Recreating Tatting from 1790

[@clwest3538]

When I was 14 or 15 my grandmother (dad's mom) taught me to tat this pattern (with closed bottoms of circle) - she called it 'hens & chicks' and said it was used as a basic edging 'for all sorts of things'; she said her grandmother taught her (my grandma was born in 1899) - she gave me her shuttle when I was 16. Mom's side - her grandmother (father's side) taught her to tat using a matchstick as a shuttle with crochet hook to join (like you did) - when my great grandma (Mom's mom's side) passed away I was given her shuttle because I was the only one in the family who tatted. Three of our families tatted - and I am teaching my granddaughters to tat. Nice to see so many others involved in something I thought was a fading art! I spent hours to recreate a bonnet and booties for my baby (he is now 44) and made bonbon basket as a gift for my sister (she still has it!) Enjoyed your video (even if it is older).

[@dragonslayer_eyre2315]

I love to think the lady in the portrait were doing some lace for her grandchildrens clothes! 😍 Dosn't that thought just make you feel closer to the people who lived before us? Such inspiring work! I look forward to look at all your historical lace recreation-videos!

[@kitsidale]

Goodness, I’m so glad I watched this. I’ve had a shuttle for about 20 years and had no idea what it was, and had forgotten about it, so happy that little puzzle has been solved x

[@cyndifoore7743]

very interesting, I don’t think I ever saw this painting. It’s also interesting how you tat, very different from how I shuttle tat.

[@stevezytveld6585]

I've inherited a piece of my Great Granny's tatting from the turn of the last century. Thank you So much for this. I've been wanting to recreate her work for quite some time now. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@tammi0on0pills]

oh wow I've only seen photos of tatting and this is my first time actually seeing someone making it! I am shocked at how fast you're going and how incredibly delicate the result is! It looks amazing!

[@BryceHistorically]

Chany Kim Thank you, so much! There will be lots more to come. 😊

[@sharontabor7718]

wow.... I've never seen anyone tat using this method of wrapping thread around the right hand. I tat with a method that doesn't require arm action and my left and right hand are close to each other.

[@SycoraxPraxidice]

This was _wonderful_; I’m so glad I saw your comment and came over! I’ve always viewed tatting as slightly arcane and more than a little mysterious, so it’s nice to see it explained so clearly and with such great context.

[@BryceHistorically]

Ariel Thank you so much. It was a fun little recreation to make, and I’m really glad you enjoyed it. I’ve been sewing and making lace since I was a little kid, and it’s going to be fun to have a new venue to share it. (Spoilers: bobbin lace, my favorite, will be coming along before too long, as well!)

[@tinadotter7577]

I've always had tatting shuttles in my sewing box's since my grandmother gave me one. Although, I've never really dug into learning it. I do crochet allot and prefer working in thread rather than yarns. I'm finally learning bobbin lace, so this would be something new to learn.... for me.... Love your vids, Thank you for making learning such a joy. Clear and precise tutelage. Much appreciated.

[@auntypolly7541]

I love this, what a lovely painting and I am amazed at the way you interpreted the pattern. Brilliant. I am just starting my lace making and tatting journey and can't wait to try it out. Thank you for sharing.

[@jennifertalwar6099]

Beautiful

[@fobitbswo]

i saw a post from you on instagram about bobbin lace and i may have gotten lost in your channel! You’re so concise and fun to watch!

[@justcasey6292]

I know this is an old video but could it also be a split ring?...I do this as a demonstration at 18 th century events and would love to have art to show like this

[@ahhhlindsanityyy]

that chatelaine! loved the little "cheers" at the end

[@stoker1931jane]

This is just wonderful. My "elderly" Mom [1934-2017] had this unknown tool ("shuttle") I her sewing box. And I never asked and I can't recall if she never told me what it was used for, which is strange. I think it must have been from her "elderly" Mother [1889-1964], my Grandmother, that I never got to know. And my Mom probably never learned or used the shuttle to make "lace". I had never heard of Tatting before. Here in the Netherlands it's called Frivolité. Which is a French word. French was spoken by the Aristocracy and High Society here in The Netherlands well into the 1900s. So many words are still used in our Dutch language. Greetings👋🏻 from 🇳🇱 Holland.

[@BryceHistorically]

Hello in Holland! How wonderful to have a family heirloom shuttle, and be able to hold that piece of history. Do you use it? 😊

[@stoker1931jane]

Hi dear@@BryceHistorically, well I first have to find if that Tatting shuttle ia amongst the things I was able to rescue from my Parents house, before my only & older brother took almost everything and sold it.

