Needlecraft Magazine 1923.....

"Here is my method of holding the second thread in tatting so that it will move easily yet be firm. I have never seen anyone else hold it in this way--usually the thread is wrapped around the little finger; but it is so easy and simple I wish to pass the idea along: Hold the thread exactly as you do for crocheting; that is, bring the thread from the spool up between first two fingers of left hand, and with a twist of the left wrist wrap twice over forefinger, and catch between thumb and second finger at base of ring or work. -- Mrs. Thornton
Skelton, Indiana"

(To prepare the raw edge of fabric for tatting on to it, the following advice is given....)

Needlecraft Magazine 1923.....

"Follow the outline with machine-hemstitching. If you are unable to get this done, "big-needle work" or punchwork may be substituted. Using a darner or punchwork-needle, with fine, strong thread tied in the eye, bring the needle up through on the outline, put it down the length of the stitch back--a little less than one eighth inch--bring it up in the first hole, put it back again, then bring it up again the length of a stitch in advance of the first hole, put it down in th first hole, and so on, drawing the thread tight enough to hold the openings made by the big needle. One binding stitch will serve instead of two if the thread is strong and tightly drawn; and one may use a common sewing-needle and punch the little holes with a stiletto."
by Clara A. Olsen

Needlecraft Magazine 1924.....

"I wish to know how to clean tatting; I have a lot of it, but find that when washed it does not look well anymore."-- Hattie Tucker, Tenn.

The following methods have just come from Needlecraft friends: Cover a tin can or glass fruit-jar, large bottle, or something similar, smoothly with white cloth, wrap the tatting smoothly around it, keeping the picots in place, then boil the bottle in suds made with naphtha soap. Or baste the tatted piece to a piece of firm white cloth, catching into every picot, and boil this, rinsing thoroughly in either case. The work, basted to the cloth, may be laid face down and pressed before taking off. Another method, recommended as excellent, is to use flour as your would water, washing the tatting in it. The question is open for further "tried and true" suggestions."

.....O lady, dear! What was thy thought
While all these lovely things were wrought?
What dreams of beauty did you see
While, like the little busy bee,
You wove with shuttle, needle, hook,
These pictures from your needle-book?
by Sarah Louks