Reviewing the book Frivolité by Sparrow Kelley

 

The full title is "Frivolité the complete beginner's guide to shuttle tatted lace" by Sparrow Kelley. The book is available from https://www.learnshuttletatting.com/ in both eBook and printed books. 

Here's some of my reactions to this new book:

The step by step teaching method is brilliant! How to shuttle tat the double stitch for beginners is presented in separate lessons: 

    First, the beginner is shown how to make the first half and second half of the double stitch of tatting without flipping. 

    After that is practiced, then flipping the double stitch is taught in the next lesson. 

It's really so much easier to learn one skill at a time instead of several complex skills (the knot and the flip) all at once. (I wish it had occurred to me to teach that way years ago!)

Sparrow expertly demonstrates the classic "slip and slide" method of tatting.

Troubleshooting the flip along with showing common errors is covered. All the basic techniques used in tatting patterns are shown: chains, picots, joins, lock joins, hiding ends, and blocking.

How to read patterns, both written and visual is explained clearly. Sparrow, like most modern designers, has a unique style of drawing diagrams. Those little extras, such as marking the joins and using different colors for shuttle 1 and ball thread/shuttle 2 are helpful references for understanding the pattern.

Here's my tatted piece that I made from following "Advanced Pattern #1: Interesting Edging" on page 33 in the book.

Another thing I like about the printed book is the spiral binding allows it to lay flat to any page, making it easy to keep the page open to the pattern while tatting.

Overall, I'm giving this book an A+ rating as a how-to guide for beginners. 

This is really not a book of patterns that would interest experienced tatters, unless they are looking for ideas on how to teach beginners.

What is a ShuttleShip?

 

ShuttleShip model S18 from Stephanie Cervi in turquoise color.

What you're seeing in these photos is just one version of the ShuttleShip, designed and made by StephanieCerviDesign. Click the link to see more at her website!

I've loaded mine with some of my shuttles, a ball of Lizbeth thread, crochet hook, tiny scissors, and a tatting project in progress to show how much the S18 model can hold. 

Both large and small Clover brand shuttles will fit, as well as Lacis Sew Mate shuttles. Handy Hands Starlit shuttles are too large for this model, but there are other ShuttleShips available that can accommodate them. 

It's said to be very helpful for Helix tatting, but I have not yet tried that technique so can't comment about that. What I currently am using it for is to organize my medium-large shuttles so I can find them to prepare demonstration "step outs" for a class that I will be teaching in April at the Finger Lakes Tatting Gathering. 

New Clover Bobbin Shuttles and Cases Review

So, want to hear what this die-hard post shuttle fan thinks of the new Clover bobbin shuttles?

They're fantastic!

I'm normally a bobbin shuttle's worst nightmare, since I tat with a very tight tension, and tend to give the shuttle thread a good jerk with each stitch. Many other brands of bobbin shuttles can't take the exertion and the bobbin slips. But, the bobbin in the new Clover shuttle stays put!

UPDATE February 5th, 2018: I've tatted with these shuttles for a few weeks now, and the bobbin is starting to slip. I really am a bobbin shuttle's worst nightmare! If you’re a very tight tatter, you may prefer Clover's post shuttles :)

Here's how it comes packaged:

So far, the color choices are white or brown. The shuttle comes with 2 bobbins and a stopper.

Here's a close-up look at the bobbin, which fits onto the end of the stopper for winding:

The bobbin has a hole to attach the end of your thread to.

The bobbin can hold up to 6 yards of size 20 thread (I measured). There's another handy use for the stopper:

While winding, thread can become all twisted and tangled. By putting the bobbin into the stopper, you can let the bobbin dangle to spin out the excess twist. Then, remove the bobbin to continue winding.

If you prefer to wind your bobbin on a sewing machine, there are washers included in the package to facilitate that, also.

Packages of spare bobbins are also available:

Just like their post shuttle counterparts, the Clover bobbin shuttles have a very nice point for doing joins (also useful for picking out mistakes).

The bobbin stays in place while tatting, yet turns easily with a push of the thumb to advance or retract thread.

More new products - storage cases! 

First, here's the Clover storage case for tatting shuttles:

It holds both small and large sizes of Clover post shuttles.

Next, here's the case for bobbin shuttles. It holds a lot of bobbins, with spaces for a few shuttles and stoppers. The tiny slots are a good place to store the washers.

These products are new to me, so I've only tried them out for a short time, but my impression so far is that they've got the high quality I've come to expect from Clover Needlecraft. I'll keep on playing!