[lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Elaine Chock]

Good morning!

At 07:20 AM 3/5/2006, Jo Falkink wrote:

Don't be impressed too much by the price of many 
tools. Most have a cheap alternative. For 
example bobbins of wood bbq-sticks and old 
magazines (as poited out already), a string as a 
bobbin winder, the  "JÄLL laundry bag with stand" of Ikea as a pillow stand.


I hadn't thought about using "string as a bobbin 
winder" for ages!  My first teacher taught me how 
to do this, and for ages I carried a string to 
every class or workshop.  Then I got an 
"official" bobbin winder and forgot all about my trusty string.


I also remember the first time I saw one of those 
"tongue depressor"-type bobbin stackers.  It was 
in Belgium, and I thought it was a really neat 
idea.  I've used them ever since.


I once got a homemade gizmo made of two pieces of 
plastic held together with velcro.  This was 
about the size of a silver dollar, and the 
purpose was to sandwich a bobbin's spangle 
between the plastic so the spangle would be 
protected while using a bobbin winder.


I also have a collection of crocheted bobbin 
holders -- you know, those double-stitch things 
that can store a Continental bobbin in every 
hole.  When pinned to the pillow and covered with 
a tight cover cloth, you can take your pillow 
wherever you go, without having the bobbins 
rearrange themselves when you're not looking.


I live near an IKEA, but it never occurred to me 
to use one of their products as a pillow stand.  I'll have to check it out!


This makes me wonder about other things we've 
learned or discovered as we've gone along.  Does 
anyone else remember a tool or technique that you 
once used and have forgotten about?  Or one that 
you've used so long, and it seems so 
simple/effective, that you take it for granted 
and assume everyone else uses it, too?  Perhaps 
you've invented something yourself to fulfill a 
particular lacemaking need.  It might be fun to share these.


Elaine 


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[lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Jane Partridge]

In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Elaine
Chock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes
>I once got a homemade gizmo made of two pieces of 
>plastic held together with velcro.  
>
>I also have a collection of crocheted bobbin 
>holders --  and it seems so 
>simple/effective, that you take it for granted 
>and assume everyone else uses it, too?  Perhaps 
>you've invented something yourself to fulfill a 
>particular lacemaking need.  

Not one that I've used - yet - but the above has just put a thought in
my mind - two longer strips of Velcro, pinned to the pillow at each end
and possibly in the middle, would possibly hold the likes of Honiton or
Continental bobbins for transportation, and be quicker to apply (just
lay one under, one over, press together every two or three bobbins and
pin down) than the crocheted strip or curtain tape (which I use now for
Honitons)?

Depending on the time, I probably was lacemaking at the same time this
morning - I've been at it all day, out demonstrating lace at a
papercraft show in Birmingham (UK). One lad today, the type who looked
extremely bored (and wanting to be out playing, at a guess), was being
told repeatedly not to touch anything (which he hadn't) by his mother -
so I asked him if he wanted to "have a go" - I wasn't surprised when he
said yes. His question (the first time I have been asked this) was "is
it weaving?" Normally it is us lacemakers who suggest that, this lad had
it in one!  

And finally, after for years saying that Phil (DH) was descended from
the machine lace industry (his grandmother was a lace runner in a
Nottingham lace factory), and searching for a lacemaker on my own tree
(no luck yet), last night I was tracking his father's line back..  from
Sherwood, to Peterborough, to St Neots, to Eaton Socon - which is in
Bedfordshire. At great grandfather level, my comment to him was that his
family kept living next door to lacemakers, how come it had taken so
many generations to marry one.. and then I went back to his gr gr
grandfather, and there she was, his gr gr gr aunt, Eliza Partridge, aged
16 (in 1861), occupation Lace Maker. I take it all back - now I know how
he puts up with me!
-- 
Jane Partridge

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[lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Margot Walker]

I just bought some great containers for storing threads.  They're deep 
enough to take, upright, all but the very large cones of thread and you 
can see what's in each box.  I got them in the fishing tackle section of 
Walmart.  If you go to   http://tinyurl.com/kxczm   the ones I bought 
are pictured at the top of the listing.


Margot Walker in Halifax on the east coast of Canada
Visit the Seaspray Guild of Lacemakers web site:
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/quinbot/seaspray/SeasprayLaceGuild.html

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[lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[David in Ballarat]

Dear Friends,
I hvae many of the tools which have been discussed here. However, there's
one which hasn't yet, and that's my shuttle winder for tatting.

