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How to use fabric scraps

How to use fabric scraps, or what I can do.

How to use fabric scraps

Hello everyone! If you follow me on social networks, you have seen my new work tatting. These are the seven bookmarks of the Chakras. Ah, making two orders in two weeks was not easy! Eyes and hands are a little tired. So I decided to take a break from lace and clean up my craftroom.

Fabric

I’m sure many of my subscribers own several types of needlework. Therefore, you know that it is impossible to put things in order in the workshop without destroying the “stocks”. But throwing away even a small piece of fabric is IMPOSSIBLE! Do you agree? So, I started with a big box of scraps. I had an idea and it took two days to implement it.

Ironed

First, I ironed all the pieces of fabric. Moreover, I did not select fabrics by texture or color, so as not to waste time.

How to use fabric scraps

Then I cut a lot of squares and rectangles. To speed up and facilitate the process, I used a patchwork ruler as a template. And I got the same width of all the pieces – 2.5 inches. By the way, the roller knife helped me to cope with this work wonderfully!

How to use fabric scraps

Then I sewed small pieces into long strips. Of course, all the seams must be ironed out. I thought that the connection of small pieces would be too colorful, so I prepared long strips of “zebra” fabric.

How to use fabric scraps

Now the fun begins! I sewed all the strips diagonally onto a base of light dense fabric and synthetic winterizer. I also stitched each strip, pinning the layers together. To adjust the fabric while sewing, I use an interstitial fixture. If you liked my special “thimble”, write in the comments!

How to use fabric scraps

And at the end of the work, I sewed strips of black dense fabric along the edges of the “variegated disgrace”. The result of my cleaning in the workshop: minus two bags of fabric scraps, minus two sheets of PVC, minus one old tablecloth, minus a bag of sintepon scraps and plus two empty boxes. You see the result in the photo!

So, I showed how to use fabric scraps. In addition to tatting and sewing, I own many other types of needlework. What kind of needlework do you do? Write about it in the comments, I’m very interested. Support my blog, subscribe and share on social networks, thanks!

Also visit my YouTube channel. Subscribe, comments and likes are welcome! https://www.youtube.com/c/ElenaKozinenko

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Cro-tatting Lesson 6

Cro-tatting Lesson 6 , or the return to the beginning.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 5. Therefore, follow the link if you have not read or watched the video of the previous lesson: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-5/

In the last lesson, we disposed of the remnants of the thread. Did you succeed? And I promised to tell you in detail how to connect elements of different colors correctly. Do not throw slippers at me, because I will again talk about the front and back of tatting! Of course, I do not in any way insist on my opinion. Because every artist is entitled to their own point of view. After all, every tatter is an artist! Do you agree? And who can tell the artist exactly how CORRECT? It is possible that you will like the product, which has specially made thin “stitches” of a different color on the front side of the work.

Cro-tatting Lesson 6 Front side
Cro-tatting Lesson 6 Front side

Front or back side?

In my classes for schoolchildren, I show the difference between the wrong side and the wrong side at the very beginning of lessons. Believe me, students perceive this very easily. By the way, it is in cro-tatting that the difference between both sides of the work is very clearly visible. Especially if you use double crochet in the pattern. How unexpectedly, I had an idea for the topic of a new lesson! If you are interested in getting a pattern using double crochet in the pattern , write me in the comments please.

Cro-tatting Lesson 6 Back side
Cro-tatting Lesson 6 Back side

But, it’s time to move from words to deeds, that is, to video! So video Cro-tatting Lesson 6 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGW4f-nMu1g&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

By the way, I have a video on this subject for shuttle tatting. Maybe this will come in handy too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98FYbzTfzZE&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=26

I will be grateful for the support of my blog and YouTube channel. Subscribe, comment, share on social networks, please! This will help make my information more interesting and useful.

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Cro-tatting Lesson 5

Cro-tatting Lesson 5, or how to dispose of leftover threads of different colors.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 4 . Therefore, follow the link if you have not read or watched the video of the previous lesson: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-4-how-to-make-a-split-chain-in-cro-tatting-technique/

I really enjoy reading your comments and questions on my posts. Because in this way you help me to make my blog useful and interesting. The idea of today’s lesson came to me after the publication of one of my old works – a coaster from the remnants of threads. You asked to make a video tutorial on how to make such a coaster. Of course I did this tutorial ! The link to the video is at the end of the post.

I’m sure many of you have stocks of thread. Well, how can I stop if I see threads of a beautiful color on sale?! And sometimes, for a specific project, I specifically buy threads of a very specific size and color. And in this case, I always buy a little more thread than required. You probably know how disappointing it is if a few meters of thread are not enough to complete the product. Therefore, I have there are ALWAYS leftovers threads! Of course, you can rewind the rest of the thread on smaller spools …

Cro-tatting lesson 5
cro-tatting Lesson 5

But it still takes up a lot of space.

So, I decided to get rid of the remnants of the thread. To do this, I needed to combine threads of two colors in small coasters.

Simple coaster from thread of two colors

Note! We add a new thread before the ring or after the ring. In this case, it is very easy to hide both tails on both sides of the ring. And the chain is neat. I did the work with thread of one color until the thread ran out. As you can see, the thread can end anywhere, haha! By the way, I was lucky twice – two coasters turned out to be the same color!

Cro-tatting, free cro-tatting pattern

How many words! Where is Cro-tatting Lesson 5, you ask? You can download the pattern by clicking on the link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i7TlPsECywGl5j-y81wuiV4_NvMEwmlA/view?usp=share_link Or just take a screenshot.

Free pattern cro-tatting

Watch an additional video for the lesson here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ggzsan6n3g&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

By the way, pay attention to the connection of rings of different colors. How to make the perfect connection, I will tell in the next lesson. So do not forget to subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel, so as “not to be late” for the lesson!

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Cro-tatting Lesson 4

Cro-tatting Lesson 4 , or how to make a split chain in cro-tatting technique.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 3 . Therefore, follow the link if you have not read or watched the video of the previous lesson: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-3/

Cro-tatting Lesson 4
Cro-tatting Lesson 4

Ah, I tried my best in the previous lesson! I sought to convince all my readers of the need to master the reception of the split ring. By the way, this is necessary not only for cro-tatting, but also for the tatting shuttle and for the tatting needle. I hope many tatters will “follow me” in this matter, haha! And today I want to suggest that you use a split chain too as often as possible as well. But alas, I have no new arguments. I’m just sure that we must develop, improve and look for new ways and methods. Do you agree with me? Then you will benefit from my new video, I hope.

I use two methods to perform a split chain.

First method

So, fhe first method is good when you move from row to row through chains. You hide the tail of the thread at the beginning of work and, as the second part of the split chain, perform a double crochet. The number of yarn overs should be 1 less than the number of loops in the first half of the split chain. In my video, this is 5sc and Triple Treble Crochet ( or Double Treble Crochet ). Here again I ask for your help. How is this element correctly indicated in English. Write to me in the comments, please.

Second method

But the second method is ideal if you are going to the next row through a split chain + split ring combination. So, in the video, you will see two threads after the split chain is completed. First thread – ball, and the second – long tail of the thread, which I left at the beginning of work. Therefore we can use these two threads to make a split ring.

Wow! I can imagine how tired you are of reading this! Of course, it’s better to watch the video. Don’t forget to leave a comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvR8NaB1-c4&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

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Cro-tatting Lesson 3

Cro-tatting Lesson 3 , or why master the split ring.

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 2 . Please check the link: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-2/

Cro tatting lesson 3

My regular readers know I’m lazy! Haha! Because I don’t like to hide the ends of the threads. Oh, it’s almost as terrible as unraveling the threads in a finished tatting. I’m sure a lot of tatters understand me. If you agree, please write in the comments. After all, each of your comments helps to make my blog more interesting and useful. In addition, in this way you will raise this article higher in the search and give more readers the opportunity to get acquainted with useful material. (Oh, I hope this is helpful!)

Why you need a split ring

Firstly, the use of a split ring helps us to move from one row to another WITHOUT cutting the thread. I like to use this trick. In this way, I get much less tails of threads, which have to be hidden with great pain. By the way, you can not hide polyester threads. You can cut them short and melt them with a lighter. But be careful, otherwise you can ruin the product!

Secondly, the split ring helps in creating very original patterns. By the way, the split rings bookmark looks pretty cute, doesn’t it!

Cro tatting lesson 3
Cro tatting lesson 3

Thirdly, the split ring can be made with a shuttle, needle or crochet. For all these three tatting tools, I have already published videos on my You Tube channel. Thank you in advance for all the likes, comments and subscriptions! Today I added a separate video for cro-tatting. I hope Cro-tatting Lesson 3 was interesting and useful for you. You can watch all the videos on Split Ring by clicking on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5ONjnKNOI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

The topic of my next lesson is a split chain for cro-tatting. I’m sure you’ll like it! Also you will enjoy visiting my store, please check! https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

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Work on bugs

Work on bugs, or never fall into despair.

Hello everyone! Today I want to thank everyone who thinks of me, prays for my country and supports us in this terrible time. So I just can’t imagine how one can cope with depression or despair alone.

Yesterday I had a psychologically very difficult day. 400th day of open occupation, bombing and destruction of my country. Yes, my nerves can not stand it, alas. Although I try to do my favorite thing – tatting. But this is impossible. After all, creativity requires a special state of mind. Do you agree?