[@BryceHistorically]

Ugh. Good luck.

[@stoker1931jane]

The married couple in that painting by Wybrand Hendriks of Jacob Feitama [64] & his wife Elizabeth de Haan [55], were NOT as relaxed and laid back as they might come across. On the leftside of this portrait 1 of their daughters, Maria, was painted. When Maria married an Officer against the express wishes of her Parents she was totally painted over. #FamilyDramaPhotoshop1790Style

[@BryceHistorically]

Yeah, I remember reading that. I didn’t mean that she was relaxed, or looked like she had a kickback personality. I meant that in the painting, she was apparently not very concerned about coming across as poised and regal. She’s kind of slouching and seems like she’s just putting up with the fact that she has to get her portrait painted, and not afraid to show it. Probably why she brought something to do while it was happening (was having her work on her hands a sign of boredom or appearing industriously fashionable?). 😊 I get the impression from both of their expressions that the portrait was the husband’s idea and she was just going along with it. I do think it’s funny when people wear their emotions so blatantly. I could be totally wrong, and maybe it’s just her “...resting face,” haha.

[@stoker1931jane]

@@BryceHistorically , totally agree, and I got what you were saying. She has a "relaxed" vibe about her, with the way she sits. In comparison to many of the Family portraits that were being painted at that time. Where everybody often sits ramrod straight as if they are tied to a plank. I love that you used this particular painting because of it showing a High Society lady (her husband was a rich Amsterdam merchant) actively Tatting. That's so cool. I now have to go look if my Mom/Grandmother's mysterious tool/shuttle is still in my possession....I truly hope so✌🏻.

[@heatherbretsch8438]

Ok this seems like witchcraft lol! I've never heard of this kind of lace making before and am super intrigued! It's really lovely and delicate looking!

[@BryceHistorically]

Give it a try! Tatting is fun, gratifying, meditative, and very pretty! I have “how to” videos, and it’s a pretty inexpensive craft to start. 😊

[@evarodriguezalequin5705]

I am learning how to tat from you tube and information from books. It's a little difficult until I get used to it. I been trying to find a teacher, but I live in Puerto Rico and it has not been easy. I was a member from the Boriquen Lacers and most of its founders has passed away, the ones who knew tatting. I see you tat fast and I find myself like a child learning how to walk and eat. Eventually I'll get it right. I had plan of going to USA in the summer and at the same time find someone to teach me, but with the covid situation I couldn't travel. I'm just hoping that I could eventually find someone.

[@BryceHistorically]

Finding a teacher can be difficult. Until you do, have you seen my beginning tatting videos? I made a series which starts at the very beginning with how to make the knot, and then how to make picots and chains. They might be able to help you get started until you find a teacher.

[@evarodriguezalequin5705]

Bryce Adams thank you.

[@mostly_minerals]

I was looking into lace making supplies in Sweden. I just found out that Tatting is called "frivolitet" in Swedish - as in frivolous? Just some trivia I thought you would appreciate.

[@stoker1931jane]

That so interesting. Here in The Netherlands it's called something very similar: Frivolité, which is one of the many French words that through the use of French in High Society stuck around in our Dutch language. And indeed has to do with a "frivolous" pastime for women. It's now seen as very archaic of even forgotten hobby. Just like Bobbing Lace ("Kant Klossen") Fall under endangered skills. And I don't think many Dutch citizens, like me, even would know what Frivolité aka Tatting is.

[@louisejeffries7155]

I’m curious what is regarded as standard tatting thread size I love that you took the time to recreate that’s inspiring to see Thank you

[@BryceHistorically]

Thank you! You know, I’m not sure what would be regarded as standard. Especially since sizing varies from company to company anyway. I always found the “DMC 80” cotton as a great middle-ground size, but unfortunately it was discontinued a while ago.

[@ragnkja]

@@BryceHistorically DMC cordonnet special still comes in size No 80, as does their fil a dentelle.

[@ColleenMarble]

Thanks for your very clear and instructive tatting videos! I'm looking forward to learning this skill. My mother-in-law gave me HER mother-in-law's tatting shuttle. Her MIL was born in 1898, so the shuttle is quite old. I can't wait to try it out!

[@brownsugarcrochet455]

Love this! Thank You!

[@Matt-cm3pl]

Too bad she was not painted looking at her watch. Love how she sits with her knees apart.

