Clearly bobbin management in the Flemish laces, is part of the key to success, as there are so many ways for bobbin management out there.
Whatever system is used has to be a match between the bobbins and the holders. I use the standard Binche bobbins, and the wood and elastic holders. The wooden ones that are about 3/4 inches, 2cm wide do not, in my opinion, do the job. Bobbins wiggle and fall out at too great a rate. John Aebi's, (a retired American woodworking teacher married to a lacemaker, I believe) has an improved wood and elastic bobbin holder. It is just as thin, but it is much wider, so that a standard Flemish bobbin of almost any sort fits the width from the wooden bulge at the bottom to the stop at the top where the thread is wound. I hope I'm making myself clear. The elastic is beefy, and I usually make it tighter with a knot. I like them so much that for one Christmas one year I requested four dozen of these from my son who is a woodworker. Good I asked for so many, because he says he won't make any more. Cherry. I get the elastic from a common fabric store. The pieces of wood are tapere! d at one end to make scooping up bobbins more convenient, and there are holes drilled in the same place on each piece so you can pin a stack of them to the pillow with long pins when traveling. It's not perfect, but it certainly works for me. Lyn in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA "My email sends out an automatic message. Arachne members, please ignore it. I read your emails." - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