Ah, I had to reach out to FB tatting group members for support and prayers. My dears! I am extremely touched by your words and prayers. Also I low bow to everyone for not letting me fall into despair!

Fixing the bug connecting picots

Unfortunately, circumstances do not always give me the opportunity to be an active participant in social networks. But I’m trying! Recently I saw a post with a photo of an error in the finished tatting product and the question is whether it can be fixed. Of cource, all needleworkers know how much time, work, focus and diligence we put into each of our handmade products. And then, finally, when you can with delight say “tadaaam!” , you discover an unfortunate mistake. Ah, I forgot to connect the two elements with picots according to the scheme. What to do? How to fix? Throw everything away and start over? Well, how can you not fall into despair.

Work on bugs
Work on bugs

But my article today is titled: Work on bugs, or never fall into despair. So, the main thing is not to succumb to negative emotions. As you know, there are two ways out of any situation, one of which is correct, ha ha! So what can we do? First, you can throw away this work and do it all over again. But that would be just the wrong way out. Therefore, I suggest taking a sewing needle and a thin thread of the same color as our product. This way you simply sew each missing picot to the ring (or chain, if it fits the pattern). Of course, it is difficult to explain this process in words. However, we have an assistant – YouTube channel! My new video on this topic is ready to watch, welcome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2waGQ_elnk8&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Please subscribe to my blog, comment and share on social networks. And also check my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/

Thank you!

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Cro-tatting lesson 2

Cro-tatting lesson 2, or how easy and simple it is to make a closed motive.

Cro-tatting lesson 2
Cro-tatting. Lesson 2

Hello everyone! This article is a continuation of Lesson 1. Please check the link: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/cro-tatting-lesson-1/

Today I want to show you how to make a simple closed motif. After all, tatters are constantly faced with such elements! Of course, you use flowers, medallions, rosettes, small squares or triangles in your work. I know it’s not always easy to connect the last element to the first one in such fragments. Especially often this question worries novice needleworkers. By the way, I advise you to start mastering the closed motif with a piece that contains at least 5-6 Rings. You ask why? Becouse in this case It is more convenient to rotate the finished part of the work for joining.

Of course, I made a short video. Although I made this video using a tatting hook, the principle of connecting the rings into a closed motif will be interesting and useful for lovers of the shuttle and the needle also. I’m sure words can’t explain everything. It’s good that there is an opportunity to find a video on YouTube that you will like and be useful to you! The Internet has brought into our lives the opportunity to learn whatever your heart desires. But be careful! I urge everyone not to get completely dependent on the World Wide Web! Haha! Sorry, I digress.

So, today I suggest you make a small motif of eight rings and eight chains. For beginners, I advise choosing high-quality #10 threads. And it is better if you take threads of light shades. Oh, believe me, dark threads (especially black ones) are very tiring for the eyes.

This is a graphic diagram and instructions. You can easily copy this picture (this is JPG file).

And I will be glad for your comments, wishes and subscriptions here and on my YouTube channel. You can watch the video Cro-tatting lesson 2 here, welcome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmClyW-P0gM&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

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Cro-tatting Lesson 1

Cro-tatting Lesson 1. A bit of history and also basic knots.

Cro-tatting Lesson 1

Hello everyone!  My regular readers, you certainly know how much I love tatting. This is a hobby for me, a passion, an antidepressant and an opportunity to support my Ukraine in this difficult time. In addition, I try to popularize this amazing needlework technique. And today I’m starting a series of cro-tatting lessons.

What is cro-tatting

Crochet combines tatting needle with crochet. The cro-tatting tool is a needle with a hook on the end. I’m sure you can read the full article on tatting on wikipedia. Many people find cro-tatting more difficult than crocheting or tatting.

Some tatting instructors recommend using a tatting needle and a crochet hook. But I haven’t tried it. Perhaps because I have the perfect tool (in my opinion) – Toshiko Takashima hook.

Unfortunately, this type of tatting is quite rare. And completely undeserved, in my opinion. In addition, cro-tatting are easy to unravel if you make a mistake. You just need to pull the end of the thread, haha! I know, supporters of tatting by shuttle would certainly appreciate it!

Base knots

Cro-tatting lesson 1

This photo shows that all the rings are made using the classic tatting technique. That is, the rings are made up of double stitches (ds). And the chains are crocheted and consist of air loops (al). Perhaps because of the intricacies of the translation, I again confuse the terminology. So write me in the comments, please, if I’m wrong (to do this, click on the Leave a comment button at the BEGINNING of the article).

