… it’s all a matter of perspective
Who knows when the beginning is and where the end. Who can be
certain that the end is not the beginning. Who’s to say which is which. It’s
all about perspective ! Like stairs going up or coming down ; glass half-full
or half-empty ; or that a glass is never ever empty coz there’s always air in it?!
Next, in my bloglovin’ feed, I was
captivated by an image of love & affection and hopped over to read more. It was my first ever visit
to this blog and boy, was I glad. A perceptive writing and mantra to view the
world & live by.
This page has multiple updates since first posted.
Now to tatting and perspectives ....
an annotated
compilation of resource links
for hiding ends in tatting
Are we starting or ending ?!
Many of us use the knotless method to start tatting –
tatting over the tails either in the same element or in 2 different elements. Long
before I encountered the vibrant tatting community online, I had figured out a
way to start knotless. It is
Method 2 diagrammed by Jane here. It works beautifully & is safe despite any amount
of handling.
Conceptually the same method is recently
demonstrated by Karen here. First-timers may find this easier to handle because the chain
thread is inserted later.
Ending just like we started
The very same concept can be applied when finishing off the
round or piece, hiding the end tails without a knot. In
response to Tim’s query, I had prepared a diagrammatic image &
shared on Craftree, resulting in wholesome
discussion. Those diagrams were done in haste, within minutes of reading the
question. With time to review them, directional corrections have been made based
on my
TWoT diagrams.
 |
| A Knotless Method of Hiding the End Tails. |
I do sometimes use an overhand tie before sewing under .
Tatters might find it familiar. I’ve merely presented it as
diagrams.
But it doesn’t end !
Oh no, there are numerous methods of hiding ends, some may
even be spot treatments under specific circumstances. More the merrier – we all
learn and absorb differently!
Choice of a method can be based on the thread size used, the
thread quality/characteristics, individual tatting tension, individual comfort
& skill, availability of resources, pattern specifications, and so on. Some
resource links have been annotated in
Hiding Ends here. More links are listed below, in no particular order (numbering
is merely to keep track.)
HIDING END TAILS (and old thread)
I . Some
Basics of Hiding Ends/Tails
Georgia’s
articles are a must read for an overall perspective :
A Craftree discussion among varied tatters & tatting techniques
on
Hiding ends with good advice & tips.
II. Finishing
with Single Shuttle Split Ring (SSSR)
A. When last ring is a free
ring
If the last element of a pattern is a ring, one can apply single
shuttle split ring method
For quite a while I used Miranda’s
finishing with SSSR. She highly recommends it for tatted jewelry.
B. When last ring is attached
Now what if the last ring was also attached? To answer the question,
let’s consider :
What is the basic necessity of a SSSR? A SSSR requires something to anchor &
secure the loop which is used for working the latter half of the ring. In case
of unattached ring, it is the base of ring; this can be substituted with a thread
or tail, that can come from different ‘sources’, and the method ‘tweaked’
accordingly. The tail could be from the first ring, or from a previous chain. Simple.
C. For rings-only, bare thread (BTS)
or single shuttle patterns
I haven’t come across any tutorial for this scenario.
Nevertheless, one can use it with a bit of preplanning – do not tat over the
tail in first ring. (if one forgets, see III below)
Tweak #1 :
In case of classic wheel (or
the square motif pictured above) with BTS, leave a tail on the first ring. This is inserted into
the last SSSR loop, before closing. Remember to leave the required BTS length
while pulling it thru the SSSR.
Tweak #2 :
If one is fearful of unraveling, leave BTS with first tail, tie
a tight knot between the 2 threads and then begin the SSSR.
Overall Thoughts on the SSSR method of finishing :
Advantages :
saves on sewing to hide ends ; no extra tools or preplanning required ; can be
used in single shuttle, rings-only, and bare thread patterns as well
Limitations : if
not pulled properly, the ring might distort ; ring should be large enough to
hide ends – a minimum of 6 to 8 double stitches of loop tatting is ideal.
TIP : There is one tip I can offer when tatting an
SSSR. Always begin the loop tatting from 2nd half stitch (ie. in the
middle of a double stitch). The loop seems to be slide more easily &
smoothly when closing. Additionally, the end remains at the back of the work.
III. Hiding
Ends in Bare Thread Patterns
This can pose a bit of a challenge as we do not want a double-up bare thread.
Heather’s tatting pics make it very clear how to add new
thread to a rings-only bare thread pattern, while hiding the earlier end tail,
by
tatting over tail.
Besides, the SSSR method can be used, as discussed in II.C. above, if
pre-planned.
What if we forget to leave the tail on first ring ? Tat the
last ring normally. Leave BTS and using a needle, pass this tail through base
of first ring, and sew the tail in the ring stitches.
I have used variants of the SSSR method for a couple of
years until whip stitching end tails took over since May of this year. I have totally
stopped dreading sewing in tail ends and this method is easier on my eyes!
Here’s a compilation of resources ….
