Sewing, tatting, and more by Nancy Tracy
My award-winning quilt!
This was my entry for the 2008 Hoffman Challenge. I was very excited to learn that I had won “Best First-Time Entry” in the pieced category!! Read more about it in the gallery.
Tatting
Tatting comprises a series of double-hitch knots we call double-stitches arranged in rings and chains, and ornamented with picots and sometimes beads. It is worked using either a tatting shuttle or tatting needle using tightly-twisted threads. Go to the tatting pages for free tatting patterns and for free articles about the history of tatting, how to shuttle tat, how to make a blocking board for finishing your tatting, and many other things.
Sewing
I have been sewing since I was a child, and spent seven years running my own business as a dressmaker. Visit the sewing section for free sewing tips that I learned on the job and while I was studying textiles in college. Learn about caring for your machine, sewing on specialty fabrics, how to make collars that curve beautifully, the correct way to press your projects, time-saving tips, selecting the right fabric and interfacing, and much more!
Gallery
This is the “eye-candy” section of Be-stitched where I post many of the tatting, sewing, quilting, and other projects I’ve done. Plus, now you can add your own projects! Just send me an email with a photo of your project and a short paragraph about it.
Latest from the blog…
State of the Website
Due to the recent changes in our hosting provider, we have moved our website to…
Diversions – lap quilt and crumb piecing
So I was supposed to work on one of Mom’s quilt tops next. At least…
I love this tote bag!
In addition to Mom’s quilt tops that I’m working on this year, I inherited a…
The first quilt is done!
I had originally thought that I would first finish Mom’s red, white, and blue quilt…
About Me
My name is Nancy Tracy and I’m a tatter and a quilter. I love other techniques as well. In fact, if it involves thread or fiber or fabric, I’m usually up for it!
When I was a teenager, my mother took a class and learned to tat. She wanted to teach me then, but I wasn’t so interested (what was I thinking?!). But years later when my daughter was a toddler, I decided I wanted to learn. I bought a book and a shuttle, but I forgot thread, so I pulled out the thickest thread I had–some buttonhole thread. I don’t recommend using buttonhole thread to learn. It was hard! But I persisted, and taught myself to tat. I’ve been happily tatting ever since.
My husband, Bruce, and I are now empty nesters. I had a little trouble adjusting at first, so we ended up with two cats because apparently I need something to take care of.
On weekdays, I work full-time as an electrical designer/drafter for a major corporation. My free time I spend gardening, tatting, quilting, making temari, volunteering for my church, and taking care of my home and family. (Sleep is optional)
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