In a message dated 26/05/2005 00:26:57 GMT Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> i appreciate this very much. i am sure i can make enough of them to start > a small project in tatting this way. > Hi Suzi, how are you <VBG> You only need one shuttle to start to tat! Eventually when you are doing fancy stuff you might want 2 or even 4. I don't think that before you can tat, and have used many different styles of shuttles that it would be easy to make a good one anyway, because you wouldn't have the *feel* for what you are trying to make. The size, shape and feel of each shuttle makes a great difference to how easy you find them to use and what one person loves will be nearly impossible for another to use at all. I don't know what price they are in the States but here they start at a little over 1GBP so $3 perhaps. Put that against the cost of materials, tools and your time trying to make one. One of the least expensive (GBP3) has a centre spool (where the thread goes) that pops in and out. It is very like a sewing machine bobbin. You can get extra ones of these and therefore use the same shuttle for more than one project without rewinding the thread. As for needle tatting, you don't need special tatting needles to do it, any long straight needle with an eye much the same size as the rest of the needle will work. Doll needles are good and can be much more easily and cheaply found in craft shops - I suspect they are the same needles in different packaging as it's unlikely any company would make needles just for tatting. But please be aware that although the finished result is very similar, needle tatting is a completely different technique to shuttle tatting. With shuttle tatting the knot is transferred from one thread to the other and it is the knack of doing this that some people have trouble with. In contrast, with needle tatting the 'knots' are placed onto the needle and then the thread in the needle's eye is pulled through them. The more advanced techniques (I believe I am right in saying this) can only be done with shuttle tatting. Jacquie in Lincolnshire, England - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
