Monday, September 7, 2009

Crazy tatting tip du jour

Here's my favorite tatting tip - hiding thread ends using a variation on the Magic Thread Trick.

Lots of folks have shown you how to do the Magic Thread Trick (MTT). It's the best thing since sliced bread. But my version is even better, I promise!

Here's my secret: I don't use thread at all for this - I use Floss Threaders! A floss threader can be used over and over again, and it's a cinch to tat over, because it's stiff. (Thread is floppy.) Plus, they come in this nifty little container and they're CHEAP. You can buy them at the drug store, about 25 in a package.





When tatting a ring using floss threaders, always skip the half of the double stitch that's next to the close of the ring. When I'm starting a project & using a floss threader for MTT, I start the ring with a regular half stitch, than tat over the floss threader for the second half. If I need the MTT to come out on the back end of the ring, just don't tat over the second half of the last double stitch. the one that finished the ring. Here I'm starting a ring - I slip the tail into the second half of the double stitch.





And continue tatting over the floss threader's tail.....





Until I'm at least 5 DS in. I usually stop tatting over the floss threader at a picot. Then finish the ring...




And pull tight. Pull the floss threader's tail so that just a bit of the loop sticks out, about 1/2 inch. (I need to pull the tail in a bit here.) Make sure the loop sticks out the bottom of the ring!



Leave the floss threader in. When you are almost finished tatting your project, put a floss threader in your last ring or chain and finish. (FYI - for a chain, don't skip the half stitch, just do all DS.) Then knot the thread ends together, and put each thread end into one of the floss threader's loops. Then pull out the threader and trim the thread ends. Voila - you're done! Cool, huh?



I reuse my floss threaders over and over. You can use floss threaders for other things too. Yarnplayer has a great tutorial on adding beads with them.





You may now return to your regularly scheduled broadcast.


10 comments:

  1. I am really impressed, now I just have to see if they sell these gadgets in France...
    fingers crossed.
    :)

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  2. I have to admit I've never had any luck with these myself. I don't consider myself a tight tatter but every time I've tried the magic thread trick, even with floss holders, something breaks. There have been so few exceptions that I wasn't encouraged to continue trying. I may need to work on my technique.

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  3. What a great idea, I will have to remember that. On my bookmarks I am not as fussy, I just tie off and Eray Check them. But on my earrings that would be a great way to hide the ends. Thanks again.

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  4. If your thread is breaking doing MTT on rings, you may be tatting over the floss minder on the closest double stitch to the loop. Don't tat onver the first or last half, whichever is closest. (DO tat over using the other half) This is also true for using regular thread for MTT.

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  5. This is something I have been trying in the last week, but the instructions I had were all written and I'm pretty visual. Thank you for taking the time to post about the MTT. I am going to sit down with your pictures and give it another whirl!

    :) Ann

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  6. Excellent tutorial!

    Something I've found helpful is to tat with just a very tiny bit looser tension on the double stitches that cover the magic thread. I usually use size 80 as my "magic thread", but I totally see how the floss threaders could work for this. I think they're a very useful piece of equipment.

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  7. I also use the floss threaders for stringing beads.

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  8. Love the photos. I'm adding this to my "Tatting Techniques" list so that if others want a pictorial-tutorial about this I can find it easily. Your a gem!

    ~TattingChic ♥

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  9. Ha ha ha! I went over to Martha's blog and apparently I've already checked it out, LOL! SILLY me! :)

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  10. Very Impressive! This would be an amazing trivia to share to my dentist in Chandler. I believe he will be amazed as well.

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