Life-changing Tatting Shuttles

The story begins back in the summer of 2003 when Eve Goldsmith, a lace tutor from Sharnbrook, purchased a number of tatting shuttles from us. Returning for more the following summer, she explained who they were for.

Eve's husband works in India, and each winter she, and the shuttles, travel with him to the Delhi Leprosy Mission where she has been teaching the ladies to tat, many of whom already have traditional craft and needlework skills. Tatting is a suitable addition as it does not require expensive equipment, just shuttles and threads.

Due to the great fear of leprosy, sufferers are often turned out of their home by their families and villagers. If they are lucky women with the disease may be accompanied by their children but many never see their families or children again. They have to make a new life for themselves and this is where the Leprosy Mission and people such as Eve do such valuable work, by teaching them new skills and helping them market the finished products.

The sad thing is that Leprosy is not, in fact, very contagious and can be successfuly cured by drug treatment within 6 to 12 months. The disease is caused by bacteria that can stay dormant for up to 20 years. Eventually it damages the nerve endings in the hands, feet and face, causing a loss of feeling. Injuries and burns lead to infections, ulcers and the resultant disfigurement associated with leprosy.

Now, whenever Eve calls for more tatting shuttles, we spend a pleasant time trying to think of new projects to supplement the ladies' own ideas. Some of these are successful, like the gorgeous Christmas snowflake decorations shown on this page, some are not, but they have fun trying them out.

Obtaining an appropriate thread has caused a few problems. In England we use crochet thread, but that is not readily available in India, and they do need a constant local source of supply. However, the ladies are nothing if not resourceful, and they tat with two strands of embroidery thread, which would not be my preferred choice of thread.

Producing lovely work in such difficult circumstances proves to me yet again that crafts are important in today's world. And that world somehow seems smaller now.

The Ladies in Delhi have excelled themselves this year and have three delightful items (shown below) selling in the TLM catalogue.

If you wish to find out more about the work of the Leprosy Mission click here .

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