Tatted Lace Watch

  About six years ago a friend requested that I learn how to tat using some books and materials she had. I gave it a try, and spent quite some time studying it. I was able to figure out needle tatting but something just didn't click with shuttle tatting, so I gave all her supplies back and didn't try again until recently.

  Last December, I decided I needed to make at least one more attempt at shuttle tatting, and bought this Craftsy class. I found the class hard to watch, but I recommend it anyway... the concepts are clearly demonstrated and I finally learned how to shuttle tat! Once I'd had a bit of practice I decided to tat a gift for my mother-in-love's birthday.

  I used a free bookmark pattern to tat this watch, and left off the tassel. I also joined the chains in the center across the length of the pattern. I was worried the whole way through that it would be too small, delighted when it fit my wrist perfectly, and terribly disappointed when it was too big for my mother-in-love! If I'd taken out one repeat it probably would have been perfect.

  I used Lizbeth size 10 thread in charcoal for this one. It seems like the perfect weight for this application... I think even size 20 would be too delicate for a watch.

  I used these bracelet findings as the fastener, and used these jump rings to attach them.

  I dismantled an inexpensive watch and attached that using four more jump rings... it isn't the most elegant attachment but I wanted it to be easily removable if the watch broke.

  Here's how it looks from the back:

  I wanted the presentation to match the gift, so I made a small box from chipboard and packaging paper and spray-painted it with metallic paint:

  And for the inside, I sewed a cover for a folded piece of batting, and fastened the watch around that.

  I really love this one! And I am so happy that can finally shuttle tat! I just finished some simple trim for the sleeves of a baby gown that I have yet to sew, and I have other ideas churning that I want to make time for. It's perfect for things like waiting at doctor's offices... even more so than knitting, because it's smaller. Basically what I'm saying is that I'm enamored and I want to tat all the things now. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by,