When you think of tatting, you may first think of ink and tattoos, but for the Cullman Fiber Guild, tatting is a fun ink-free way to spend a Saturday morning. 

Tatting is usually used to make lace edging or trimming on clothes, but can also be used to make doilies or other decorative pieces. It first became popular in the Victorian era, when frilly or lacy garments were prevalent, but is still a technique that is used today. 

Ann Brown, who teaches the class for the Cullman Fiber Guild, said tatting can be done with a shuttle or a needle, but her group uses a needle because it’s simpler and more fun to do. 

There is only one stitch that is used in needle tatting, but chaining the stitches together into a pattern takes practice, she said. When looking at tatting books, it can be intimidating to see some of the complex designs, but it is still all made with one stitch, she said. 

“It’s a simple technique,” Brown said. “It’s just putting it together sometimes that’s hard.” 

The Cullman Fiber Guild meets every two months at the Peinhardt Farm Living History Museum, and they are always welcoming new members, Brown said. She said there was a new visitor during the last meeting, and a beginner who came on Saturday. 

The meetings are called classes, but Brown said they were really more informal gatherings that allow everyone to get together. 

Being able to gather in one place allows beginners to learn the basics, but also allows the more advanced members to ask any questions that they might have too, she said. 

“It’s just good to be with everybody,” she said. “We’re just hanging in there together. We’re having fun.”

The Cullman Fiber Guild will hold a basket making class from 2 to 4 p.m. today (June 11) at Peinhardt Living History Farm, 1711 Tally Ho St. SW. Bring own basket tool kit (garden clippers, tape measure, clothes pins, towel bucket). $20 for cost of reed, applied to cost per made basket.