Dear Spiders
I have recently acquired some old slip threads - thank you Lynne - and
my quandry is whether or not I should break the packaging in order to
measure the threads.
Slip thread, is gassed cotton in skeins as traditionally used by
lacemakers in England.
According to Thomas Wright, 'Romance of the Lace Pillow' the thread
came in 2 ounce packets; each packet containing 4 parcels and each
parcel divided into several slips - (hence the name slip-thread). The
slips are separated from each other by a red thread twisted between
each slip. I *think* that the slips are joined together, ie one long
length of thread.
What I have is two packets plus one parcel of 12-slip, two packets plus
one parcel of 10 slip and one parcel of 6-slip, plus a couple of
individual slips that I don't know the size of - once a parcel has been
opened and the red thread cut the "size" information is destroyed!!
When I weighed the four parcels they only weighed 4 ounces - I think
that could be an error by Thomas Wright (I know his book is not now
considered 100% accurate), and I think the thread was manufactured by E
Peat, Son & Co of Nottingham as there's a blue paper wrapper bearing
their label in the bag that the threads came in. Wolter-Kampmann's
book (German edition page 26) shows a parcel, a packet, a wrapped
packet and a larger wrapped packet (2 ounce) of this thread.
My question is; should I break the wrapping threads to measure the
thread or should I keep it intact?
Brenda in Allhallows, Kent
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/index.html
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