It was designed and made by a bloke in Pennsylvania (whose name escapes
me) - perhaps his daughter is still on the list. It works on Clover and Boye
plastic shuttles - wouldn't risk it on an antique - and I can't live without
it.
David in Ballarat

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[blackwellc]

Years ago, I think it was Steph Peters who introduced us to the hackle plier 
which could be used to hold broken threads while repairing, or could be used 
when you get to the bitter end of a thread and there isn't enough to hold it on 
a bobbin, but there is enough to get to the end of the project!  Eager to 
acquire a couple of these, I went off to the fly-fishing shop where I found 
them.  I also found something called a "swivel hackle", which was just the 
length of a bobbin!  I found that it was perfect for the purpose, and use those 
instead of the smaller ones.  Later, at a lace day, I asked Richard Worthen to 
use one of his broken bobbins to put a bobbin "handle" in place of the metal on 
swivel hackle.  He did, and since then has made and sold hundreds of them!  Of 
course, this fits into the category of "handy", but with Richard's fancy bobbin 
addition, they are no longer inexpensive!  But you don't need the bobbin end on 
it for it to work, and I consider the person who orig
 inally discovered hackle pliers to have "invented" a wonderful lacemaking tool!

I also love to use ultrasuede as a work cloth when working with continental 
bobbins.  The bobbins don't roll quite as quickly on this, but still move when 
you want them to.  But I've found ultrasuede to be unsuitable for spangled 
bobbins - they really don't move on it very well.

Clay
Clay
--
Clay Blackwell
Lynchburg, VA


 Elaine Chock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 

=
Good morning!

At 07:20 AM 3/5/2006, Jo Falkink wrote:

>Don't be impressed too much by the price of many 
>tools. Most have a cheap alternative. For 
>example bobbins of wood bbq-sticks and old 
>magazines (as poited out already), a string as a 
>bobbin winder, the  "JÄLL laundry bag with stand" of Ikea as a pillow stand.

I hadn't thought about using "string as a bobbin 
winder" for ages!  My first teacher taught me how 
to do this, and for ages I carried a string to 
every class or workshop.  Then I got an 
"official" bobbin winder and forgot all about my trusty string.

I also remember the first time I saw one of those 
"tongue depressor"-type bobbin stackers.  It was 
in Belgium, and I thought it was a really neat 
idea.  I've used them ever since.

I once got a homemade gizmo made of two pieces of 
plastic held together with velcro.  This was 
about the size of a silver dollar, and the 
purpose was to sandwich a bobbin's spangle 
between the plastic so the spangle would be 
protected while using a bobbin winder.

I also have a collection of crocheted bobbin 
holders -- you know, those double-stitch things 
that can store a Continental bobbin in every 
hole.  When pinned to the pillow and covered with 
a tight cover cloth, you can take your pillow 
wherever you go, without having the bobbins 
rearrange themselves when you're not looking.

I live near an IKEA, but it never occurred to me 
to use one of their products as a pillow stand.  I'll have to check it out!

This makes me wonder about other things we've 
learned or discovered as we've gone along.  Does 
anyone else remember a tool or technique that you 
once used and have forgotten about?  Or one that 
you've used so long, and it seems so 
simple/effective, that you take it for granted 
and assume everyone else uses it, too?  Perhaps 
you've invented something yourself to fulfill a 
particular lacemaking need.  It might be fun to share these.

Elaine 

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Barb ETx]

In the same vein, Clay, Coming from a non-fishing family..however a medical
one, I   use hemostats for the same purpose.  Because so many go thru the
autoclaves and then
 discarded for surgical use,  I have acquired a small one, mosquito, regular
size, straight and curved, and one for clamping on to a needle (no grooves).
They are indispensible for most any thread activity.
\
When beginning lacemaking I kept running out of bobbins and  borrowed
teaspoons from the tableware drawer.  Worked just fine.as did honey
dippers or well cleaned chicken leg bones!!!  Sometimes money was scarce.
...the kids liked eating ;-)

Then there is the pin puller that I found in my nail set...I finally went and
bought one just for my lace tool pack...it is a cuticle tool.  Nice tortoise
shell color handle.must have cost a $1.00 at the time. The Revlon printed
on the side is almost worn off!!!.

I like the crocheted tie downs, but i do not make long ones any more.  I made
each to hold 12 bobbins and then used only as many as I need. Before I learned
about these I bought some pretty woven ribbon, stitched some flat elastic on
the back side and pin bobbin in place.  I still like these. much faster .
I use the crocheted tie downs only for long travel. I will try to remember
more...
BarbE
  - Original Message -
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  To: Elaine Chock
  Cc: arachne
  Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2006 12:24 PM
  Subject: Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools


  Years ago, I think it was Steph Peters who introduced us to the hackle plier
which could be used to hold broken threads while repairing, or could be used
when you get to the bitter end of a thread and there isn't enough to hold it
on a bobbin, but there is enough to get to the end of the project!  Eager to
acquire a couple of these, I went off to the fly-fishing shop where I found
them.  I also found something called a "swivel hackle", which was just the
length of a bobbin!  I found that it was perfect for the purpose, and use
those instead of the smaller ones.  Later, at a lace day, I asked Richard
Worthen to use one of his broken bobbins to put a bobbin "handle" in place of
the metal on swivel hackle.  He did, and since then has made and sold hundreds
of them!  Of course, this fits into the category of "handy", but with
Richard's fancy bobbin addition, they are no longer inexpensive!  But you
don't need the bobbin end on it for it to work, and I consider the person who
orig
   inally discovered hackle pliers to have "invented" a wonderful lacemaking
tool!

