Hi everyone > Spangled bobbins were designed for flat or almost flat pillows. Though > people sometimes use them otherwise, the spangle does not function > properly unless it is flat.
May I reword the first sentence - Spangled bobbins work most effectively for flat working surfaces (whether the pillow itself is round or flat, the working surface is to be flat or nearly so). The v. large Midlands bolsters were used with spangled midlands, but the effective part of the pillow was the flattish 'plateau' along the length and breadth of the top. The length of the tether is important - too short and there is no room to work, too long and the bobbins dangle (and tangle), impeding progress. I really enjoyed making and trying out a Midlands bolster of straw - a very big bolster gives more mechanical advantage - but needs a crane to move it around <vbg> Someone else mentioned the pillow stuffing as being important - this Midlands bolster so firmly stuffed with straw has a quality all its own, and I'm sure the density of the straw plus the layers of cloth surrounding it (there are 2, a sturdy casing and around that a cotton drawstring cover) aid and abet the efficient bobbin behaviour. Like an iceberg - the top bit is small compared to the bit 'below' (unlike an iceberg, not necessarily dangerous, unless the bolster escapes and starts rolling down a hill... :p ) I agree with all the advice about continentals - I would never have thought I'd be using them, when I first started lace and Midlands style bobbins was what I became used to, but some laces simply work better with continentals (spangled mids. for honiton seems contradictory - although I did try it...meekly went to the honiton style for ease of use - unspangled Mids are ok, if you are using thicker thread, but IMO honiton laces are more fun if made with honiton Stuff)(oops I digress) > Don't give up yet. You can do this. Thumbs up. Totally. bye for now Bev in Sooke, BC (on ridiculously sunny (it's winter, and it's 16 degrees??)(Celsius) Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada) Cdn. floral bobbins www.woodhavenbobbins.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
