Since the death of Mary Konior two weeks ago I've thought a lot about this lady. I never knew her or anything about her but her books were published at a time when I needed to tat something different. Most of my books and leaflets up until then had been the old Coats and Penelope ones with just doilies, hanky edgings and antimacassars in. I think of her with the following memories of how and when I bought the books.
Back in 1985 I bought her first book just after publication. I can't fathom where I got it from as there's no sticker in it to say. It cost me the sum of £6.50 though and it has my married name in it so I was 42 when I bought it. This would have been at a time when I was happily married with teenage daughters and a full time teaching job. The book is A Pattern Book of Tatting.
Her next book came out in 1988 and is the one called Tatting in Lace for which I paid £8.50. Interestingly this hasn't got my signature in it but the following year when the next book came out I have signed it again with my married name. That book (Tatting Patterns) again cost £8.50. I can even track the time of year I bought this book as my ex 'went walkies' in November that year with my friend. So I must've bought it earlier on if I was using his name to sign with!!! I ditched 'that' surname shortly after he went and returned to my proper name!!!
The final book was published in 1992 and is called Tatting with Visual Patterns. I must've REALLY valued this lady as I was having a tough time around then financially so to pay out £14.99 on a tatting book was a BIG DEAL. It must've been an 'egg on toast' week that week!! It was a real inspiration to carry on tatting.
Which is my favourite of the four? ALL of them. I've enjoyed many hours not only making up the patterns but also just browsing these wonderful books.
Thank you, Mary for being in my life when I needed you most. We never met and never will but I feel I know you through your work.