After tatting a million versions of my own pattern, I sat down to make this a few weeks ago, missed off a ring and ended up with a more open wreath shape than I was expecting. I stuck with it though, and I think it’s fine (not perfect, but fine). I added the beads to this as I stitched it, which in some instances, I think I prefer…
This is my own pattern tatted correctly this time – you can see how much tighter it is, and again I added the beads as I stitched it. This is tatted in size 80.
Both of these are made with envelope backs, and both have a little strip of fabric across the opening, which I quite like. I think I like this method for lavender bags actually, but it does take a bit more time – and you have to make a little cushion of the lavender to go inside. I was really tired when I sewed these together though and managed to completely confuse myself. I made such a nice neat hem for the inside piece (the one under the coloured one), so tiny – and then stitched it on back to front so the hem is inside and the rough edge faces outside! You win some you lose some.
I think they look fine though. I worked on the pattern so much there’s actually another two to come in different colours! I just need to stitch them first.
I’d always thought that certain methods of using beads wouldn’t be possible as I like to use size 80 thread, and the beads that work best with it are tiny. Certain methods — like you can see in the picture here — require you to pull a loop of thread up through a seed bead, with a hook. How on earth do you find a hook small enough to go through a seed beed? The answer? By accident.
(Excuse my gluey finger – I’d previously been doing some DIY). I bought this hook from Jane Eborall. To be honest, when I bought it I don’t think I’d really grasped *quite* how small it was. If you try and look at it when it’s in your hand — really look at it — you go cross eyed! It’s absolutely weeny. It’s so tiny that when it arrived I wasn’t that sure I’d use it, which is a massive shame, as I really like it. As a day to day hook it can split the thread, but I was thinking about beads recently and suddenly it hit me! I HAVE A HOOK THAT MIGHT WORK! And lo and behold, it is *perfect*. So, thank you Jane – thank you for emailing me when they arrived in your shop, and thank you for knowing what I needed better than I did!
Now I just need to work on some patterns with beads – but I feel like a whole new world has opened up! There is of course a downside — tiny tiny beads don’t mix that well with bumpy train rides, which is where I tat the most. But I’ll work on that.
Have a great weekend!
Occasional Crafter 
They both look great and I am in complete agreement about the beads. They really add that special finishing touch to the tatting.
HI there! This design is lovely.
https://occasionalcrafter.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/bead_3.jpg?w=500&h=376
Would you be interested in sharing it with the Online Tatting Class? I would be happy to have you guest teach it as well. Let me know.
Georgia Seitz
Hi! Thank you so much for asking – I’m very flattered. I haven’t actually written the pattern down as yet (I just carry a completed motif in my bag and work from that) so it’s not really shareable. If I do get a chance to do it I’ll let you know.
Those are gorgeous! I’ve got some teeny vintage hooks if you need a back up!
Aww thanks – I’ve just been using your donated thread actually!
They are absolutely gorgeous!
You manage to turn a ‘mistake’ into something so completely gorgeous!!!
And they smell nice!
Very nice
Win win!
Thanks – yeah… I think I’ll need to start lavender farming next 🙂
The “mistake” (which looks lovely to me) being more open could probably take some embroidery like you did before (https://occasionalcrafter.com/2013/02/09/1253/) should you decide to do it again 🙂
I do like your addition of the fabric strip to the envelope backs – I’ve still not given this a try. Maybe the next batch I do!
Beautiful work. It’s so delicate! I’m also looking for a really small hook. Now I know where to look.
Thanks! I think it’s knowing what to look *for* actually. I’d never realised what kind of size would work, but yes, for a size 10 seed bead, a 0.4mm hook will work.
Very pretty I love the look of tatting but I don’t have any practice… 🙂
Just started reading your blog and I am enjoying it so much. I can’t believe you are using size 80 DMC. When I use it I must pull my stitches too tight because mine makes a much smaller motif. Your stitches in your pictures are so detailed and mine turn out sooo tiny! I have been tatting for a few years off and on. I am also a quilter and do most any kind of hand work. I have just found your wonderful world of handwork on pinterest and I am totally addicted. in fact I should been in bed right now but I am enjoying your site so much I think I may not be able to go to sleep. There are so few tatters that I know that practice the craft that I do it all alone. I live way down in Texas.
Plainjane
Jane – thank you so much for your kind comments!
I wish I could say that I use size 80 because I’m such a brilliant tatter – it’s actually just because that’s the only thread I could find when I started 🙂 Is the thread you’re using also DMC? Sometimes different brands can vary the thickness a bit, it could be that your thread is thinner?
I’m not sure how much you know about the online tatters, but there’s quite a few about. http://www.intatters.com is a good place to start looking (and you’ll see a lot of people better than me!).
I also tat alone – but there are so many people online it never feels like that. Now you can say you tat with me.
I’m a would-be-quilter, so please don’t look at any of my sewing photos too closely 😉