Whenever I do a lace project, I end up with lots of thread left on the bobbins. ............ There's quite a lot of thread on some of them, so I don't really feel like just throwing it away, but it's hard to come up with a project to use it up, since it's all different sizes and colors and lengths. How do you deal with this? Is it possible to figure out how much thread a project will take so that not much is left over? Or do you just discard all of your leftover thread even if there's a lot?
First, I agree with Robin. The least expensive part of your lace tools is the thread. Unless there's a whole lot left, it's not worth the fuss to try to use it.
Consider how much is left. If there are lots of bobbins, and lots of thread left on each one, then I may use it for a another project. Bookmarks and Christmas ornaments are favorites. It needs to be a yard or more before I consider it, and sufficient wound bobbins to do a project. There has to be enough to wind off half onto another bobbin and still do the project. Most of the time, when I start rewinding the bobbins, I find there's not enough thread so I may as well forget it.
If I try to save a batch of bobbins with thread on them -- for another project -- I forget the kind/size of thread. I'm not as consistent as Robin in recording that information. It's easier to take one project at a time -- keep the thread with the project until completion -- and then put the spool back in stock and throw away the bits and pieces. And it usually happens that the next project that needs that particular type of bobbin uses a different thread.
Thread that's been wound on bobbins comes off curled. I save it to use in some craft projects, and stuff it into a plastic bag. I haven't tried making paper but I like the idea. I have also heard of people stuffing pincushions with it.
Recently, I did a large project and ended up with many bobbins with yards and yards of nice linen thread on them. That time I used them for an edging on my travel pillow. The cut ends were just tied in a bunch, and the edging started. As a bobbin runs out, a new one is tied on. There's enough spare, threaded bobbins to make several yards of edging. The bobbins are kept in a pocket in the pillow bag so they will be ready when needed.
Enjoy all the threads we have available, and don't be afraid of discarding the excess from the bobbins. Be happy we don't live in the time when the thread was weighed out to the lacemaker, and weighed back in when the lace was done. All the bits had to be saved to prove none was used for private purposes.
As you do more projects, you will get more use to guessing the amount of thread. Robin gave several good suggestions on that. If your thread comes up short, then you get practice in adding more. If a thread is running out and it's long enough to do the project, but not long enough for the leash, just tie a scrape thread on the end to wrap around the bobbin and make the leash.
It you are doing a hanky, you can study one side of the pattern and guess the thread needed. Just be sure to multiply by 4 sides. I have the famous hanky where I didn't X 4, and started running out at the first corner. Over 80 percent of the threads in that hanky were replaced before it was finished -- and it still got a blue ribbon. The times I mutter the most is when the thread runs out 1/2 inch before the end of the project. If it looks like that will happen to you, replace the thread 2-3 inches before the end so the new thread can be securely anchored before the final sewing or finishing.
Happy lacing, Alice in Oregon -- still hot and no rain.
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