Improving Ring & Chain Tension

[Sunny_0ne]

I took Lynn's advice and did a couple of simple patterns that repeat the same ring and chain over and over. I still see a variation, but it seems to be getting better.

The reason the first stitch in the white row looks bigger is that it is the one I (inexpertly) hid threads in.

7773

It also dawned on me that the ONLY patterns that I have had the problem with horribly distorted proportions are the two I have done from Be-Stitched. I am wondering if it is possible that some designers just don't agree with some tatters?

The stitches in these two motifs do not feel floppy at all. The feel tight and firm. And I used the same needle and the same thread as in the one in my I Need Help thread.

[carolivy]

These both look very nice Sunny. Yes, I thing some designers and some tatters won't fit together because designers are human and they write their patterns as it works for them and they may tat looser or tighter than you do so your tatting will not work to their pattern without a bit of "fudging". So, it depends on how badly you want to do that desinger's pattern.

[Sunny_0ne]

Thanks for the feedback, carolivy. Judging from the photos, she tats very loosely and I tat very tightly. I don't think that explains the distortion, but it might help explain the crowding.

[Keely]

I'm so glad you mentioned this---I've just altered two doily patterns because of crowding. At first I thought I was doing something wrong, and I had the "correct" size needle and thread, but after re-doing and re-doing again, I realized that it must have to do with the individual tension of each tatter.

[Sherongb]

There can be wide variation in tension between tatters. TeresaW and I did the same pattern once, in the same brand and size thread. We put mine down on a table, then put hers on top and one round of mine showed out all around. Mine wasn't 'loose and floppy', hers wasn't 'stiff as a board'.

Just to show you the differences.

[carolivy]

Over time, you yourself will have a difference of tension. I made a bookmark for my OH that he really liked, but lost so he asked me to make another with the same pattern and thread. I did so. Much later, he found the first one. There is a drastic difference in the tension and tightness of the tatting between the two pieces. This is one reason I don't like to leave pieces too long as UFO's before finishing them.

[Sunny_0ne]

I am also noticing that the way I feel plays a tremendous role in how things turn out. I've been a bit stressed lately, and brother! Does it ever show! I was feeling bad about regressing so badly and getting worse instead of better. Then I realized the reason.

[PattyD]

Sunny, you are very aware of what you are doing. As you get things "automated" and have to "think less" to do something, your tatting will be excellent. Brains and fingers sometimes have a little trouble getting the steps to the dance.