  I also love to use ultrasuede as a work cloth when working with continental
bobbins.  The bobbins don't roll quite as quickly on this, but still move when
you want them to.  But I've found ultrasuede to be unsuitable for spangled
bobbins - they really don't move on it very well.

  Clay
  Clay
  --
  Clay Blackwell
  Lynchburg, VA


   Elaine Chock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

  =
  Good morning!

  At 07:20 AM 3/5/2006, Jo Falkink wrote:

  >Don't be impressed too much by the price of many
  >tools. Most have a cheap alternative. For
  >example bobbins of wood bbq-sticks and old
  >magazines (as poited out already), a string as a
  >bobbin winder, the  "JÄLL laundry bag with stand" of Ikea as a pillow
stand.

  I hadn't thought about using "string as a bobbin
  winder" for ages!  My first teacher taught me how
  to do this, and for ages I carried a string to
  every class or workshop.  Then I got an
  "official" bobbin winder and forgot all about my trusty string.

  I also remember the first time I saw one of those
  "tongue depressor"-type bobbin stackers.  It was
  in Belgium, and I thought it was a really neat
  idea.  I've used them ever since.

  I once got a homemade gizmo made of two pieces of
  plastic held together with velcro.  This was
  about the size of a silver dollar, and the
  purpose was to sandwich a bobbin's spangle
  between the plastic so the spangle would be
  protected while using a bobbin winder.

  I also have a collection of crocheted bobbin
  holders -- you know, those double-stitch things
  that can store a Continental bobbin in every
  hole.  When pinned to the pillow and covered with
  a tight cover cloth, you can take your pillow
  wherever you go, without having the bobbins
  rearrange themselves when you're not looking.

  I live near an IKEA, but it never occurred to me
  to use one of their products as a pillow stand.  I'll have to check it out!

  This makes me wonder about other things we've
  learned or discovered as we've gone along.  Does
  anyone else remember a tool or technique that you
  once used and have forgotten about?  Or one that
  you've used so long, and it seems so
  simple/effective, that you take it for granted
  and assume everyone else uses it, too

Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[blackwellc]

Hemostats are indespensible!!  I use them when I spangle bobbins...  It's 
almost as good as having another hand!

Clay
--
Clay Blackwell
Lynchburg, VA


 Barb ETx <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 

=
In the same vein, Clay, Coming from a non-fishing family..however a medical
one, I   use hemostats

> hackle plier
which could be used to hold broken threads while repairing, or could be used
when you get to the bitter end of a thread and there isn't enough to hold it
on a bobbin, but there is enough to get to the end of the project!  

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[RYDERPOND]

I've been reading digests for about a month now and would like to introduce 
myself as well as tell you about what I use as a pillow stand.

My name is Sue.   I'm a member of Metro Chapter-IOL and I've been making lace 
with Gunvor Jorgensen as my teacher for almost almost two years.   Last month 
I took a Bucks class with Holly Van Sciver and I'm working through her 
learning lessons while I continue Torchon with Gunvor.

My pillow stand is an old camera tripod which has had the camera mounting 
screw removed and a 16" square of masonite bolted to the top.   An 18" cookie 
pillow fits on top and is held in place by inserting the masonite between the 
pillow's fabric cover and the foam.   I can adjust the height and be 
comfortable 
wherever I sit.   The pillow can be tilted for a more comfortable working 
angle and it swivels as well.

Sue from Englewood, NJ

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Steph Peters]

On Sun, 5 Mar 2006 13:24:09 -0500, Clay wrote:
>Years ago, I think it was Steph Peters who introduced us to the hackle plier 
>which could be used to hold broken threads while repairing, or could be used 
>when you get to the bitter end of a thread and there isn't enough to hold it 
>on a bobbin, but there is enough to get to the end of the project! 

Nope, I'll have to disclaim the credit for that.  I learnt about them from
Jacqui Southworth, who lives in a fishing port, so she's a more likely
source.  Bought mine from the UK Lace Guild at an AGM.  

What I can lay claim to is a picture of my pair for those of you who have
never seen hackle pliers:
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/bobbinlace/hackle.htm
--
Money can't buy everything. That's what credit cards are for.
Steph Peters  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tatting, lace & stitching page 

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[bevw]

On 3/5/06, Elaine Chock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Perhaps
> you've invented something yourself to fulfill a
> particular lacemaking need.  It might be fun to share these.

