Starting motifs

[Joy]

I am starting to tat a centrepiece for a table by joining small motifs as I go......the question is this...How would you start each new motif so that you will not have knots on the beginning of the motif?????
The motifs are small ones and I dont want knots all over the place as I have one knot at the end of the motif too.
Thanks in advance
Joy

[tatt3r]

Wind your shuttle, but measure your thread so you know how much you have.
Tat your medallion, and measure how much thread is left on your shuttle. Now you know how much each medallion will use, and you fill your shuttle with the right amount each time.

Personally, I count the clicks as I wind my shuttle. When I'm done, I unwind my shuttle, counting the clicks again. Then I can subtract and I know how many clicks to wind for the next medallion. If you use a shuttle with a bobbin, you don't get the clicks, so you'll have to measure feet or yards.

I'll be interested to hear how others manage this!

[Ridgewoman]

This is difficult to answer because I can't see the motif; and, I don't know how many techniques that you know. However, I never use knots, even when beginning a first ring. I would begin each new motif by climbing out through use of a split ring, mock picot or SCMR (self-closing mock ring). If you could give some more information, it would be helpful to others to help you with this centerpiece.

Well, duhhh, I'm dunderheaded today~ Went to Profile and found it's my friend Joy! I don't think I understand your question. I think you already know how to climb out to the next motif...so now I'm really confused. LOL My table runner has quarter-size motif and I was doing them one at a time... then joining as I made the next one. But finally began using a SR to climb out to the next motif; and that worked better.
However, I use the method Jane Eborall taught me for beginning without a knot (beginning a ring) or beginning a chain with a paperclip...again no knot. You can also use SCMRs, as I noted. (I'm not that proficient with SCMR's as yet ~ stil slow for me to do; but they do work when I'm at the end. hugs

[Lynn]

Why are you tying knots? Do you know how to hide the beginning ends of threads? Just tat over them.

I am assuming that you are using motifs that begin in the center and can't be climbed into as Ridgewoman instructs. When you begin your ring, tat over both the core thread and the end thread at the same time. I do this by threading the end thread through each half of the ds for three stitches. Some will make the end extra long and then hold both it and the core thread together to tat over both at the same time.

You can also use the magic thread method (http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2001/fall2001/drakemt.html). This takes a bit of planning, but quite a few people have used it effectively. I have used this technique, but still find it easier to use a blunt tapestry needle (http://www.georgiaseitz.com/morales/lilyend.html) and run the end thread under the caps of my ds, then cut very close.

This site (http://www.gagechek.com/slb/demo/demo5.html) has a small video at the top of the page for the magic thread.

Sharon Briggs has a lot of helpful information here (http://www.gagechek.com/slb/tips/tips.html).

With these techniques, there is no reason to have knots at either the beginning or end of your work. If you have further queries, post again.

[Tammy]

Hi Joy.

In the early years of tatting people started with 'knots' at the beginning and end of their projects but with the advancement of tatting and sharing of ideas we have learned a lot of ways to not have to knot at the beginning or end of our projects this includes little motifs. First I think it would be helpful if we knew which of the many starter motifs you are using. I say starter motifs because there seems to be certain combinations of rings and chains that are often used for starter rounds.

One of the first lessons in AKTatter (Georgia Seitz) class that I recall was that before we start a project we should think about how we are going to end the project.....what are we going to do with the ends. Sometimes we can work them into the project as part of the design like the tassel on a bookmark etc. unfortunately we can't do that with all our ends so we must think a head and decide if we want to use Lily Morales (http://www.frontiernet.net/~tammyrodgers/lilys_way.html)' way or the magic thread trick or what to hide our ends but it is important to know that before hand such as you are trying to figure out now. You can see a little diagram of the magic thread trick (http://www.frontiernet.net/~tammyrodgers/ty_carnation.html) at the bottom of my carnation page. It shows how the loops go in.

To start your motif I would suggest if at all possible loading your shuttle with the continuous thread method. This is where you only put a certain amount of thread on your shuttle and start tatting from there without ever cutting the shuttle thread from the ball. However if it is a two shuttle pattern you will have to obviously wind a second shuttle but DO NOT cut the thread after the first shuttle instead wind the thread around the out side of the first shuttle in the opposite direction once you have enough wrapped around the outside then cut from the ball. Now attach that cut end that is hanging from shuttle one to shuttle two and wind shuttle two and now both shuttles are hooked together in one continuous thread with no beginning knot. BTW I would have did a sample like tatt3r recommended to judge how much thread is needed on shuttle one or both if a two shuttle pattern. Oh no we are not done yet. :biggrin: If the motif is two colors such as one color for the rings and one color for the chains then obviously you have to have beginning tails, oh my what to do, not to worry. Either use Lily Morales (http://www.frontiernet.net/~tammyrodgers/lilys_way.html)' or the magic thread trick (http://www.frontiernet.net/~tammyrodgers/ty_carnation.html) they can be used at the beginning of a project as well as at the end. Just think a head and remember to put each color tail to its own color when hiding.

