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 This book starts off with brief how-to-tat instructions and a few simple techniques, all explained clearly. Then there are patterns: 9 motifs, 14 edgings (with corners!) doilies made with motifs + in rounds, insertions (great bookmark potential) 2 elaborate collars, bridal patterns, a basket, and several more patterns; 52 in all. Every pattern is clearly diagrammed and photographed in black+white. I would not hesitate to reccomend this book to others, the patterns are lovely and range from beginner to advanced--something for everyone.  I admit it--this author is one of my favorite designers, and I think this is a great book. A few of the patterns don't appeal to me at all, but too bad for me, right? This book is a collection of small patterns and motifs, with squares, hearts, butterflies, little animals (the BEST mouse!) flowers, a swan, lock + key, teapot and cup, gorgeous hummingbird, 2 fans, +more. Whew! She can pack a lot of tatting into a little book. The patterns are written out in shorthand (the complex swan is diagrammed) and each is shown in what appears to be a clear black+white photocopy of the piece. While this is not a beginner book (a few patterns use split rings and cluny petals) some of the patterns are pretty basic. I believe 'confident beginners' and up are who I would reccomend it to. |
 This book has basic how-to instructions, also sewing instructions for the 4 pincushions and needlecase you can tat accents for. Patterns include: 9 edgings, a tree top ornament, 22 motifs, 10 Christmas balls, tiny flowers for stationary, and a picture frame. To be honest, I don't really like this book. It has a few great patterns, and some nice features (the patterns are rated for difficulty, and written in shorthand [R 5+2-2- etc.]) but I just don't see myself making more that a few of these designs.  Well, the title really says it all, doesn't it? This book has patterns for 40 snowflakes (but think 'motifs'! You could join together a bunch of these puppies and have a tablecloth). The designs range from tiny 1" single-round flakes made in size 80 thread to 3-D ones made by joining motifs together. The author really explored design possibilities here, this book is not boring! The "Swirl Snowflake" has a great spiral pattern to it, other patterns use beads, ribbons or glitter to add interest. All of the patterns are shown with a black+white photograph of the finished piece, which doesn't do justice to the beads and glitter, but at least shows you what you're doing. Since this book was published by Dover, the instructions are in longhand (3 ds sep by 4 p, etc.) but for small patterns like these its worth translating. This book also includes blocking diagrams, so your finished snowflake will be symmetrical. This is a great book for tatters at all levels of experience. 
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This site last updated November 8th, 2000 |
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ith this site, I hope to provide useful reviews of in-print tatting books. All of the books that are reviewed here are ones that I own, and since I haven't met the authors, I'm hoping to be pretty unbiased in my opinions :). I do love tatting, and I predict that most of the reviews will be positive--but my main goal is to help other lacemakers choose books that they will use and enjoy.
