Tatting News

The Ring's stand at the NEC, before the doors opened.
Left-to-right: Elaine Scott and Sharon Curtis.
Behind the camera: Helen Stammers

We returned to the NEC, at the Sewing, Fashion & Embroidery show, for 4 days in March 2023. At the stand, we were kept very busy indeed - scarcely any time to chat between ourselves, but we had many lovely conversations with people expressing an interest in tatting. There were several tatting demonstrations, and the "Learn to Tat" kits practically flew off the shelves!!

If you're a member of the Ring, please do consider volunteering to help us at one of the exhibitions we demonstrate at. You don't necessarily have to demonstrate tatting, even just chatting about the lovely craft of tatting is very helpful. You can volunteer by contacting our Exhibitions Secretary, at exhibitions@ringoftatters.org.uk.

The Ring's stand at the Fenland Fair.
Charlotte Cane, Natalie Hodgson, Christine Burnet and Clare Tupman

We had a good day at the Makit Fenland Fair, where plenty of lace-themed chatting was had by all.

If you're a member of the Ring, please do consider volunteering to help us at one of the exhibitions we demonstrate at. You don't necessarily have to demonstrate tatting, even just chatting about the lovely craft of tatting is very helpful. We are going to be at the Makit Fenland Fair in the Autumn again this year, on 5th October 2024. You can volunteer by contacting our Exhibitions Secretary, at exhibitions@ringoftatters.org.uk.

The position of newsletter editor is vacant, and anyone interested in helping with the newsletter should apply to the Ring of Tatters chair Brenda Rewhorn (chairman@ringoftatters.org.uk).

The Ring's stand at the NEC.
Left-to-right: Karen Smith, Yvonne Walton and Sharon Curtis

We returned to the NEC, at the Sewing, Fashion & Embroidery show, 16th-19th March 2023. There were plenty of people there without it being too crowded, and we were kept very busy talking to people about the tatted lace on display - in particular, the Havatat's Chess project with tatted chess pieces and tatted squares was a huge talking point.

One of the Janome ladies on the stall opposite kindly took our photo: they'd been watching us tatting away and chatting while we did so, and were puzzled about how we could be constructing this amazing intricate lace while talking at the same time!

The Ring's stand at the ExCeL crafts event.
Left-to-right: Ching Smith, Clare Tupman and Charlotte Cane

The Ring of Tatters were at the Creative Crafts exhibition at the ExCeL centre in London at the beginning of April, and we had a very busy two days! We spoke to lots of crafty people, did a lot of chatting and demonstrating tatting, and sold out of all our beginners' kits. These are now available for sale.

Charlotte Cane, who was our Exhibitions Coordinator, had to resign from the committee as she was elected at the July 2024 general election to represent the constituency of Ely and East Cambridgeshire. Our congratulations to Charlotte!

Judith Connors was nominated for a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contributions to the Creative Arts, particularly as a tatter and lace maker. Judith was a founder of the Queensland Tatters and became a member of the Ring of Tatters, contributing several articles to the newsletter. Judith Connors received her award in Brisbane on 14th September 2021 (see photo below).

- courtesy of Ruth Willmott

Gary Houtz, one of the shuttle brothers, passed away peacefully in December 2020, due to COVID-19. He will be greatly missed, not just by Randy and his family, but throughout the tatting world. He had been tatting since 1974 and together with his brother, did a lot to popularise the SCMR (Self-Closing Mock Ring) technique.