Next 3D elements

These are some of the elements I have made for the next edition of my 3D Collection. I have also done a piece of tulle edged with beaded tatting, but you will have to wait to see the finished article!

3D Collection No.2

Here is the second arrangement in my 3D collection.
It has taken me longer than I expected because I had the temerity to go to Scotland for a mini break. All I did was eat, sleep, drive and sight see. No tatting at all!

3D Collection No.1

I have decided to do a 3D collection of hair pieces and corsages and this is the first to be completed.

I am well on the way to finishing the second one and will post a picture when it is done.



Tatted Tiaras and Bridal Pieces

The new book "Tatted Tiaras and Bridal Pieces" is now available and uploaded onto my web site, Here is the direct link to the appropriate page.

I decided to get a move on with this publication so that fellow tatters had plenty of time for tatting for spring brides and weddings.

The pictures show just a few of the 24 pages.

I hope you all enjoy having a go!

Finished arrangements

This is just to show how different the same motifs can look, simply by assembling them in different ways!

Designing all done!

Here are a few more motifs that I have done for the new book.





I have done enough patterns now and my next job is to show how I assemble the motifs into arrangements.

Tiaras assembled

While I'm waiting for my new wool to arrive I thought I would finish off a couple of tiaras.

I have attached the tatting to the headband using fine jewellery wire. The left one I added pearl beads at the same time. This could also be done for the one on the right and I think it would benefit from it....what do you think?

After I had assembled the tiaras I felt that they were not stiff enough - I had used "Fraycheck" - and so I dipped the tatting in full strength PVA glue, wiped off the excess with a damp cloth and reshaped the tatting by moulding them against curmpled alluminium foil. The stiffness is now perfect!

Bridesmaid - first design

Here is the first little headdress completed. I think that I will design a certain amount of 3D flowers and then show how they can be arranged in different ways.

How does this sound?

Project "Tiara" started!

Following the request to make a Tiara pattern book, I have made a start on the designs.

The creamier colour is a size 20 thread and 4mm pearl beads and the one in the top left of the picture is done with a perle size 12 and tiny beads with a silver centre.

I have now soaked the pieces of tatting in a stiffening solution and when they are dry I will attach them each to a headband.

The new book will also contain headdresses/fascinators and corsages. The first one is almost ready to assemble. I will post a pic when it is done.

Bridal Headband

Here, as promised, is a picture of the completed bridal headband that is for my future daughter-in-law's maid of honour.
I have made it with exactly the same flowers, motifs, ribbons and pearl tatting as the bride's headdress, but with less in it, to distinguish between the two. Can't have the bridesmaid upstaging the bride, now can we? LOL

Pleasing outcome

My future DIL...for whom I made the bridal headdress and veil (nearly finished) is so thrilled that she has requested me to make a matching head band for her maid-of-honour.

I'm cock-a-hoop about this, because I like nothing better than a really good reason to make my 3D creations!

Will post a picture of the completed veil soon and then the new head band in the future.

Now must get the shuttles moving....busy, busy, busy! LOL

Bridal progress so far

The headdress is now completed and I have used lots of the cluny designs that I have developed recently, together with other of my favourite own designs. Although it looks like a complete circle...it is not. It is open at the back, where the feathers come together on each side. This is where I shall be attaching the Juliette veil....not quite sure how yet, but I'm sure I'll work it out when the time comes!

I have decided to do the "hens and chicks" pattern, that is loved by many, to edge the wedding veil. I am using a size 2o thread with 3mm beads. Now, I know some of you will be thinking that this is rather thick thread for a delicate wedding veil, but in my many years of experience in making wedding veils with beaded tatted edgings, a very fine thread can only be seen when you are very close up to the bride, whereas a thicker thread really stands out from a distance. Also, I have found that thicker thread, together with lots and lots of beads, instead of weighing down the veil, makes it hang beautifully and has less tendencies to be as "fly away" in a breeze.

Motifs completed so far

These are the motifs that I have completed so far, for future DIL's bridal headband. Sorry the picture is not of the best quality, but, as usual, I was in a hurry! LOL
Many more to do yet!

Headdress decision is made

For those who are following the saga of the bridal headdress for my future daughter-in-law, together we have come up with the final solution. She is going to have a full circle headress with a Juliette veil which drapes from the back.





The following picture is what she saw to make up her mind on the sort of thing she would like (but using the cluny rosettes and of course lots of other tatted motifs). We then developed it further into a full circle plus the little veil at the back to soften the shortness of her hair.


I have already made several motifs and wired them, plus some pearl tatting over wire (that will please Mark Myers), but there is still a lot more to do. I will post some pics as it developes.




I know she will look beautiful!

Bridal Headdress Cluny Motifs

These are the lates motifs I have designed that I intend to make into a bridal headdress. My future DIL wanted me to make her a tiara for the big day (which I have done...see previous post) but since her original request she developed breast cancer and has lost all her hair with the treatment.

Although the wedding is not until 4th September, her hair will still be very short, probably about 3 inches max and as such, I don't think that a tiara will be easy to wear. To soften the blow I entend to have one or two alternatives for her to wear, like these motifs made up onto a comb and also, I thought I might make a headband type. Originally she had not intended to wear a veil, but a little veil coming straight down from a combed headdress that can be worn at the back of the head would soften the shortness of her hair.

I will post more pics later in the process.

If anyone has any other ideas I would love to hear them.

Cluny Rosettes

These cluny rosettes are another idea I have had in making a bridal headdress.

They have been stiffened with sugar syrup.

I have almost finished another set of rosettes, but this time I have made them half ones and finished them off with beads. I shall have a go at stiffening them with PVA glue.

I will post a picture when they are done.