IOLI 2026 Conference

I should have written about the IOLI (International Organization of Lacers, Inc.) conference sooner, since registration has been open already.  Some of the bobbin lace classes sold out right away, but there are still spots open in all the tatting classes.

The event will be July 19 - 24 in Durham, NC.  For full information, click Here.

I am teaching 2 full-time classes, meeting for 3 hours a day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.  Yes, that's a lot of classes.  For a smaller dose of tatting, my friend Gretchen Miller is teaching a Wednesday-only class making cute jewelry by adding tatting to her handmade enameled metal charms.

If you are in the neighborhood, the event will be open to the public on Wednesday and you would be able to visit the displays and vending room for free.

 

One of my classes is titled "Victorians Revisited," but is all new original patterns that use old techniques.  You probably know I'm obsessed with tatting history.

The other class is "Blocks and Buttons," combining block tatting with buttons.  Historic techniques, block tatting, buttons:  I've tried to include most of my favorite things.

Back by Popular Demand - Gloria's Maltese Bookmark

 

Lately, I've started getting requests for "Gloria' Maltese Bookmark,"  named for a friend I used to see at Palmetto's Tat Days.  The pattern used to be on my old website that went away.  (Remember way back when internet providers would give you a free webpage if you signed up for their service?)

Now I use Keep&Share to store pattern files for download.  At my membership level, I have a limited amount of data available, so I did not include all the old website patterns on my Free Pattern Page here on the blog.  By my calculations, I could squeeze in another file, so I cobbled together the original pattern and a tutorial that was supposed to go with it.  I have not tried to edit or update it, so I hope it makes sense.  Click on Free Patterns above and then scroll down.

Finger Lakes Tatting Conference Registration Still Open

 One of my resolutions was to make my blog active again. Yeah, I know you've heard that before...

I have 3 tatting teaching gigs lined up this year.   The first coming up is the Finger Lakes Tatting Group Seminar, on April 10-12.  Look for information here:  http://www.fingerlakestatting.com/  Registration is open through March 31, and they say after that contact them to see if they can fit you in.  

It may not be the biggest, but I think it is the longest running tatting conference in America.  In the old days, we called it "Lodi" for short, since that's the town where they met, but now they have moved to the community hall in nearby Burdett, NY.  The Finger Lakes area is beautiful countryside.  The folks at the conference are so friendly it feels like visiting family for me.

They start off with an informal get-together at Karey's shop Friday afternoon and then there's a pot-luck dinner that night at the venue.  Your registration includes 2 classes each on Saturday and Sunday, with breakfast munchies and home-cooked lunch both days.  There's a dinner with a speaker for a small extra fee Saturday night.  Vendors: Tatting Corner, Karey, and maybe others will have threads, books, and supplies for sale.  There will be raffles and an auction.  I always have a wonderful time.

This snowflake is the class I am teaching, based on a really old technique.  Look closely at the unusual swirly picots.

This bee is a class Karey is teaching.  Isn't it cute?  Everyone gets a folder with all the class patterns, so I'm looking forward to making it later since I can't attend the class.

I'm hoping some of you can join us there.