Cover Image Property of PUBLISHER
This image was scanned from my private collection

Selma L.(born 3-1-1923) and Edward A. Morin(born 1924) brought needle tatting back from complete obscurity and popularized it in the late 1970's. The photo to the left was taken in 1979 by a photographer for The Oregonian. A great article on this couple ran in the Oregonian on July 5, 1979. International Old Lacers reprinted the article in their September 1979 issue of The Bulletin. Selma and Ed Morin still live in Oregon. Many people consider needle tatting easier to do than shuttle tatting, so if you are having trouble negotiating a shuttle, but love the look of tatted lace, give needle tatting a try. Mrs. Morin was born blind, and didn't get but partial vision in one eye by the time she was twenty. So she developed a method of needle tatting that the blind and physically handicapped could more easily pick up this craft. The Morins sold their house to finance the development of the Jiffy Tatting Needle, and made a deal with Boye Needle Company of Illinois to manufacture and distribute it for them. That is all in, folks. I don't think you can get any more commitment than that. I admire the courage of the Morins, and the talents that both brought to this team.

This husband and wife team were best known to the readers of Workbasket, though they were also regulars in Lace Crafts Quarterly and had an article on Jiffy Tatting in Stitch'n Sew. Workbasket tatting patterns before 1989 seldom gave credit to the designer, so we may never know for sure which patterns may have been theirs. This page is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Morin, who made tatting history.

Cover Image Property of PUBLISHER
This image was scanned from my private collection

I finally found an intact complete set of the Jiffy Tatting Needles! The needles are lying on a corrugated case, and an instruction book comes included.

A fellow fan got in touch who had been doing some research of her own, and came up with the filed patent No. 4,168,792 and a couple of links!
Ed Morin's Jiffy Tatting Needle Patent and PDF of 4 Pages

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Bibliography Entries for all their Books

Complete Book of Jiffy Needle Tatting, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 152 pages; Language: English; Publisher: KC Publishing, Kansas City, MO, USA; ISBN: 0866753389;
      Selma and Ed Morin were "Workbasket" staples for tatting patterns, like Myrtle Hamilton...

Jiffy Needle Tatting Book - Holiday Collection, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 97 pages; Language: English; Publisher: KC Publishing, Kansas City, MO, USA; ISBN: 0866753427;
     

Jiffy Needle Tatting Book - Fashion Accessories, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 97 pages; Language: English; Publisher: KC Publishing, Kansas City, MO, USA; ISBN: 0866753419;
     

Jiffy Needle Tatting Book - Quick & Easy, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 114 pages; Language: English; Publisher: KC Publishing, Kansas City, MO, USA; ISBN: 0866753395;
     

Jiffy Needle Tatting Book - A To Z, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 113 pages; Language: English; Publisher: KC Publishing, Kansas City, MO, USA; ISBN: 0866753400;
     

ALMORE Jiffy Needle Tatting Instructions, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1978,1983,1993) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 12 pages; Language: English; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR, USA; ISBN: None;
     

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Catalog of all their Kits

Edward A. Morin Company,
Portland, OR

The Morins started a mail order business where they sold Jiffy Tatting Needle Sets, Kits and Patterns, but they also sold kits, needle sets, and books through KC Publishing, Inc. - the company that published "Workbasket" magazine. To the left is the cover of the envelope for the Small Cupid Heart Kit I found distributed by KC Publishing. ALL the kits came complete with needle, instructions, pattern and materials.

#2: Instructions for Needle Tatted Rosettes, by Selma and Ed Morin (PKG:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#4: Infant Sacque & Bonnet, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#8: Working Beads Into Needle Tatting, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 4 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#18: Christmas Tree, by Selma and Ed Morin (PKG:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#19: Owl Wall Hanging, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 3 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#23: Small Cupid Heart, by Selma and Ed Morin (PKG:1992) Book Review Popup Window
Notes: 3 pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;
Kits include one needle, instructions, pattern and materials for the pattern.

