...the necessity of "blocking" your work!

... years ago, I have crocheted doilies and edgings and never blocked any of my creations. Why? Because I was lazy and took short cuts, that's why! Hey I was young and had more important things to do with my time... moving on to the next project!

Well They (by the way.. who is they?) say that one become wiser through experience and maturity as the years go by. I can truly say that I am uncertain about the maturity... but experience, oh yeah I learn from them!

I took short cuts in many things that I created over the years.... blocking was one of them! I did it in all of my quilting, crochet, knitting, cross-stitch. About ten years ago.. when I hit forty, I took different approach to my work! I actually took time to read instructions and tips provided for each craft. Hey, I "knew" everything back then!

I blocked my quilt blocks... My! Oh! My! They were actually squared! My! The whole quilt tops were straight! Such revelation! I just finished a doily that I tatted. It was all ruffly and distorted. I did not fret! I was going to block this piece! In the past I would get mad and frustrated ..and give up. It had to be right the first time! Geesh, I sure grew out of that! Wiser!



Let me show you through the pictures of how easy it is to block your beautiful tatted creations!

completed tatted doily before blocking

the doily pinned onto a styrofoam board, 

(wet the doily prior to pinning)

air dry, take out pins when dried.

Taadaaa! blocked tatted doily!

This was my very first blocking for needlework (shuttled in this case)

I'll admit I used wayyyyyy more pins then it was necessary, but as I got started I couldn't stop. It was very therapeutic!

Lizbeth, size 20, #136 Autumn Spice & #138 Leafy Greens 

* Galatians 5:22, 23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.