Coin Purse!
One of my main focuses lately has been in writing up the directions for the coin purse pattern that I’ll be teaching at Shuttlebirds. I haven’t gotten to creating the diagrams or adding the pictures yet, but the written instructions have just made it to the 9th page! I think I’m done with all the written portion though so I suspect the final project will be 10 pages or so. Luckily for my students, it’s not actually that hard of a pattern, but I’ve included instructions for a couple different options. Also, I’ve had to create directions for two different ways of attaching it to the clasp because some of the clasps have 14 holes and some have 15 and some have 14 on one side and 15 on the other.  So yeah. That complicates the directions. Also, I’ve included option for those who want to use split chains and rings and those who don’t.
I still need to make up the diagrams, but then I’m done. I realized about half-way through tatting the example above that it was probably a bad idea to use such a colorful variegate to show the pattern so I’m making another sample that’s solid purple on the top and black on the bottom. I think when I’m all done that’s going to become the one I carry around in my purse. It’ll replace the oddly misshapen, proof-of-concept version that I’ve been using the last couple months.
In other news, I’m definitely coming down with a cold which is unfortunate. Hopefully it doesn’t get any worse, but if it does it’s going to make it hard to concentrate on anything for the next couple days.
Mariangela Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 2:03 am
Complimenti per i tuoi lavori
Gina Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 4:09 am
What a great project! I do that too. I end up writing up the variations or different ways of doing the same thing for a class….and run out of time before I can cover it, but I think that’s the point of a class – education as well as the fun of doing it. I don’t believe in “right” ways so I like to show different ways of getting the same result if I can. We all have strengths and weaknesses and sometimes it’s easier to do something one way than another, even if it doesn’t look exactly the same. I think knowing that keeps people motivated and they can always learn another way later. I did. I’ve changed a lot of habits but the less efficient ones allowed me to make something pretty in a way I felt comfortable with until I was ready to explore a new technique. It’s important to recognize that, I think. Once again, I can’t make it this year, but it is definitely on my “to-do” list.
Marty Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 8:02 am
That sounds like way too much work! But, oh, I love the end result — even in the variegate. I hope it goes well at Shuttlebirds. One day…
Lily Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 8:24 am
Hi Jessica,
Wow! I knew you were busy, but didn’t know just HOW busy!!!
Anyway, I hope you were able to get my emails regarding the test-tatting. Please let me know if what I wrote was sufficient enough or not
Love the coin purse, btw… pretty nifty!
Sue Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 6:05 pm
That looks so amazing! 🙂
Karen Said,
April 6, 2011 @ 10:12 pm
Looks great, Jessica. Looking forward to seeing it in “real life”. Karen in OR
tattingrid Said,
April 7, 2011 @ 9:54 am
Absolutely gorgeous. This would make a nice purse for a bride too, don’t you think?
admin Said,
April 11, 2011 @ 7:42 pm
Mariiangela, Grazie!
Gina, Thanks. I was forced to write up two different main sets of instructions because some of the clasps have 14 holes and some have 15 and some clasps have one side with 14 and one side with 15! So that’s the largest portion that’s two different options. Then I wrote the instructions with split rings and split chains, but decided I should add quick instructions for how to do it with just regular rings and chains. That actually ended up taking longer to describe than I expected, but I’m glad I did it. I like having the different versions. Especially since you might have to follow the basic ones just based on your color choices and not just your skill level.
Marty, The main thing that made the directions so long was the different variations, so if you were making it you wouldn’t have to do 10 pages of tatting! Actually, the hardest part of it is figuring out how to hold the clasp while you’re tatting and making the joins to the small holes on the clasp.
Lily, Thanks again for all your help with the test tatting. I’ll send you a new version of the booklet. On your suggestion I went through and numbered the rings on the diagram for the pendent (actually I labeled them on the fingerless glove on the previous page, because the picture was bigger, but they’re done in the same order). You’re right, it’s much easier to follow. Great idea!
Sue, Thanks!
Karen, Thanks! See you in Spokane!
Tattingrid, Thanks! I’m shocked that until reading your comment it never even occurred to me to do a bridal version. It would be awesome though in white with white and blue beads. Or a custom one with your wedding colors.