Noah asked what we are doing with the wooden bobbins (-the specific style is called thumper, I think-). Well, here it is: My very-first attempt of creating a bobbin-lace design using wooden bobbins and a pillow. (It took me about 8 working hours - not counting several hours of learning how to do it in a first place.)

it looks lovely!

very pretty and great job....I did one of these years ago....no more ....takes too long .....maybe you will do more.....

Hats off to you for the wonderful result. I tried that and gave up. I had a tangled mess. I guess I just wasn't patient enough.

Thank you

fist attempt - respect !! amazing.
See your handwriting of machine emb. design showing trough 8-))
I would tangle up all the bobbins, may watch a friend shake and twist the bobbins sometimes

great job

Very well done! This is a lot of work, I know, I have no patience to learn and to practice it! I admire these people, congrats!

Wow, thats amazing!

It is lovely work - but you could create this via the embroidery machine in about 20 minutes or less - will we see anything like it soon?

2 comments

by bejoscha 20 Aug 2011

It's planned - but if it will be a freebie is not so clear... (And right now, we are too bussy flying all over the globe for conferences and organizing relocations, so the tavernmaker site is growing more slowly.)

by mi30kaja 20 Aug 2011

By the machine is not as nice and you don't get the pleasure of knowing you have achieved something special with your own little hands.

It is lovely but I wouldn't have the patience to learn.

A really beautiful result, but gee, I would have no patience for this after doing FSL so easily on the embroidery machine. You have done a great job.

Very lovely stitching, and you learned something new! Well, 2 things new: how to make bobbin lace by hand, and why we use sewing machines to do it now, hee hee hee. This is so lovely, but I can't see my having the patience to do it. Good for you for taking a try, and being successful to boot! Hugs, Marji

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by bejoscha 20 Aug 2011

Thanks! I like bobbin lace, it is something spetial, but machine embroidery lace is more faster and somehow spetial as well ( if I do the desing my self)...

You did an excellent job, especially with including the leaf stitch on your first attempt. I learned bobbin lacemaking about 15 years ago and never really mastered the leaf. My instructor said the theory is it takes making 1000 leaves to master the stitch. Based on your description of the bobbin, you are probably using a continental bobbin vs the English bobbin. The English bobbin is thin and has spangles (wired beads) on the bottom end for weight. The continental bobbin has a bulb shape (no beads) at the end. If you have questions on any kind of lacemaking (bobbin, tatting, knitting, etc.), you can sign up for a lace list that has people from around the world. They welcome questions from new list members. I've found this list to be very helpful and educational over the last 14+ years I've been on the list. The instructions for joining are at the following link: http://www.arachne.com/lace/list_...

2 comments

by bejoscha 20 Aug 2011

Thank you! I am proud of it ;-). I learned lace making from books and internet only. Now it is more easy and the leaves as well. I like to use tweezers for better shape.
My bobbins are not continental, but the style is called thumper and they are made in UK.

by mi30kaja 20 Aug 2011

When I first started lace I spangled all of my bobbins but found the beads a real nuisance so have taken them all off. Had a man here in Adelaide who made beautiful bobbins. Bought many then one day went to order more and was told that he had passes away.

I am using 43 pairs of bobbins at the moment.

2 comments

by bejoscha 20 Aug 2011

What is it going to be?

by mi30kaja 20 Aug 2011

The piece that I am doing - very slowly -is a section of a tablecloth.

you did a great job

This is a beautiful design. I do Bobbin Lace as well. Go each Friday to a group. Have been going for 4 years.

Well you did a great job - mine would have been a wad of threads - I am all thumbs at times. Great work. Now, tell us - which do you prefer? The old way, or the new machine embroidery way? LOL

This looks like tatting (we call) it its wonderful what you have done an excellent result thanks Carolyn

1 comment

by mi30kaja 19 Aug 2011

Carolyn, Not like Tastting. I can do bobbin lace but hopeless at tatting.I have two left hands as opposed to two left feet. Bobbin lace is so much easier. They say if you can count to 4, then you can do bobbin lace

Very pretty, i dont think i have the patience.

Amazing for the first time using them. My mother used to do tatting with the metal shuttles and the little picots on the ends of your lace look similar.

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by noah 19 Aug 2011

it looks just like it :):) carolyn

I can't imagine even attempting this. Keep it up!!

very nice i have never heard of "thumper" it looks very labour intensie....soozie

Very good for a first attempt.
I see you used a small number of bobbins to start with (5 pairs at a guess) and got a beautiful result. Nice linen - it seems so easy but is so difficult to get it even. Great result!!

I love bobbin lace making but it is so time consuming - as you found out too.

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by bejoscha 19 Aug 2011

Thank you. You guessed very close: 7 pairs in total :c)