Designer of many tatting patterns. Simple method of beaded tatting. Flowers are my inspiration!

Tuesday 29 April 2008

Gladiolus progression



I thought you would all like to see how I have developed the gladiolus that I have been designing. Even the experts don't always get it right first time! Sometimes a pattern works out well with just one go but I find that that is not very often. It is much more likely to take 3 or even more goes to get it exactly how I want it.
The first picture shows the very first trial. I didn't bother to complete the third petal as I new it was not right. The petals need to be pointed and this was no way near enough.
The second picture shows that by doing the lock stitch chain (LSC) it achieved the point that I was after but on the first two petals I did the centre vein with block tatting. On the third petal I decided to do the centre vein with LSC to see what a difference it made and I thought that it looked much better.
The third picture shows my finished design of the petals. I will make another set of three petals and place them, offset, on top of the first set to achieve the correct shape of the gladilous.
Now all I have to do is to write out the pattern, design the calyx and make a bud! Not much pressure then!!! But you all know I love it really!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, I am looking forward to the rest of it. This is a very intersting process (not to mention the gladiolus is my birthday flower). Thank you, Linda.

Tattycat said...

The gladiolus and the Queen Anne's Lace are both very beautiful. You must have infinite patience!

Toptattyhead said...

Thank you both for your lovely comments. Isn't it amazing how we can have patience galore for some things but I get easily frustrated with other things, like food shopping or ignorant drivers!
I love working with my fingers, the fiddlier the better, like tatting and sugarcraft!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you are producing these beauties. For me, still mastering the art and at the same time my studies. So it will be a LONG while before I can do any designing.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing the process! I can't wait to see the final version!

Unknown said...

It looks like you are on your way to creating the perfect tatted gladiola. Very nice.

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Your Tatted Gladiola is awesome Linda. Nice job on the design. This flower reminds me of a wildflower found in our woods in Pennsylvaia called Trillium. I did a google image search, if you would like to see them, here is the link. http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=trillium&gbv=2

Your tatting is always beautiful and I enjoy your blog very much!

Have a great weekend!!

Toptattyhead said...

Thank you to everyone for all your encouragment.
Carol, I did google the trillium link and what a coincidence! I have never heard of it before, but how lucky to have such a beautiful wild flower growing near you. Just the one set of three petals in white would be just the job for this flower!