23 May 2011

Joining to clasps and 'things'


OK, as promised a week or so ago.  Sorry it took so long but other things in my life suddenly got in the way.

I must first of all issue a disclaimer on this as it's only the way I do it and it's not written in any tatting 'bible' as THE ONLY way!!!  I do it this way for three reasons.  
Firstly it gives a very secure join and the chance of it falling apart is extremely rare.  If a single join is made there is always the risk that the metal on some findings (particularly clasps) will eventually 'eat' and 'gnaw' it's way through the threads.  
The second reason is that it keeps the piece being worked on the same 'plane' as the finding.  The earring or whatever doesn't then swing around at right angles to the finding which is important to me for the final piece to hang as I want.
A third advantage is no sewing (which is again insecure) when the item is finished.
OK, here's the link to the page I've put on my web site and here is the description etc here!!!


When you get to the joining place just do a normal picot join. Pull the thread up through the finding.

Next take the shuttle thread through the loop.
Now make one half double stitch – first half.
Repeat the join as before.


Finally follow that with one half double stitch – second half. This join does not affect the pattern count.


Continue the pattern.


Almost too easy, isn't it?

6 comments:

Margarets designer cards said...

Thank you for sharing this with us, I can see your way would be better and the finding would not eat through the thread so easy.
Margaret

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

That is almost too easy! Thanks for sharing your technique, Jane!

Eliz Davis aka Tatknot said...

Thanks so much, Jane. I like the increased security your method offers.

Bree at "Bree's Way" said...

Very nice Jane, ty for sharing. much more secure... I can see the great advantage over a single thread getting worn over time, and falling off or breaking. ty very much. :)

Marilee Rockley said...

Very cool and easy! I'm going to share this with my tatting students.

Ridgewoman said...

Well, talk about timing! Just as I arrived at that part where I need to add the clasp to the necklace; here it is. A way to do it that is better than sewing (which by now every one knows is a naughty word to me). I’ll give this a go and report back. If I can do it, ANYONE can (as you well know).
I also did the split change the way you suggested so that it is nicely anchored and looks a bit like a box chain now...Thanks mate! xxxx P

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