#41: Baby Sacque and Bonnet, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#44: Baby Booties, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#49: Princess Doily, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#50: Round Doily, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#76: Baby Blanket(large crocheted granny square w/ tatted edging), by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#91: Snowflake, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#121: Sitting Rabbit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#131: Baby Booties, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#145: Butterfly No. 2, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#149: Princess Afghan(knitted panels with picot lace insertions, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#157: Camisole(knitted with tatted trim), by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#163: Margaret Collar, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1983)
Notes: 1 page; Country: USA; Publisher: JTN: Edward A Morin Co., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

#WBS1041: Anna Marie Pearl Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;

#WBSJTNX: Christmas Lapel Pin Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;

#WBS1040: Glimmering Shawl Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;

#WBS1045: Tatted Halloween Trio Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;

#WBS1011: Margaret Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1992)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publishing, Inc., Des Moines, IA; ISBN: None;

79817: Anna Maria Pearl Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79823: Margaret Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79827: Valentine Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79832: Marie Therese Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79833: Butterfly Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79834: Elizabeth Collar Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79835: Needle Tatted Irish Linen Handkerchief Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79841: Special Beginner's Jiffy Needle Tatting Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

79842: New Complete Jiffy Needle Tatting Kit, by Selma and Ed Morin (TPB:1993)
Notes: ?? pages; Country: USA; Publisher: Almore International, Inc., Portland, OR; ISBN: None;

Bibliography Entries for WORKBASKET Packaged Patterns

Patterns in other packages weren't attributed, so I don't know if any of the others should be listed here.

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Bibliography Entries for WORKBASKET Packaged Patterns

Jiffy Tatting Needle Doilies, by Selma L. Morin (TPB:199?)
Notes: 1 huge double-sided sheet; Country: USA; Publisher: KC Publications, Kansas City, MO; ISBN: None;
There's a rare tatted pineapple pattern in this package that I really love...

MAGAZINE ARTICLE BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • The Bulletin
    • "NW Couple's Life in Tatters, But Looking Up"
            ISSUE: Sept. 1979(Reprint Article from July 5, 1979, The Oregonian)
    • "Needle-tatted Collar "Elizabeth""
            ISSUE: July 1984
    • "Angel Christmas Tree Ornament"
            ISSUE: Nov. 1984
    • "Small Tatted Heart"
            ISSUE: March 1985
    • "Jiffy Needle Tatting Instructions"
            ISSUE: Sept/Oct. 1985
  • Crafts'n Things
    • "Fashionable Shimmering Wrap"(needle tatting)
            ISSUE: Aug/Sept. 1984(Vol. 10:1)
  • Flower & Garden Crafts Edition
    • "Easter Egg Jacket"
            ISSUE: Mar/Apr. 1997
    • "Tatted Tulip Beach Bag"
            ISSUE: May/June 1997
    • "Mason Jar Bonnet Doily"
            ISSUE: Mar/Apr. 1998
  • Lace Craft Quarterly
    • "Tatting by Needle: Quick and Easy Method"
            ISSUE: Summer 1989(Vol. 2:2)
    • "Marie Therese Collar"
            ISSUE: Fall 1989(Vol. 2:3)
    • "American Needle Tatted Lace Shawl"
            ISSUE: Winter 1989(Vol. 2:4)
    • "Unicycle Champions(Teddy Bear Ornaments"
            ISSUE: Winter 1989(Vol. 2:4)
    • "Honeymoon Shoulder Bag in Tatted Seashell Motif"
            ISSUE: Summer 1990(Vol. 3:2)
    • "Mother/Daughter Boleros with Tatted Edge"
            ISSUE: Fall 1990(Vol. 3:3)
    • "Christmas Lace Angel"
            ISSUE: Winter 1990(Vol. 3:4)
    • "Toddler Bandanna Dress"
            ISSUE: Spring 1991(Vol. 4:1)
    • "Prairie Rose Shell Needle-tatted Bolero"
            ISSUE: Fall 1991(Vol. 4:3)
    • "Butterfly Needle Tatted Collar"
            ISSUE: Summer 1991(Vol. 4:2)
    • "Roses Roses Roses a Potpourii Sachet Bag"
            ISSUE: Fall 1991(Vol. 4:3)
    • "Holiday Afghan: Crochet and Needle Tatting"
            ISSUE: Winter 1991-92(Vol. 4:4)
  • Stitch'n Sew
    • "Jiffy Tatting"
            ISSUE: May/June 1979(Vol. 12:3)
  • Workbasket
    • "Margaret Collar(tatting)"
            ISSUE: Aug/Sept. 1991(Vol. 56:6)
    • "Daisy Shawl(tatting)"
            ISSUE: Jun/July 1992(Vol. 57:5)
    • "Girl's Hairband(tatting)"
            ISSUE: Aug/Sept. 1992(Vol. 57:6)
    • "Little Princess Glitter Crown(tatting, chenille stems)"
            ISSUE: Oct/Nov. 1993(Vol. 59:1)