Thursday, April 2, 2009

Francesca, Finally

"Francesca" from Tatted Doilies by Iris Niebach has been a real challenge for me. I've been trying to work this pattern for very nearly five years. Ummmm...not constantly, mind. Every time I've started it I've gotten hopelessly lost somewhere before completing the second repeat. I've unpicked and re-tatted and decided that was wrong, too. I've unpicked and broken the threads. Finally, I've cut the bit off and chucked it out in disgust at my absolute inability to follow instructions. This time, I decided to outsmart myself. I scanned the pattern diagram then, using my PaintShop program layered the bit of the diagram over and over until I had a larger diagram showing the progression through three repeats. That seemed to work (not that this doily didn't undergo an ample share of retro-tatting) I managed to get clear around and actually finish! I used some of my new Lizbeth size 20 to work this pattern. The color is "Caribbean" and is actually much more defined purple, navy, and turquoise than I can get my scanner (or my limited ability with color brightening) to show. I probably should have dampened this one and stretched it out on the starch board before showing it -- but I just trundled it off to the ironing board for a quick press. It can go on the starch board later.

8 comments:

Stephanie said...

I've quit that pattern twice now. One of these days, I'll try it again. iLove that thread, though!

Unknown said...

There's only one problem here that I can see with this doily:

The photo needs to be LARGER to take in all it's fabulous beauty!!! Nice work, Marty, as usual! Luckily, clicking on the photo brings up a nice BIG shot of it! Love it!!! :)

Valerie said...

An absolutely gorgeous doily in those colours! Can't see the troubled spots... LOL

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Congratulations! The doily is beautiful! There's just something about Iris's doilies that make me want to keep on trying. It seems like her patterns have the same affect on you!

mamatejedora said...

Congratulations Marty! The doily is beautiful!!!!!!

Gina said...

The color worked out beautifully in the pattern. Worth the five years!

Tatskool said...

I have just finished this doiley and will be blogging about it soon, I agree with all you have said, it has been the trial of my tatting life... but the result is stunning.
Well done, your result is fabulous..i should have used a variegated thread!...next time but will there be a next time!

tattrldy said...

Beautiful! Love the colors. I'm glad you kept with it, the result is wonderful!