I noticed a thread on InTatters in regard to shuttles. Some people have a lot of them. Some people start out with a couple and then they seem to multiply like rabbits. Some people have hundreds of shuttles. There are times when you are making a project that you need pairs of shuttles for working different parts of a design so it's not that difficult for a serious tatter to require 6 or 8 shuttles.
I can see, when you are learning to tat that you need to try out different types of shuttles. You might love large shuttles, or you might have small hands that need a smaller shuttle. You might try out a post shuttle without a hook and then find that working with an attached hook is easier. Or you might use a shuttle with a hook and find that it gets caught in every stitch. So you try out a few varieties to see what you like.
If you fall in love with post style shuttles you will inevitably acquire a few more since pairs of them will be attached to projects and half full shuttles will require emptying. Bobbin style shuttle are emptied by popping them out and letting the thread unwind so fewer shuttles are required.
Some connoisseurs will want to have one of every kind, just because they are collectors. They will haunt antique stores and flea markets looking for that unique shuttle to round out their display.
Then there are the hoarders. They can't pass a rack of shuttles without buying one. Or 10. If there are shuttles available online, they need one in every colour. Decorated shuttles are bought for every occasion, in fact occasions are invented for excuses to buy more. There are shuttles all over the house. There are some by the comfy tatting chair and a few on the computer desk. Every craft bag a purse has some stuffed in it. There are some stuffed down behind the cushions and peeking out under pillows. There are boxes stuffed in cupboards full of them. Some are hiding out in drawers, some dangle by a thread from pockets. The cat chases others under the sofa, and the dog has left teeth marks in one or two. The hoarders never saw a shuttle they didn't like.
Better watch out, there might be a hoarder near you. Maybe it's time to go count your shuttles.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
LOL!! I so enjoyed reading your post :) I am not a shuttle hoarder yet..note the "yet" part of the sentence..but, I do enjoy buying vintage shuttles and any that are pretty as that is half the fun of tatting!!! :)
Oh, my! I have to laugh - you've discovered my 'secret.' I'm a shuttle hoarder. I have new ones still in the packages (just in case I can't find an empty shuttle when I need another one), shuttles from years back that the plastic pics have been used so often that they're worn down and not very useful, shuttles in every room.... yes, I am definitely a shuttle hoarder. Then again, I *need* so many shuttles, because I tend to be happiest when I have at least 3, if not more, projects 'in progress.'
StephanieW
Have you sent a spy camera into my house? There are shuttles everywhere. Most are utilitarian plastic Aero-style (covered with fancy papers -- I vowed never to tat with plain gray again), but I have a few fancy ones I keep just for home. I don't think I'm a hoarder, but I am acquisitive!
Love Marty's "acquisitive"! I think I'll go with that, too. I have a lot of shuttles because... well, lots of reasons, most of which you covered here :-) This topic is very popular right now if it's on Intatters, too, as I've been following a similar thread on FB Tatting Shuttle Addicts. Been seeing a lot of pretty shuttles that really make me drool!
Great post, Sharon!9252332 70
I am not your average tatter! I do not want more shuttles than I use... So I have about 12 LaCossette Aerlits and 8 Sunlits, for variety That’s it. If I don’t use a shuttle it gets gifted.
Same with thread. If I don’t like a thread it goes to a new home. Managed to keep things sort of simple.
Now tatting books and patterns... that is a whole other hook... : ))
I am definitely a shuttle hoarder, and a thread hoarder, and a pattern hoarder. I admit, I want it all! I keep telling myself that I'm accumulating all the supplies I need now, because I won't be able to afford them when I retire in two years!
I don't have a lot of shuttles, I have enough for my tatting, I have recently been given three which when my hand finally decides to get better I will be trying them.
I am a thread hoarder, my husband recently found the draw under the bed where they are kept, It will be a while before I can say I need some more thread.
I am a pattern and tatting book hoarder theres big file under the coffee table I know my husband is eyeing it up so I know one day it will be " do you need all those patterns".
Interesting piece I am going to send a link to my grand daughter for her to read.
Margaret
thx for your post!
I am not a hoarder but I am still trying to find one I can use all the time. I didn't realise that when you tat you needed more than one set until this last year (only been tatting about 3 yrs) because what do you do with the remains of a thread???
yes, I'm a shuttle hoarder and proud of it! lol :) I was counting mine the other days and stopped at 114, there are more but didn't realize I had that many.
I really enjoyed your post. It really got me to thinking. Hmmmm.... I suppose I'm a hoarder in the making. I love the feel of a vintage shuttle. The history of it. The idea that someone else used it lovingly and made beautiful things with it. They're all awesome. I don't own too many new shuttles, but I imagine that won't last long ... LOL
Loooved this article!I am only the "serious" 12 shuttles owner. And they manage, somehow, to be around my couch corner (left, right, in front of me).
It will evolve into the last stage, I know it. I am protected (still) by the fact that I like the sterling old ones... But if I would find here a store or an antiquities shop, I know would fall for the first shuttle I would find (plastic, bone, brass, sterling, you name it), as long it is not Prym-like or Clover.
I love shuttles too and when I can't buy one I will make them too. I sell them and give them away too because I don't want to shuttle alone. I lie too my self and say I need this one. :)
I found I like the cheap plastic ones so I order them by the dozens from ebay. Lol and I just started shuttle tatting a few months ago. I also have 2 vintage shuttles .
We have so many because we just keep buying more thread and then we have to try out the thread to see if it is the one or two or three, etc..., that we will use for each pattern we have and want to work on , Lol :)
Post a Comment