Hi Susan Can you detail the actual cause determined, ie, tension, friction, etc., from the cover cloth?
Sometimes the cause for threads to become weakened and shred is the cover cloth. When we work our bobbins they are constantly being moved from side to side across the pillow and, depending how we handle them*, they may wear out as they slide across the cover cloth. If that cloth is at all rough the friction between the cloth and the threads passing across it can cause the damage to the bobbin threads. To minimumize the damage caused in this way choose a smooth fine fabric for the cover cloth. If you fold the edge over press it to make it as flat as possible. I have heard it said that polyester is more rough than pure cotton, but I have seen no evidence of this. It probably depends more on the particular fabric, how fine the individual threads are and its weave. Some lacemakers use the selvedge as the top edge, it is flatter but sometimes it can be rough - so check first. As I said before, a remedy is to use a strip of polythene, several inches wide, across the top edge of the cloth. (*Some hold bobbins higher off the pillow, a stronger tension will increase the friction etc.) I hope this answers your query. I am well aware that the English language is imperfect at the best of times and it is notoriously easy to misinterpret. Happy lacemaking Alex - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
