A Tatting Press and Bag

For the last 2 days I've been working on something a little different that I just have to share with you.  Jenn has been teaching herself how to tat and came across a pattern for something called a "tatting press".  Now I must admit I had never heard of such a thing and was curious.  I went to the blog where the pattern was....here.....and fell in love with this little gadget.  She gives you a full pdf pattern with extremely good directions on how to make one of your own.  Here are the pics of it finished and then I'll explain how this works.

This is the top and it has two pockets.  The ribbon comes across the top of the pockets and holds the items inside them.  Neat huh!

This is the bottom where the ribbon is attached on top of the big pocket.  This can be used for scissors or needles.  The ribbon also crosses this pocket to hold the item inside.

This is the inside of the press.  What this is for is this:  when you are working on a tatting project, and you want to quit for awhile, you lay the tatting on the inside and your shuttle will fit in one of the outside pockets.  This keeps your tatting pressed flat and neat.

Now what I'm thinking is this.  Why couldn't you use this for cross stitch.  The pockets can hold your needles, scissors and such and the inside can hold your loose needles.  You could even lay the floss you are working with inside to keep it neat and out of harms way.

Then Jenn asked for a bag to hold everything and I came up with this.  It's a variation of my project bags but it stands up.  It's completely lined with an inside zippered pocket and has Warm and Natural cotton batting between the layers of cotton fabric.

I want to tell you about this fabric I've used.  I came across the striped at Joann's and bought a yard or two but one day I was down at Hobby Lobby and they had 2 other coordinating fabrics to match the stripes.  Needless to say, I came home with 2 yards of each.  I know Jenn loves teal and brown and this fabric has both and I also used this fabric to make the holder for her knitting needles.

Well that's about it.  This has kept me busy so now it's unto to finding something else to work on.  I know alot of stitchers get excited about the prospect of starting something new but I really don't.  I hate the process of finding a pattern I like....finding the fabric.....finding the flosses or silks.....ho hum I'm already tired.  I think I'll wait till tomorrow. :o)

Until the next time, have a Blessed Day,

Barbara