To answer whether you should break the wrapping threads, you'd have to decide what your intention really is for these threads: Will you preserve them "as-is" for historic reasons, or would you use the thread for a reconstruction? I think that the answer might help solve the question you have.
And BTW - I have also heard these threads refer to as "bands" instead of "slips". A 14-band thread was one of the finest available, and at one time I had an opportunity to buy a pristine, intact, packet of 14-band thread. Now I wish I had, but at the time, I wondered what I would ever do with it... and if it was worth what seemed to me to be a lot of money (as it turns out, it was probably a steal!). Clay Clay Blackwell Lynchburg, VA, USA -------------- Original message -------------- From: Brenda Paternoster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 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 > > - > To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: > unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
