Teacher

Rita Cochrane
of Canada

Email: threads@execulink.com

Bio | Class | Samples

April 2, 2005

Bio
Rita Cochrane – Threads Plus

I first viewed tatting at The Paris Fair in Paris, Ontario, Canada. The entries were baby booties and a bonnet. The winner of the category was Mrs. Eva Davis, a lady from Ayr, Ontario. I was mesmerized by the beautiful workmanship and very pleased that I actually knew the artist. Mrs. Davis was 84 years old at the time and we both lived in Ayr. I contacted her to find out if she would be interested in teaching me the fine art of tatting. She was thrilled that someone would want to learn the art and immediately we set up a few afternoons to learn and teach. Having been our local butcher’s wife she had ample butchers string so I learned to shuttle tat with that. Tatting was suffering a lull at the time and shuttles were hard to come by so my first shuttle was a very cheap small plastic post shuttle, but it did the job. After Mrs. Davis had taught me all she said she knew I asked her how much I owed for the lessons. She patted my arm and said “just teach as many people as you can and that will be my payment”. I replied with a promise to fulfill the challenge and have since spent approximately 25 years paying back Mrs. Davis. You see Mrs. Davis knew that I taught classes in knitting, crochet, needle point, counted cross stitch and cake decorating. She wanted tatting added to the list which I did once I felt that I had enough experience to pass it on. I have taught for The Waterloo Board of Education continuing education division, private classes in my home, seminars for many different organizations and have been teaching tatting for Mary Maxim for approximately 25 years. I have recently added Victoria School Senior Center, and a local 4H group to the list of teaching venues.

Mrs. Davis didn’t needle tat and I don’t know if she even knew about it as she never mentioned needle tatting so I checked it out and found that it certainly had a place in the art of tatting. My multi class beginner curriculum now consists of both needle and shuttle tatting.

I have recently retired from my “Day Job”, which frees up my time so I can travel more and teach this art which has become my passion. I teach in private homes, churches, halls, wherever anyone wants to assemble a gathering of people who want to learn the art of tatting. I have taught people in Parks, at Fairs, in back yards under the trees, at automotive flea markets (the men hunt for car parts and the women learn to tat). I will go wherever there are people who want to learn.

I have recently started selling tatting threads and tatting supplies. I have developed a very fine tatting needle for use with very fine cotton and silk threads (100 +) sizes.

Class

"Working with Teeny Tiny and Other Specialty Threads"

Time: Saturday 3 to 5

Techniques: Rings, Chains, Adding Beads, Encapsulation, special closing techniques for silk and metallic threads.
Project: A small fan

Intermediate to Advanced Level: Shuttle and Needle Tatters welcome!

Description:
Explore the wonders of tiny fine threads - silk, rayon, cotton and metallic using both shuttle and needle.

NOTE: Needle tatting experience is not necessary for this class.

Supplies:
Shuttles or Needles
Scissors
Small magnifying glass optional
The threads for this class (silk, rayon, fine cottons, and metallic) are pre-packaged in kit form and can be purchased in the vending room for $6. Kit also includes small fan frame, beads and ultra-fine needle.

Pictures coming in a few days. Let Rita finish her curling! :-)

Samples of teacher’s work:

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