ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS IN TATTING OR FRIVOLITE.
For a considerable period the art of Tatting, long disused in this country, has been revived in the fashionable world; and like many other things which have disappeared for a time, has acquired greater lustre and beauty than it ever before possessed.
The exercise of the art of Tatting as known to our grandmothers, was merely an elegant apology for exhibiting a pretty hand and brilliant rings; the actual production was never more elaborate than a neat, but rather substantial edging for a child’s dress or a lady’s frill. No wonder that our friends on the other side of the Channel christened this apology for a lady’s idleness pre-eminently by the appropriate termFrivolite. At the late French Exposition of Industry, however, some very beautiful and elaborate specimens having been exhibited, this kind of work again became the rage, both in France and England; and doubtless the elegant pieces of Tatting which may be seen in our own Exhibition, will tend yet further to keep the work popular.
The only necessary instruments are the shuttle, or short netting-needle, and a gilt pin and ring, united by a chain. The thread used forFrivoliteshould be strong and soft; something like knitting cotton.
The first point to be attended to in Tatting, is the mode of holding the hands. The shuttle, filled with thread in the manner of a netting-needle, should be held between the thumb and the first and second fingers of the right hand, about half a yard of the thread being unwound. Take up this thread two or three inches from the end, between the thumb and first finger of the left hand, letting the end fall in the palm of the hand; passthe thread round the other fingers of the right hand, keeping them rather apart from each other, and bring it again between the thumb and fore-finger, thus making a circle round the extended fingers.
Two stitches only are used in Tatting, and it is usual to do each alternately, as a prettier edging is thus formed than can be made in any other way. This is, therefore, called thedouble stitch.
The first stitch to be learned is termed the English Stitch. This is made in the following manner:—
Let the thread between the right hand and the left fall towards you, (as will be seen in the Engraving), slip the shuttle under the thread between the first and second fingers, and draw it out to the right rather quickly, keeping it in a horizontal line with the left hand. It will be found that a slipping-loop is formed on this thread with that which went round the fingers.
Hold the shuttle steadily, with the thread stretched tightly out, whilst with the second finger of the left hand, you slip the loop thus made under the thumb.
I may here remark that when Tatting will not draw up, it is because the operation is reversed; and instead of the loop being formed by the thread round the fingers, it is formed by that connected with the shuttle. This is usually caused by the worker letting the thread from the shuttle hang loosely instead of drawing it out, and holding it at full stretch.
There is very little difference between the French and the English stitch. It simply consists in throwing the thread in a loop over the left, and inserting the shuttleupwardsunder the circleround the fingers, instead ofdownwards, as in the English stitch.
The accompanying Engraving gives a clear idea of the manner in which this is to be done. The shuttle is drawn out, and the stitch formed exactly in the same manner as in the previous stitch.
The two stitches thus made form one double stitch; and when as many are done,and drawn close to each other, as may be directed, the stitches are held between the first finger and thumb and the other fingers are withdrawn from the circle of thread, which is gradually diminished by drawing out the shuttle until the loop of Tatting is nearly or entirely closed. The tatted loops should be quite close to each other, unless particular directions to the contrary are given.
Sometimes Tatting is ornamented by a succession of tiny loops, something like pearl edging; these are made with the pin previously spoken of.
Slip the ring on the left hand thumb, that the pin, being attached to the chain, may be ready for use. Make as many double stitches as the directions prescribe, twist the pin in the circle of thread, and hold it between the fore-finger and thumb whilst making more stitches; repeat.
Tatting should always be done with a very cool, dry hand.
Common Tatting is merely a length of tatted loops, with or without picots.
Trefoil Tatting is done by drawing up tightly three loops, made quite close together, and then leaving a short space before making more. The Trefoil is sewed into shape afterwards with a common sewing needle.
A pretty variety may be made by trimming a number of large loops with others very much smaller, which should be sewed round them. In this case a little distance must be allowed between all the large loops.
I should always advise learners to use coarse crochet silk for their first attempts in Tatting, as it is very much easier to do with this material than with any other.
Tatting is usually sewed on net, for collars, &c. I, however, greatly prefer the effect when the Tatting is formed into a solid mass by the aid of Point lace stitches. Diagrams of all these may be found in Part III. of this work.