For cro-tatting lesson 1, I made a video demonstrating the base knots. Of course, if you know how to tat with a needle, it will be very easy for you to make a double stitches. The main difficulty lies in the formation of the ring. But with just a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it. I decided to show you two ways to form a ring. Personally, I prefer the first way. Because this way the ring turns out to be more symmetrical (it seems to me).

In the recording, cro-tatting Ring looks the same as a shuttle or needle tatting. For example, R: 16.
English term for the chain is “single crochet” and in abbreviation “C: 7 sc”. Although in Ukrainian this term is called “air loop” and is denoted, for example, as C: 7al.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdd7EHAM9lI&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ

Check my store please: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/shop/

And also subscribe to my YouTube channel and blog. I will try to make new video tutorials and detailed articles on the topic of cro-tatting in the near future. Thanks in advance for your comments, questions and suggestions!

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Tatting lace collars

Tatting lace collars, or 2023 fashion trends.

Tatting lace collars
Tatting lace collars

Hello everyone! Today I found an interesting article about collars on Wikipedia. And I want to share with you for sure! So:

In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck.
A collar may be permanently attaced to the main body of the garment (e.g. by stitching) or detachable. Oh, I love detachable collars! Because by changing the collars, you can get several different outfits from one dress!

Collars shapes

I also found a table on Wikipedia with the names and descriptions of 66 types of collars, wow! For example, a Peter Pan collar. But I’m sure you all know that collars name. Or, zero collar. This is neckline of shirt without band and collar. Or, zero collar. This is neckline of shirt without band and collar. By the way, it is on such a zero neckline that detachable collars look best.

By the way, you can use a brooch to fasten the collar around the neck. This will add even more chic and elegance to your image.

There is also a type of collar worn as part of clerical clothing called Clerical collar. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the shape of chokers is very similar to this type of collar.

Also I find collar Pussy Bow very interesting and unusually feminine. This collar tied in a large bow under the wearer’s chin. Particularly associated with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. I was very surprised to learn this fact today. Because about 10 years ago I created a little collar with a little bow and named it Pussycat! Haha!

Collars material

I’m afraid you won’t have the patience to read a list of all the materials from which the collars were made.

These are the golden collars-necklaces of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

Or the finest handmade lace in the collars of French kings. It’s a Medici collar.

Also a combination of silk fabric and the finest lace is used.
Nowadays, cotton, denim, guipure, leather various threads are used for collars. Add embroidery, embossing, beads. Of course, the list is far from complete!

In 2023, lace is back in fashion. Probably, not all ladies will want to wear a lace dress. But everyone wants to be at the peak of fashion, I’m sure! So be sure to add some lace collars to your wardrobe. Including tatting collars. It is for the manufacture of tatting or bobbin lace that threads are used. Because they are light and extremely chic.

Tatting lace collars for the dress

You can buy ready-made collars for every taste or make your own according to my master classes. Welcome to my store: https://fairylace.kozinenko.com/?s=collar&post_type=product

Please write your wishes, feedback and comments in the comments. To do this, go to the BEGINNING of the article and click the “Leave a comment” button.

I hope you enjoy my video on YouTube. Like and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbPXyJwRHFw&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=45

And in conclusion, a small gift – a tatting collar pattern from Project Gutenberg’s Beeton’s Book of Needlework, by Isabella Beeton.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day, or why I love doing custom orders.

Hello everyone!  Today, on Valentine’s Day, I couldn’t ignore the topic of hearts, of course! We all know that the image of a heart is a symbol of love. This is explained by the fact that love serves as a connecting element in the world. Therefore, by creating a mirror image of the deuce, they get what is considered a symbol of love. The heart is the perfect image of love as the force that binds the world. That is why they speak of two halves of the heart.

Happy Valentine's Day!
red lace heart, embroidery FSL

I really enjoy making lacy hearts. By the way, my patterns are not always symmetrical. But I think it gives a special charm to the hearts.

I also enjoy weaving hearts according to the patterns of other masters. For example, a simple but very cute heart pattern from Handy Hands.

I especially like to weave lace for custom orders. Because when I create a product for a certain client, I think about this customer all the time. I imagine how happy my customer will be when he opens the box with the order. Oh, I always try to please and surprise my customers.

Today I finished solving another problem (ha-ha! not mathematical!).
Given: one pattern and two balls of pink and light green thread, shuttles and scissors.
Required: Make 12 different hearts in the same pattern.
Rate how I coped with this task! Yes, I got 12 different hearts. In addition, I can make 12 more options !

I will be grateful to you for comments and remarks. This will help me make my blog more interesting and useful. You can write comments by returning to the BEGINNING of the post and clicking on the word COMMENTS.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I wish you happiness, love and peace, my dear readers. And also I invite you to watch the video clip on my YouTube channel, welcome! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFztNo5OwL4&list=UULF3dn4_9pp7tIKA2k564wLBQ&index=11