Brian asked whether we should restore old bobbins or leave them in poor
state.
I think you should ask why you want the bobbin. Do you collect bobbins as a
collection of old bobbins or is this bobbin one you want to use? If it the
latter, then a certain amount of restoration is necessary.
I hear the comment from people that they won't use an old bobbin in case the
spangle breaks. If the bobbin has been in use for 100 years, the spangle
has probably broken before, so it is likely that it isn't the original.
Surely it is better to use these wonderfully smooth bobbins that have seen
years of lace making already, than to leave them mouldering in a drawer or
box rarely to see the light of day. Many of the spangles on the old bobbins
are quite large, and I have no problem to make it smaller and be able to use
the bobbin. I do keep the old beads separate and use them for old bobbins
if one comes along with no spangle.
I bought a handful of bobbins from e-bay but when they arrived they smelled
of tobacco smoke and were very dirty. My sister, Jacquie, cleaned them and
by the time I saw them they were in a very good condition. Another couple
of bobbins I had, leopards but only holes where the pewter had originally
been, were given to a metal worker friend of one of my students who put in
new spots. Quite expensive, I think, and probably not something that I
would do on a regular basis, but she had them done as a gift for me.
So, I guess the answer to your question, Brian, is why do you have them and
what do you want them for.
Malvary in Ottawa where it is a grey day, and I'm waiting for the contractor
to come so I can get the damage repaired from the city-owned tree which fell
over a few weeks ago and hit my house.
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