When we examine pieces of tatted lace created during the 20th century, we often notice the spots where the tatting started and stopped. We can see many times that knots were used to secure the thread tails after each row or that the tails were whipstitched to the back of the work. Somewhere along the way tatting with a "seamless" or "knotless" look to it began to be preferred. The popularization of techniques such as the split ring, split chain, and mock picot made this possible.

Here are links to four pages displaying the first three nationally published patterns I designed. I remember those days so well. I was so proud. I am still proud of the work but I look at them now and realize just how much my own work has benefited over the years from the study of modern tatting techniques. So let's use these three snowflakes as samples and study them to see how they can be tatted today.

Before class, please choose one (or all) pattern and decide for yourself where the use of the split ring, split chain or mock picot or any modern technique would improve the efficiency of tatting and the overall look of the tatting.

Many years ago I found this piece of tatting in an antique store. The coronation cord in it is unusual for its color. Although coronation cord did come in many shades few examples have survived. Time passed and I came across my first copy of the Priscilla books and in the second one, lo and behold, the exact pattern. In the book it was used as a decoration on a purse. Below are the links to the antique photos and the color piece also. On the last one I have marked a possible path to tat the piece. Please check and see how it matches your idea. Next, without peeking at the book, try to determine the stitch count for the various tatted elements.

Ecru tatting with yellow coronation cord. http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2008/pris2pg8antiquesamplecolorcorobraid.jpg

Sample of regular coronation cord http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2008/pris2pg8b.jpg The original photo plate fro Priscilla #1 pg. 8 http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2008/pris2pg8c.jpg Color tatting with possible path marked http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2008/pris2pg8ds.jpg