Thank you, Brenda, and the other kind people who helped to answer my question. I hadn't thought about the bulbous nature of the continentals. It is interesting to read though that there were some bone continentals.
I wonder whether it was the fact that bone was used for English bobbins that encouraged all the decorations? The midlands bobbins in particular are so much more elaborate while continentals are much more uniform and utilitarian. As for my collection? There are many, including family, who would like to get them but for now they remain with me. One day, I might be able to deal with my pain to the extent that hobbies are possible again - no harm in dreaming, right?! Regards, Helen in damp British Columbia on the west coast of Canada On 2015-09-22, at 2:51, Brenda Paternoster <paternos...@appleshack.com> wrote: There were few, if any bone continental bobbins. I guess that’s mostly because even the heavier breeds of cattle around two or three centuries ago didn’t have bones thick enough to form into the bulbous shape that most continental bobbins have. - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