[@carolhaycock7419]

Oh how beautiful, and you really have made it look like I could learn how to do this. I crochet and years ago I got tatting shuttles in an auction lot, never found anyone who knew how. I am going to try to find a beginning How to tat do you have such a series? I just love your work.

[@BryceHistorically]

I do, as it happens...

[@witatter1]

The ring of tatters has excellent resources for tatting. I hope you’ve learned how to tat!

[@JaleaWard]

Love it! I shall wait (im)patiently for more :)

[@lindamaxsonsheets8295]

Thank you a million times

[@myrany8407]

I don't remember what video it was on where I asked if you had any idea how to fix dropping shuttles because they just squirted out of my fingers. You asked me to let you know if I ever got it solved. Turns out it was not slippery shuttles. It was tiny hands/short thumbs. As soon as I tried a smaller shuttle no more problems at all and I am off to the race tatting up a storm after years of failures. 2.5 inch or smaller shuttles I can use. Anything bigger and I quite literally can't reach over on the second half of the stitch unless I hold it at the very tip of the shuttle making it slide right out of my hand. Maybe it will help another of your students some day.

[@BryceHistorically]

Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know 😊

[@stacymoore9122]

Oh my gosh! I love this painting. I have yet to learn tatting myself but plan on adding it to my list of can does. Could you possibly do a closeup on how to do this basic tatting? I would also love to see a series from you on basic tatting! Keep up with the wonderful content!

[@BryceHistorically]

Stacy Moore Oh yes! I actually had a basic how-to video almost finished when my external hard drive crashed. So, I proceeded with this one instead. But absolutely I will have a basic through intermediate at least for tatting and bobbin lace. 😊 I’m so glad you are enjoying them!

[@58Kym]

Is it just me or is her head a little oversized for her shoulders? She reminds me of the queen of hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

[@fionafiona1146]

The hair contributes

[@stoker1931jane]

The Corday cap she is wearing on top of her fluffy hair style even adds more width.✌🏻

[@bettablue2660]

The shuttle is most likely ivory.

[@lindapesnell5723]

❤️Thank You ❤️

[@ThePhantazmya]

I wonder if that was mignonette tatting and what she was going to make with it...

[@RocLobo358]

I don't understand why you slightly wrap the string on your shuttling hand (aka "away from you/towards you"). I don't do that and my work comes out fine. Is there a benefit to doing that? I tried it but without understand the reason I'm just twisting string

[@BryceHistorically]

Mostly, it’s over exaggeration of movements for teaching purposes. Once a student gets comfortable, the movements shrink to almost nothing. 😊

[@sheriking4041]

Thank you

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Did they use split rings and split chains then, or was everything a tie-off, snip, and restart?

[@BryceHistorically]

Tatting was made to create lengths of rings, chain, or a combination of both. Later, when tatting had fully developed into its modern form, creating separate motifs and sewing them together or connecting using picots was a way to make larger pieces, but especially early on, tatting and knotting produced lengths.

[@sharontabor7718]

@@heidilynnm6522 Where is your citation for Queen Anne being a tatter?

[@Woolmouse]

What is regular tanning size thread size?

[@BryceHistorically]

Generally speaking, the "normal" or "regular" sized tatting cotton is DMC's 80 or equivalent. 😊 You can, of course, tat with pretty much any size that suits your fancy.

[@danielpearl5153]

The lace at her wrists looks like Valenciennes.

[@BryceHistorically]

Quite possibly. It looks incredibly light and sheer.

[@heroandflor]

I love this!! I am so intrigued by the history of tatting, and how it just went from knotting to tatting, how? when? why? it's such a mystery xD Also her shuttle could be made out of ivory, maybe??

[@BryceHistorically]

It’s certainly possible. Ivory has a very distinct pattern, and it looks more plain to me, but the artist may have just glossed over that detail. It’s hard when reading an artist’s interpretation because you never know how familiar or interested he or she was in certain details. 😊 I wish we could ask her.

[@shooshatowers8059]

Probably ivory.

[@lisajarvis3820]

😮😎

[@33goodwitch]

Like #100 :)

[@shaylagrubelnik]

what the actual.... umm i didnt know this was a thing... never seen it never heard of it... its kinda blowing my mind just a bit. so i guess i just found a new potentially infuriating adventure....off to impulse buy a shuttle and find slower tutorials... thanks, i think

[@BryceHistorically]

Haha, thank you? This video was a lot of fun to make. It’s focus is kind of more of a demonstration than a tutorial, but I do have a little series on my channel that is very beginner friendly, where I go through how to make the knots slowly with a beginning student in mind, if that helps. Welcome to the world of tatting!