Some Tatting History
Tatting is an old form of lace making that dates back hundreds of years and has been practiced in one form or another in many countries. There has been a recent resurgence in popularity of this craft, mostly on the Internet, because it is an international art. The French call it Frivolitee, the German call it Schiffchenspitze or Occhi, the Italian call it Chiacchierino. There are also many talented tatters in Japan. Tatting was sometimes called poor man's lace, being an economical representation of the finer laces made and worn at Royal Court. Real lace required a pillow, pins, bobbins, needle and thread, and a net foundation. Tatting requires only the hand, with the stitches formed over the fingers using a shuttle, or over needles. Tatting is often confused with crochet, as they are similar in appearance. Tatting is a row of knots that slide on a core of internal thread that are then formed into rings and chains. Crochet forms new stitches hooked onto previous ones in intersecting loops. Tatting began hundreds of years ago and the way it is practiced has changed dramatically over the years. The end result of tatting, however, is a beautiful look of rings and loops and chains laid together in a graceful manner. (References from Tatting Techniques & History by Elgiva Nicholls) | Some Quilling History
Quilling is an old art like tatting. Paper rolling, paper scrolling, scrolling, filigree, mosaic, and quilling are all names which have been given to this craft during its long history. Some sources suggest that it was practiced in Ancient Egypt. Its popularity has fluctuated. Work of high quality was achieved by French and Italian nuns in the 16th and 17th centuries, genteel ladies in the Stuart period, ladies of leisure in the Georgian and Regency periods and it is currently enjoying a modern revival. It also spread to North Amercia with the settlers. Nuns on the continent decorated reliquaries and holy pictures, adding gilding and much ornamentation. The gilded edges of Bible pages were carefully cut off to acquire the thin strips of paper needed to create the intricate designs. The ecclesiastical connection was maintained when the art spread to England with the development of paper, though vellum and parchment were also used. Poorer churches produced religious pictures with rolled decoration. When gilded or silvered, it was difficult to distinguish it from real gold or silver filigree work. Many museums have examples of antique work. More pieces are being located all the time and research is continuing. It can be seen that this craft has a long and interesting history. (References taken from various Internet articles) |