It is best to eliminate ends whenever possible. So I have to second what Ridgewoman said. What is the lay out to all these little motifs, is it possible to use split rings, split chains, mock picots to get yourself from one motif to another? Remember sometimes when doing that you don't start at the spot the designer originally called for as the starting point of the motif sometimes you have to stop and think about what needs to be done to make the project more to suit your needs.

I know this was a long post. I'm sorry. I do hope it helped if I can be more help with this please yell. Please let us know what the motif is, and/or what pattern you are working and perhaps we can give more advice. BTW if I gave advice that you already knew please understand it may help someone else reading this. :flowers:

[Tammy]

ROFL boy my post took a LONG time to write while watching tv. Lynn's post wasn't there when I started. I guess great minds think a like. I'm just terribly long winded. :w00t2:

[Lynn]

ROFL boy my post took a LONG time to write while watching tv. Lynn's post wasn't there when I started. I guess great minds think a like. I'm just terribly long winded. :w00t2:

I've done that too, Tammy. More than once. :blush:

[Joy]

Hi All,
Many thanks for your reply to my question...if I knew how to attach a pic of the little motif her I would but I dont understand the box that comes up for the URL???????
I am using finer thread well size 40 so I am now tatting over the ends so no knots but when using a thicker cotton I dont like the double thickness that this method gives me...will put a photo in my Album
Hugs
Joy

[Tammy]

That is a very pretty motif. Does it connect by just the center of the corner clover or do you also connect the sides of the motifs too?

[Jon Yusoff]

Joy, you can add the pic as an attachment. Notice the paperclip next to smiley in the top row when you type your message? Click on that and a new box opens. If the pic is in your computer, click on 'Browse' and pic the picture that you want, then click 'Upload'. The same window will display the file name of the pic that you've just uploaded under the list 'Current Attachments'. That's it. You can continue typing your message and submit as usual.

As for your question, the earlier posts about covers how I usually do it, but a picture of your motif will help to get the full picture.

[Joy]

Pic of Motif in the spaces between the motif is a 4 leaf kind of flower

Thanks Jon I finally put the pic here and many thanks to all the lovely ladies who answered my question...I am going well now Yhippee!!!!
Joy

[Lynn]

Hi, Joy. That is nice little motif. I can see why you chose it. Let us know - and see - what you make of it.

[Joy]

HI Lynn,
I am trying to make a table centre with this motif so it will be a while before it is finished...I plan to work on this inbetween tatting some doilies.
Hugs
Joy

[Imoshen]

I am also doing this same motif for someone. Here's my solution to avoid knots, you do have to know how to split ring/chain to climb from one motif to the next. I also use continous thread method (CTM) because I so dislike hiding thread ends. Oh and do the split chain and smaller ring before you make the larger ring to climb out to next motif.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/Ambriz_Isabel/patternpickedexplained.jpg

[Lynn]

Well done, Imoshen! Your photo and instructions are very clear. What program did you use for the image? It's really excellent.

[Joy]

Hi Imoshen,
Thank you so very much for the photo and instructions...I really love this little motif
Hugs
Joy

[Imoshen]

Well done, Imoshen! Your photo and instructions are very clear. What program did you use for the image? It's really excellent.
I use PhotoImpact Pro for all my photo editing. It also has an easy watermark option on it so even those with no editing experience can make one.:smile:

Joy, I'm glad I was able to help you out. Sharing knowledge is one of my passions. Happy tatting to you.:thmbup:

[Joy]

I have put a pic in my album of the WIP on the table runner.....ends showing to be sewn is at leisure....for some unknown reason it will not upload to this page sorry abou that folks

Joy

[Lynn]

It looks quite nice, Joy. You are moving rather quickly.

[Joy]

Exceeds your quota by 38.7 KB. Click here to view your attachments (http://www.intatters.com/misc.php?do=attachments)

Hi Kersti,
This is what I get when I try to upload the photo of the table runner to this thread...as you can see it says that I am exceeding my quota....I did manage to upload it to my album though?????

Joy