Friday, 2 November 2012

Wonderful Jan Stawasz

I was so excited when a copy of Jan Stawasz's book came up on Ebay.  I have made a few of his designs before thanks to a kind tatting friend who lent me her book.  But I was always hoping I'd be able to get my hands on my own copy one day.  And the day finally arrived!  It's mine - yipee!

Here is the first motif I tatted from the book.  Just a little one so I could try out Jess's Madder Tatter thread (definitely a good name for it!)


I forgot to put a magic thread in for the centre ring so there's an unappealing blip of colour there.  There is a lot of contrast in the colours of this thread and by having a thrown ring off the chain, it makes a bit too much of a line (a break) in the colours.  I also played with the thrown rings (the little flowers) because I felt they weren't sitting quite straight on the chain... I tried "posting" the shuttle as some people advise (passing the shuttle through the loop of a ring before closing it) and I think it did improve the look in this particular motif (see if you can spot which ones are which!). 


Here it is!  Love this book.
So glad to have it in my eager little tatting hands!


Best wishes,

17 comments:

  1. I love the motif, it's very beautiful!!

    Do you know, I was using some of the Madder Tatter earlier today, and noticed the contrast.... and thought "Oh no, it will be too much contrast for my friend Joelle!" lol

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    1. "a lot", yes... maybe not too much! There is something unusual but appealing about this colour mix. Yes, as you know, I tend to favour more subtle colour changes but in general, I love your threads!

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  2. Oh how fabulous and wonderful that looks!!! :)

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  3. Great motif - and the thread color is wonderful and bright!

    How lucky you are to have that book :)

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    1. Thank you Cindy, yes, I am delighted to finally get the book.... but then I just heard he is republishing it!! Maybe I should have waited a bit longer - :-))

      Never mind, I'm still really pleased.

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  4. I love that book too! My puppy gnawed a corner of my copy but didn't damage the pattern instructions any. That motif looks so nice. :)

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  5. Beautiful again! What's posting a shuttle?

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  6. Well done on getting the book, Beautiful colours and lovely mat, can you explain what you meant by " posting a shuttle". I am thick?

    Have a nice weekend
    Margaret

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    1. Of course not!! My fault, I should have explained it in the body of the message (I'll go add it now).

      Michelle and Margaret: "posting the shuttle" means passing the shuttle through the loop of a ring before closing it. This helps bring forward the last double stitch of a ring which can tend to twist backwards slightly (that's for tatting geeks like me who worry about such things!).

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  7. Lucky you!
    This motif is wonderful, and I really love the thread's colors.

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  8. Jan's patterns are simply stunning, Love them and love your work, beautiful colors and realization. I am only sad 'cause the book is out of print... (but I don't understand why he cannot sell it as an e-book)

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    1. I agree with you Chiara and have always like Jan's patterns. But I have just been told that his first book is being re-published and that he is bringing out a second book! That's exciting news. If you go to his website, there is information about it.

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  9. Lucky you to find the book! He does the most amazing work. I like the colour changes in your motif, very pretty.

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  10. Jan's designs are beautiful! I read somewhere that he's coming out with a new book. I hope it's true. I do like the thread you've used. I don't mind little blips showing through. I think it just adds to the character of the thread.

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  11. Such a stunning motif and it does go wonderfully with the thread!

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  12. Me encantan los diseños de Jan; soy una de sus mas fieles admiradoras y ver uno se sus patrones trabajado en hilo de color me resulta alucinante. WOW, adorable

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