I consider lace to be one of the prettiest imitations ever made of the fantasy of nature; lace always evokes for me those incomparable designs which the branches and leaves of trees embroider across the sky, and I do not think that any invention of the human spirit could have a more graceful or precise origin.
Coco Chanel, April 29, 1939

Learn Tatting
J & P Coats rep 1987
8vo booklet 30pp VG++ 55 gms
(Order reference 7247).

Coats Publications Book No. 1088 - Learn Tatting
J & P Coats rep 1987
8vo stapled softback 31pp VG++ 50 gms
(Order reference 10876).

Tatting in Coats Mercer-Crochet
Coats 1963
8vo stapled booklet 31pp, min wr to cvrs o/w VG+ 65 gms
(Order reference 5738).

Time for Tatting
Coats 1962
8vo stapled booklet, sl wr + crsing to cvrs o/w VG+ 65 gms
(Order reference 5741).

Austin, Catherine: A New Twist on Tatting - more than 100 glorious designs
Sterling 1993
4to F/VG++ 695 gms
(Order reference 13837).

The book is an established classic in its field. It was published originally in 1907 to meet an earlier revival of interest in hand~made lace, when written material on the subject was much scarcer than today.

After introductory chapters on the subject in general, the book goes on to describe the development of the art over many centuries and throughout Europe, from Russia to Ireland. The many illustrations are an integral part of the narrative; they not only show the detailed points of technique, but also include many contemporary portraits in which elaborate lace is seen in context as part of the costume of the period.

A book of great interest to the general reader, it will be an inspiration to the adventurous needleperson, and equally a fascinating and invaluable source book for the collector and the discriminating visitor to the stately home and museum.

She clarifies and consolidates the basic techniques of this traditionally English Craft and explains the use of gimp threads and grounds. One feature of the book is the inclusion of instructions for the construction and working of corners for edgings, and there is a full description of the methods of making prickings to a specific shape and working the lace.

Advice is given on the working of elaborate patterns, with 16 different fillings, many not seen in print before. There are 97 prickings ready for use and a further 36 draft patterns that can be extended to edgings or adapted for a particular purpose. There are almost 200 further illustrations; diagrams to aid the working processes, and photographs to illustrate this beautiful lace. This book is the first of its kind, and will prove invaluable to all those with a real interest in working lace.

She clarifies and consolidates the basic techniques of this traditionally English Craft and explains the use of gimp threads and grounds. One feature of the book is the inclusion of instructions for the construction and working of corners for edgings, and there is a full description of the methods of making prickings to a specific shape and working the lace.

Advice is given on the working of elaborate patterns, with 16 different fillings, many not seen in print before. There are 97 prickings ready for use and a further 36 draft patterns that can be extended to edgings or adapted for a particular purpose. There are almost 200 further illustrations; diagrams to aid the working processes, and photographs to illustrate this beautiful lace. This book is the first of its kind, and will prove invaluable to all those with a real interest in working lace.

‘Modern’ does not, however, mean futuristic or impressionist. The lacemaker will still instantly recognise the old designs such as Bruges, Bucks Point and Torchon, but techniques have been simplified wherever relevant, to adapt them to modern materials and scale of work. The introduction of colour to lacemaking and different threads that are machine washable, are important innovations, as are the ideas for lace pictures, paperweights, lampshades, bookmarks and three~dimensional models.

There are introductory chapters on equipment and the stitches, techniques and fillings used in the patterns, so that a relative novice can attempt a number of them. But this book is specifically intended for the lacemaker who has already mastered these basic processes and is ready to experiment with them. The patterns are lavishly illustrated with working diagrams, prickings that are ready to trace from the page, and black and white and colour photographs of the finished articles.

‘Modern’ does not, however, mean futuristic or impressionist. The lacemaker will still instantly recognise the old designs such as Bruges, Bucks Point and Torchon, but techniques have been simplified wherever relevant, to adapt them to modern materials and scale of work. The introduction of colour to lacemaking and different threads that are machine washable, are important innovations, as are the ideas for lace pictures, paperweights, lampshades, bookmarks and three~dimensional models.

There are introductory chapters on equipment and the stitches, techniques and fillings used in the patterns, so that a relative novice can attempt a number of them. But this book is specifically intended for the lacemaker who has already mastered these basic processes and is ready to experiment with them. The patterns are lavishly illustrated with working diagrams, prickings that are ready to trace from the page, and black and white and colour photographs of the finished articles.