Tatting: Tatted Tree Ornament Workshop

The Tatting Tree Ornament Workshop at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum introduces participants to traditional needle tatting by creating a decorative, hand-tatted tree ornament.

Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (EDT)

Location:
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
2451 Kissel Hill Road
Lancaster, PA 17601

Tuition:
$50.00 – $55.00

Classroom:
Museum Store – Second Floor (one flight of stairs)

The Tatting Tree Ornament Workshop is a full-day, hands-on class that introduces participants to the traditional needle tatting technique while creating a festive tree ornament. This workshop blends historic needlework skills with seasonal creativity, resulting in a finished ornament that can be displayed year after year or given as a meaningful handmade gift.

Tatting is a centuries-old form of lace-making that uses a series of knots and loops to create delicate yet durable designs. Historically, tatted lace was used to decorate household linens, clothing, and small personal items. In this workshop, participants will apply these same techniques to create a tree-shaped tatted ornament, complete with decorative threadwork and bells that add both visual interest and a gentle seasonal sound.

The workshop is open to both new and experienced tatters. Beginners are carefully guided through the fundamentals of needle tatting, including forming basic knots, rings, and chains, and understanding how patterns are constructed. Experienced tatters can refine their technique, explore pattern variations, and enjoy working on a structured project with expert instruction.

Each participant receives a complete workshop kit, which includes a tatting needle, thread, bells, and written instructions covering basic tatting techniques and the tree ornament pattern. Reference materials and patterns are provided so students can continue practicing after the workshop. Participants only need to bring scissors; all other materials are included in the class fee.

Throughout the day, the instructor demonstrates techniques step by step and provides individualized assistance. Students learn how to maintain even tension, read and follow tatting instructions, join elements cleanly, and finish their ornament neatly. The tree ornament project is designed to be approachable while still offering enough complexity to build confidence and skill.

The Tatting Tree Ornament Workshop also connects participants to broader traditions of decorative needlework practiced in early American and Pennsylvania German communities, where lace making was both a practical skill and a form of personal expression. Creating a seasonal ornament using historic techniques offers a meaningful way to engage with these traditions in a modern context.

The workshop runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, providing ample time for instruction, practice, and project completion. The class is held in the second-floor classroom of the Landis Valley Museum Store, accessible by one flight of stairs. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch and wear comfortable clothing suitable for a day of seated handwork.

What’s Included

• Tatting needle

• Thread

• Bells

• Written tatting and ornament instructions

• All materials needed to complete the project

Please bring: scissors

About the Instructor: Karen Wattai

Karen Wattai has been passionate about fiber arts and needlework for most of her life, learning and crafting alongside her mother and grandmothers. She taught herself tatting more than 30 years ago and continues to be fascinated by the intricate designs that can be created using simple knots and thread.

Karen holds a BA in Art from Millersville University and has taught tatting and needlework at numerous venues throughout Pennsylvania and beyond, including the Berks Heritage Center, the Historic Schaefferstown Festivals, the Brendle Museum, and the Williamsburg School of Needlework in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is an active member of the International Organization of Lace, Inc., the Ring of Tatters (UK), and Lace Lovers of Lebanon, PA, and serves as a needlework and lace-making judge at the Lebanon Area Fair.

Her work has received local and national recognition, including first prize in the Kreinik Manufacturing 25th Anniversary Ornament Contest (tatting) and the grand prize in the Crafts Magazine/Aida Plus Ornament Contest (cross stitch).

Important Notes

• Beginners and experienced tatters welcome

• All materials included; bring scissors

• Class held in the Museum Store’s second-floor classroom (one flight of stairs)

• All sales are final. No refunds

• Proceeds benefit Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum