lace to fabric QnA

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For several years, tatters have been emailing for some help or other on their current tatting project, term, technique, pattern, etc. It is usually an eye-opener for me, when I have to delve deeper into a method, or come up with a solution. Some of these have been posted as tutorials/pictorials already, several are in the works with pics taken, but not yet presented.

I put in a lot of thought, research, and detail into my response, and have decided to share some Q&A for anybody facing a similar situation. In any case, it makes my life easier when I have a simple link to share instead of re-typing. I may edit/paraphrase/add/organise.

Here’s one such, from one of my dear followers, Emily H, who often comments with a unique perspective. I was pleasantly surprised, and grateful, when she gave me her feedback, along with pics of her final project. Read on ....

  

Question : I want to edge a handkerchief for a friend, but I want it to be usable and washable. I know cotton shrinks, so what would be the best prep for that? I had the thought to tat my lace and then wash it so it would shrink and then cut the handkerchief to the size it ends up.  Attaching together after everything is preshrunk. I am thinking like a seamstress though and don't know how these same principles apply to cotton thread. 

Answer :

Sharon Briggs has some sound advice – scroll down to Washing. Personally, I am a bit scared of her boiling water part.  

Suggestions based on my experience - 

1. Thread size and brand. 

Anchor size 20 definitely shrinks. Not sure about Lizbeth 20, though MIL says her Blossoms remained fine.

But size 40 and 80 should not shrink.

This is evident in the stretch of a thread (my observation).

Hence decide according to thread size you are using. 

2. Definitely wash and shrink the cotton fabric. It will also remove sizing, if any.

3. Is it possible to give washing/care instructions to your friend, and will she follow them? If yes, then despite which size you use, ask her to block the lace (simple rolling pin method works fine, without hassle) after wash, while still damp. Or iron on wrong side while still damp.

4. Try to avoid too many decorative picots. Fewer the picots, easier to care and maintain.

5. If there is a corner in tatted lace - In such cases, I sew on each side (to pre-shrunk fabric) as I finish tatting it, so that placement is precise. 

6. In case of a simple braid, I tat a shorter length than that required, and start sewing it to fabric. The short span can then be tatted and sewn to precision without fear of overlap of any extra bit.

Some links on how to attach lace to fabric : Tatters frequently post their tips and favourite methods but I haven’t collated them all. Here are a mere handful -

• Frivole’s crochet method of Attaching Tatting to a Handkerchief.
• Liisa Maarit edges her fabric with twisted buttonhole stitch to which lace is sewn.
• Faggoting. (this BellaOnline link doesn't seem to be working!)
• Some resources are pinned in my Stitches & How-tos board.   

Feedback : Thank you! That was all so helpful. I found in my stash a ball of DMC size 30. This was my first time using anything other than ordinary crochet thread (20?) at first I had several breakages, but they got less and less as I went on. I forgot your 5. tip and tatted the lace in a complete square, then measured it for fabric size. 

I did brave the boiling water trick from the link and pressed with a hot iron after wards and it shrunk in 1/2 inch. I also forgot to look at the video on how to attach lace and managed as best I could. I finished it just in time to mail to my friend before her wedding. 

Isn't it a beautiful piece of tatting and a wonderful gift to a friend?!

So what is Your favourite method? Please do share any tips or links and I will add it to my post or the tatting Resources page. 

UPDATE : Kathleen Minniti and Ninetta Caruso have graciously shared their expertise and tutorials/tips on this topic ! Don't miss their pdfs and post detailed here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-tatting-is-thriving.html