pillow... decorate a wall hanging..... Miranda's suggestion...
    if you use a smaller thread then the bow will not be so big,

    hey, how about red thread, and use it on a green wreath?

    ReplyDelete
  5. What if you did it in red and then attached it to a Christmas wreath. Got any sparkly thread?

    ReplyDelete
  6. That would be quite a project! I'd probably use it as a seasonal decoration -- on a swag at Christmas, on a basket at Easter. That way I could see it often enough to make it worthwhile to tat, but infrequently enough for it to still be something special.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1:51 AM

    OH wow!!! I made that bow when I first started tatting. It's a really easy one. Just a little fiddly to but together. I suck my to a barrette.(don't remember after all this years) I really like the Christmas tree topper.
    Also make my in size 80.
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  8. You can make it from thinner thread, with a black or some other colored lining, and use as a brooch, or a bracelet, or put it on your shoes. It is very pretty and elegant.
    It would be quite nice to make it from black thread and put red or gold ribbon in it as lining. ????

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow what a lot of work! If I ever made something like that I think I would attach it to an heirloom cushion and place it in pride of place on my bed. Not that anyone would see it there :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was reading the construction of it last night and it appears to be one long piece which is then folded into the bow shape, tacked, and the smaller tie then added over the center, so it's not complicated - just a lot of tatting.

    I did think about a smaller thread and was toying with the idea of using for Christmas trim on special ornaments, like pillows, wreath and tree too. I don't think I'm going to make more than one though. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What?! You're not going to make more than one? My suggestion was going to be pew bows for a wedding... darn!

    Since you're not going to make more than one, I'd go for a wreath. : )

    ReplyDelete
  12. My first thought (because it looked big) was a Christmas tree topper. Then add a long tatted ribbon to wrap around the tree. (Sorry, more work.) Years ago, before learning to tat, I would have said too much work. But now I have a tree that has my Great Grandmother's handmade ornaments on it and a matching tree skirt. (The kids have their own tree they can touch.) Something like this would be a perfect finisher.

    Can't wait to see what you do with it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely! I like the idea of ratting it for a Christmas decoration. What about making it in either red or green then tatting two ribbons of the opposite color to hang down from it. Would look nice as a decoration on your front door and then you could get away with making it out of as big a size thread as you want.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so going with the tree topper thing...or maybe on a pillow

    ReplyDelete
  15. As commented above, I agree - some kind of embellishment to a holiday ornament, wreath, tree. I have pets, so a pillow wouldn't work here!

    It would be interesting to add to a tote, or a cover for lace pillow (which would be a big bag). If you have a vanity, or mirror, it would be fun to attach - a 'girlie' enhancement.

    I'd probably use it on a bulletin board or attach to a picture on the wall - it is so pretty, I'd just like to look at it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. With two teenage daughters (well, one is in her teens for a couple more weeks) I know what would happen if I ever tatted it. They'd run a ribbon through it and use it as a choker around their necks - at least the older one would love it for that. The younger one would probably put it in a headband and wear it . . . I think it's lovely and I'd love to tat it but it is probably so far beyond my skill set that it will never happen.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What about a curtain tie back? You would then need a pair won't you? A bow to place on a bride's gown?

    ReplyDelete
  18. how about a fabulous fastening decoration on a sumptuous bedroom pillow.....

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just realized I didn't make a suggestion for the bow! Certainly in white it lends itself to bridal ideas. I'm thinking the ring-bearer's pillow, or the photo album (although 'fancy' album covers may be out of style now!) Or possibly tied around the bridal bouquet, or as a table decoration. I can also see it on the back of a flower girl's dress! Many possibilities!

    ReplyDelete
  20. How about center piece for a table runner?! ! It would look smashing as a shadow box with glass over it to keep dust out. Very pretty and too ambitious for me!

    ReplyDelete
  21. OK i would love to have that pattern my mom wears bows in her hair all the time and that would be so great! Can you point me in the direction of were i can find that book?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ginny, It's Summer, 1994 of Old Time Crochet.

    ReplyDelete
  23. As a fascinator - with ribbon and beads and other stuff... feathers...

    Good luck with it - I would not touch this pattern in a million years! One baby bonnet taught me my lesson!

    Love the new do!
    Fox : )

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow! This is gorgeous! Lots of great ideas have been given. I think it would be the perfect touch as a topper for a special gift parcel, whether white for a bride, pink for a special little girl, gold or silver for Christmas........and you know, it'd be wonderful on a CQ!

    ReplyDelete

Emails and comments both are welcome and always read.