Deconstructing FS/BS (RODS) Tatting
Many of us are visual learners. And a picture is worth a 1000 words anyway !
This got me to thinking of a universal graphic that could deconstruct & represent Stitches/Techniques.
This simple right-angle symbol seems to be easy & perfect to showcase Many different stitches, including some advanced ones. It is still a work in progress. But here is the 1st 'unveiling' .... It is meant to understand & compare a normal double stitch (DS) with a Reverse Order DS (RODS) commonly called FS/BS tatting.
I am uploading a picture, but for better visual, it is also presented as a pdf file which can be downloaded here.
A ring and chain pattern usually calls for RW (Reverse Work). The element we start tatting with (let's say a ring), can be considered to be the front of the project. Now, when we RW (to make a chain, suppose), we go from the front to the back side of the project. If we continue with the normal DS, they will look like RODS when viewed from front. The pattern may next ask for RW again, to make 2nd ring. So, we've switched to the front again, and normal DS will appear complete. Thus, in 'traditional' tatting, in terms of stitches, there is no Distinct front or back .... some elements have complete ds, some seem to have incomplete DS, despite the fact that the Number or Count of stitches is a complete numeral according to pattern.
Left motif is the back of project, with RODS ;
right motif is as seen from the front .
Now, since DS viewed from Back looks like a RODS, and conversely, RODS is nothing but a normal DS when viewed from the other side, we started to use RODS when tatting from the back. Hence in the description above, the ring is tatted in DS, RW, chain is tatted in RODS, RW, ring again in DS, and so on.
What has happened ?
ALL the stitches, when viewed from the Front of project, look like complete DS. And ALL the stitches, when viewed from the Back of project, look like RODS !
Thus we have a project with a DISTINCT frontside & backside. Hence the name FS/BS tatting which employs DS & RODS.
There are many tutorials that explain & demonstrate it much better (I didn't have time to take pictures of actual tatting). This post is meant more for the symbolic representation of stitches.
Hope it helps, though.
Download Free pdf of Deconstructing FS/BS or RODS Tatting
I would truly appreciate any feedback, criticism, constructive suggestions for improvement. I do intend to add actual tatting pics in subsequent posts in this series.
Thanks & happy tatting :-)
Very clearly stated! Since you are so good with your explanations, how about writing a book and decoding some of the antique patterns out there using your beautiful pictures and explanations? I'll be first in line to buy one! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet of you Diane :-) I have been working on a couple of Endrucks’ patterns for Georgia … will start posting them soon, once my doily is completed.
DeleteGeorgia’s group has been doing such a great job of ‘modernizing’ & diagramming antique patterns !
But if you have any specific designer or pattern in mind, I’d love to give it a try – always ready for a challenge :-)
P.S. ~ Thank you for the chart! Mine is printing out right now!
ReplyDeleteSo Diane, you now have Page 1 of the Muskaan’s T*I*P*S book ;-D (make that pg 2 ... reason in consolidated comment at end)
DeleteThis is super clear. While I don't have difficulty with the concept, I know others who do and it will be a fantastic aid in explaining to them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle :-) That was the reason I tried to think of visual symbols. For some advanced &/or rarely used stitches, I get confused myself, or tend to forget. So this type of symbolic representation could become a ready reference.
DeleteHmmm... Dyslexia.....to me, usually a visual learner, the pictures look like the b/s shoukd be the f/s! I had to read this -pathetically, I know - three times to see what you are saying. And sadly, it is still confused in my noggin, though I know that you know that I know very well what fs/bs is!
ReplyDeleteAh, always a challenge,
Fox : ))
Ah, now you are messing with my neurons, dear Fox ;-P
DeleteNot everybody needs to learn in one way & who can beat you at FS/BS ?! Still smiling at your last line :-)
More in consolidated comment …
Awesome! You are contributing so much to our community. Thank you for being so generous with your time in creating these patterns and tutorials!
ReplyDeleteSarah, it such a pleasure to see you here ! Thank you so much for your lovely comment :-)
DeleteAh, I've still clear memories of times when I could see front and back of size 80 tatting, lol! I perfectly understand what are you saying, pretty clear to me. I leave one tail of thread after cut and sew, like you show, to have all long tail sewed on the same side. In thick thread, I like a lot the effect of fs/bs tatting, it's neat. Thank you for this explanation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ninetta :-) Yes, FS/BS & tails have practical value – no need for frequent recourse to magnifying glass ;-P
DeleteI think you did a good job of this, and maybe explain that this is why Jan Stawasz adds that half stitch here and there because he wants to see a complete DS . Although a super close up picture might be a better visual, I don't think most people can change the diagram in their minds back to thread. It is too much. I never leave ends they get tangled in my work and slow production down ha ha ha. I pin something to top of work. Now a days I pay more attention to the curve that the chains make. Hope this helps. take care have good week end :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great point, Carollyn ! I haven’t yet made any JS pattern, so I did not remember .... And your other observations are spot-on. Thank you so much for this constructive feedback ! When one has had the symbols in one’s head for a long time (I first jotted them down in July), one forgets the details. This symbol actually came from the actual thread ds, but I should’ve had the pictures up … This pic (& some explanation) was a last moment pick from my tablet . Very unsatisfactory !
DeleteHaste makes waste ! That is exactly what has happened here.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, some have understood, so it is not a complete waste.
My original working has 2 sets of symbols for each stitch –
1. this abstract angular one.
2. a loopy/curved symbol (more closely resembling a ‘real’ stitch).
But the loopy one was not too easy to draw on Inkscape. It would take time & skill, and since I wanted to post this for Cyn’s Beginner Class y’day, I simply went ahead.
All your comments have made me realize that I should go back & write an introductory post where the symbols can be explained & derived, with close-up pics of actual tatting/stitches done in thick thread. And I must include the loopy symbols alongside in all the future decons.
(((Hugs)))
I'm late to seeing this post, but wanted to say that your representation is very clear to me. I tried FS/BS tatting once, a few years ago. I found that it required too much re-training and thought, so I decided to stick with the traditional way of tatting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin :-) I'm quite happy you could understand the symbolic notation! Haven't had time to work on it further ... but soon hopefully.
DeleteI agree that switching between DS & RODS does take some thought .... but now, with practice, it is almost 2nd nature. I can also easily keep track of down joins when working with 2 colours.
One should always follow what works best for them & what one enjoys , right ;-)