IV. Different
Ways of Sewing in Thread Ends
A. Whip Stitch
I have found this method very simple, quick, does not add
bulk or distort, and can be used to hide tails in 2-colour or variegated thread
projects – once the whipped tail is tensioned, the colour blips disappear (can you spot the sewn-in tails in the Square Motif above ?
B. Sewing under Caps
V. Tatting
Over Tails
As the term suggests, one can hide tail ends by tatting over
them. They are encapsulated within the stitches. It is used when starting the
very first element of a project or row/round, or when the shuttle/ball runs out
of thread midways and we need to add new thread, or we need to correct a
mistake.
Gina Butler adding new thread using CTM shuttles, and
taping both old tails(long) to shuttle and tatting over both tails (thus 3 core threads!). Reduces
number of tails to hide, but preplanning required, as well as long tails, and it has the propensity to add bulk.
I love to tat over tails. The first 2 starting tails are
immediately taken care of – knotless, and no sewing ! It can be used to start absolutely any element - ring, chain, SR, SCMR, Cluny, ...(see V bleow). I hide the tails in different/opposite elements.
After tatting over tails, I prefer to leave short bits at
the beginning of work (as seen in the pdf diagrams & my WIP pics in many
posts). It helps me keep track of the front & back side, and also ensures
that no accidental unraveling occurs.
Once the work is completed and all tails hidden, I tug at
the short bits, just in case, and only then clip them flush.
UPDATE (Nov 16, 2016) : Eliz’s 2nd comment (and excellent tip) reminded me
of what I always do to keep the tail at back of work......
TIP : How to keep the tatted-over tail end at the back of
work :
If one is tatting from the front side (DS), stop
encapsulating the tail after a 1st half stitch.
If one is tatting from the back side (RODS), stop
encapsulating the tail after a 2nd half stitch.
The reason will be clear if one observes the construction of
each half stitch and where the core thread emerges. In 1st half
stitch, the core thread emerges towards the back; in 2nd half
stitch, it emerges towards the front.
While tatting over a tail, since the tail is parallel to the
core thread, the above rule applies.
UPDATE (Aug 2017) : The above tip in pictorial pdf -
Tatting over Tails - the Middle Path.
VI. Hiding
Ends in Other Elements
A. Finishing on a Chain
Do you see the similarity with the SSSR method ? Yes, finger
tat with a loop on a chain instead of a ring.
For those who find finger tatting difficult, insert the loop
into a shuttle & tat ‘normally’.
Read more about
my trials here -
a few methods to hide tails when ending with a chain.
B.
Hiding in Split Ring
C. Hiding in Cluny Tatting
VII. Magic
Thread Trick (MTT)
This is another group of knotless ways to hide all tail ends
– whether at beginning or at the end, without any need for sewing. It involves a
bit of preplanning and additional material to make loops. The loops should be
strong and as thin as possible to avoid loose stitches (or tat tightly), and
unobtrusive.
A few links that show up some little differences, allowing
us to choose what suits us best.
Magic Thread/Loop by Dawne Marie - Comments at end of the post are equally enlightening.
My short stint with MTT resulted in mixed results.
Preplanning can become a habit. However, getting the right material sometimes
becomes a problem. The loop (I used threads & dental floss) sometimes broke
when pulling. The tug required enormous wrist strength. The loop can get in the
way, if one is not used to them. If ending on a chain, there can be a risk of
distortion if not pulled smoothly.
With so many other alternatives, I did not go back to this
method. Many tatters swear by this method.
And then there’s the start !
One can’t have an ending without a beginning now, can one ?!
Unless one begins with a continuous thread between 2 shuttles or shuttle &
ball (CTM), one has to deal with ends at the start ! Annotating a few resources
below.
ADDING NEW THREAD
See also Tatting Over Tails ,
Magic Thread Trick and Hiding in Split Ring above
For single
shuttle rings-only pattern :
I have already listed Heather’s
method
A similar video by squash8424 -
Adding new thread to old thread. It is a good method if adding same colour thread or if tail length is
very short. Conceptually the same as Mark's method, except for the 1hs
made with old tail to secure.
In both methods, I am a bit wary of hiding both tail ends on
same side; along with the core thread, it makes 3 threads under a stitch, and
can add to bulk & stiffness. Nevertheless, extreme situations may warranty
such steps.
UPDATE :
Adding thread with Lark's Head Knot video by Marilee. I used this very successfully here (& forgot - good thing blogging brings back memories)
Adding new
thread in needle tatting
Adding new
thread on a chain
What is the ball or shuttle 2 thread needs to be added? Or
it is chains-only pattern and one needs to add new thread? Or there is a mishap
and spot treatment is required on a chain?
The long and short of the tail, oops tale, it is that there
is no one single method that is the best. It is up to the tatter to find
her/his comfort method or situational method from this wide range of new and
tweaked methods. One can use combinations or parts of two methods to take care of tails, as some of the links above show. One can also use the same method to start a new project/row/round, to add new thread, and to hide old thread.
Do you have one single go-to method to hide tails ?
Care to share more tips ?
Looking forward to your experienced inputs :-)
happy tatting with a :-)
ps - I will update my Resources page with a link to this post, instead of listing each & every one individually.
