Andy wrote:
<1. What is the purpose of the spangles? Weight? Decoration? 2. Should you buy bobbins in pairs? If in pairs, why?>
1. For weight - that's mainly why glass beads are used instead of plastic. Beads not too heavy, or the spangle too big though - have a look at spangled bopbbins on the web (ebay's a good place) and get an idea of the size of a spangle.
Different thread thicknesses need different weight bobbins. For instance,
Honiton bobbins would be far too light for the threads used for everyday
torchon, and spangled or continental bobbins (which aren't spangled,
although Danish ones have beads around the end) would be too heavy for the
very fine thread used for Honiton lace. The thread (or in my opinion the
"cobweb") would keep breaking just from the weight of spangled bobbins. Some
people prefer continental bobbins, which have variously shaped bulbous ends
depending on which area of Europe they come from. The spangles are also for
decoration and they stop the bobbins rolling about and unravelling the
thread. Some people find spangles get in the way if they are making piece
lace which means smaller motifs are joined together by making loops and
passing bobbins through the loop. It's a case of finding which ones you like
best to work with.
2. Although I don't necessarily buy bobbins in actual pairs (ie identical), I do tend to buy two at a time because that's how they're used - in twos. If I buy one bobbin, to use it I either have to not use one of my existing favourites, or wait until I have another one to use with it.
Jean in Poole
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