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Blocking is Magic
Okay, it's not magic, but sometimes it's really necessary! Margaret suggested blocking the rumpled mess I posted earlier. I didn't think even blocking would help, and ordinary blocking wouldn't. So...I did not do ordinary blocking. If blocked wet, most of the time cotton thread will stretch without breaking and enough pins will hold chains in unnaturally arched positions to shrink the size of some elements. Yeah, this thing had pins everywhere! I should have taken a picture of the blocking process. I started in the center, and as it stretched, I moved the pins out -- but there were still two boxes of pins in the outer round waiting for this thing to dry. It would not stretch enough in the center to accommodate the too-much-thread elements in the last couple of rounds. I'm wondering if a bit of a steam press will help, but probably won't bother finding out. After seeing it spread out, I don't think it's worth trying to figure out a pattern for the whole thing. I still think the center out to about the five ring arch is worth keeping, so maybe a pattern for that bit would be worth writing down.
Okay, it's not magic, but sometimes it's really necessary! Margaret suggested blocking the rumpled mess I posted earlier. I didn't think even blocking would help, and ordinary blocking wouldn't. So...I did not do ordinary blocking. If blocked wet, most of the time cotton thread will stretch without breaking and enough pins will hold chains in unnaturally arched positions to shrink the size of some elements. Yeah, this thing had pins everywhere! I should have taken a picture of the blocking process. I started in the center, and as it stretched, I moved the pins out -- but there were still two boxes of pins in the outer round waiting for this thing to dry. It would not stretch enough in the center to accommodate the too-much-thread elements in the last couple of rounds. I'm wondering if a bit of a steam press will help, but probably won't bother finding out. After seeing it spread out, I don't think it's worth trying to figure out a pattern for the whole thing. I still think the center out to about the five ring arch is worth keeping, so maybe a pattern for that bit would be worth writing down.
9 comments:
The whole thing is worth keeping! It's a terrific design! Maybe if you block each round as you go, it would be better. I often have to do that with doilies.
I love how the repeats alternate in the middle rounds, and how each round echoes elements of the previous round. I don't think I could ever design something so large and complex.
I'm so glad you decided to give it a chance!
It looks much better now, and I am glad you did block it as it is not ruffled now.
I do steam press my tatting but I don't leave the hot steam on too long as I don't want to burn the tatting.
It's a beautiful doily and please be proud of your work
Margaret
Ooohhh! I really like this!
Fox : )
I wish you had shown us the blocking process! This is a spectacular design, even if you stop it here!
It's beautiful, well worth blocking and showing off!
I think it's beautiful! Keep it! Maybe that shot of steam will help.
Looks very nice!! :)
I think its very pretty. I am new and often wonder if I am doing something wrong, but it sounds as though warping or ruffling is part of the process some times. Thank you for sharing.
You might want to steam press between two layers of thick towels. Be sure your doily is *just* the way you want it on the first towel (put the doily face down), cover with the 2nd towel, THEN press - don't rub the iron on the towel as if 'ironing,' let it sit a moment, lift, move to the next spot, let it sit....lift, move, and 'press.' If you're not satisfied with the shape after a quick press, the steam often will relax the cotton enough for you to re-shape, put it back on the towel, and give it another quick press. When finished, remove the top towel, let it sit and cool for a few moments, then carefully lift it off the towel. It should keep its shape. It's very pretty and *definitely* worth keeping.
Stephanie W
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