Home made shuttles?

[gaia-vedai.livejournal.com]

Hello there!
Been watching this place for some time but never got to comment...

I've wanted to know.. Is there a way to make shuttles out of things at home?
I live in a small country and there is very little art supplies stores in here - I doubt they even know what tatting is - and I would really like to start tatting at home. Is there a way for me to actually do it without ordering from the net? is there a way I could build my own shuttles?

Thanks in advance:)

Comments

[piroshki.livejournal.com]

Hi there!

Historically, all a shuttle did was hold the thread for you. A spool will work just as well, provided you can keep it from unraveling when if you drop it.

I have carved some out of wood, also cut down pieces of shell or bone. When at a complete loss, a sewing machine bobbin with a child's plastic ring over it to keep the thread from unrolling has served as well.

If you are joining small rings or picots, a toothpick, hairpin, needle, crochet hook, or even a mechanical pencil will work.

Hope that helps!

[ellemir.livejournal.com]

I've quite happily taught people to tat with thicker threads using a stick shuttle of the type used in weaving. One of these can be improvised by cutting the shape out of sturdy card. http://www.schachtspindle.com/instructions/weaving/flip_manual.htm

shows the general shape.Although there are many other forms of flat shuttle you can find to try.

This also allows you to use any thickness of smooth cord to tat. Just scale the shape up or down appropriately. Simple motifs look very funky made with cord or garden string, and it is easy to demonstrate the way a half stitch is formed and transferred using these much thicker threads.

[chamois-shimi.livejournal.com]

I'm still learning, and am finding it easier to take one of those little embroidery floss "bobbins" (just a piece of tagboard/heavy paper with the thread wrapped around it) folded in half as my shuttle/bobbin combo. Once I've moved on to bigger and better things I know I'll want something that can hold more thread but for right now it's perfect - easy to load, easy to hold, easy to manipulate.