Not a tool for lace, but a device to hold lace tools - a nicely
finished block of wood, angled at the base like a tiny knife block -
two rectangular slots for scissors, one round slot to upend one's pen
or pencil - but I put my sewing hook in it and my tweezers in the one
narrow slot, and the BL scissors in the other. The tweezers are
multi-purpose and if I didn't have a true home for them would waste
time looking for them. so they live with the sewing hook and BL
scissors. The little block sits on the desk where I work.

I can locate the tool right away, in the little block. If I notice
that the slots are empty, I search the desk in panic until I find them
and restore them to their slot in the block. Occasionally the hook
shares with a pen, but that's allowed ~

The block of wood was given to me by an embroiderer. They had some
made to sell as a fundraiser for the embroidery guild.

--
Bev in Sooke BC (on Vancouver Island, west coast of Canada)
Cdn. floral bobbins  www.woodhavenbobbins.com
blogging lace at www.looonglace.blogspot.com

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Barb ETx]

Another little tool I use and never saw reason to change...
When winding bobbins, I hang the pairs over the edge of a glass canning jar,
one in and one out.  I happen to have some  with the old (but now everywhere)
metal  fasteners..neat 'cause when I am finished and bobbin in use, I close
the top, thread and all to keep the inside clean.  Even the cat hair can't get
in there  Plus  the jar is cobalt so it is pretty.  Lknow that make bobbin
hangers, but this just suits me.
  I also inserted a crochet hook in an old retractable ball point
pen..long before they started selling them.
Barbe

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Patsy A. Goodman]

I'll add this handy item to your list.  A plastic cup, like individual 
servings of applesauce come in.  It's not too high when turned over to cover 
your pins on your lace, and it protects them.  There's just a small lip that 
you can put a corsage pin through on either side to hold it on your pillow.


Patsy A. Goodman

- Original Message - 
I also remember the first time I saw one of those

"tongue depressor"-type bobbin stackers.  It was
in Belgium, and I thought it was a really neat
idea.  I've used them ever since.

I once got a homemade gizmo made of two pieces of
plastic held together with velcro.  This was
about the size of a silver dollar, and the
purpose was to sandwich a bobbin's spangle
between the plastic so the spangle would be
protected while using a bobbin winder.

I also have a collection of crocheted bobbin
holders -- you know, those double-stitch things
that can store a Continental bobbin in every
hole.  When pinned to the pillow and covered with
a tight cover cloth, you can take your pillow
wherever you go, without having the bobbins
rearrange themselves when you're not looking.

I live near an IKEA, but it never occurred to me
to use one of their products as a pillow stand.  I'll have to check it out!

This makes me wonder about other things we've
learned or discovered as we've gone along.  Does
anyone else remember a tool or technique that you
once used and have forgotten about?  Or one that
you've used so long, and it seems so
simple/effective, that you take it for granted
and assume everyone else uses it, too?  Perhaps
you've invented something yourself to fulfill a
particular lacemaking need.  It might be fun to share these.

Elaine

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[robinlace]

And I've known people to use mug trees to drape wound bobbin pairs 
until needed in the pattern.

Robin P.
Los Angeles, California, USA
(formerly  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

- Original Message -
From: Barb ETx <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> When winding bobbins, I hang the pairs over the edge of a glass 
canning jar,
> one in and one out.  

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[Jacqui Southworth]

On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 22:39:28 +, you wrote:


>Nope, I'll have to disclaim the credit for that.  I learnt about them from
>Jacqui Southworth, who lives in a fishing port, so she's a more likely
>source.  Bought mine from the UK Lace Guild at an AGM.  

Thanks for the credit Steph, but I couldn't find any locally because they are 
used in fresh water (fly) fishing. I got mine from somewhere else, but I
can't remember where, and Tamara sent me a pair on a swivel head which are 
really dinky :-)
ttfn Jacqui

Jacqui Southworth, Fleetwood, Lancs, England
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Larkholme Lace - Bobbin Lace Supplies, painted bobbins and tools,books
www.larkholmelace.co.uk
*** Mother's Day and Easter bobbins now available ***

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Re: [lace] Handy and inexpensive lace tools

[blackwellc]

That swivel head hackle from Tamara is like the one I discovered in the 
fly-tying shop!  I gave Tamara one, and between the two of us, we managed to 
briefly clean out the supplies in tackle shops near us and shared them with 
friends all over!

Clay
--
Clay Blackwell
Lynchburg, VA


 Jacqui Southworth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 

=
On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 22:39:28 +, you wrote:


>Nope, I'll have to disclaim the credit for that.  I learnt about them from
>Jacqui Southworth, who lives in a fishing port, so she's a more likely
>source.  Bought mine from the UK Lace Guild at an AGM.  

Thanks for the credit Steph, but I couldn't find any locally because they are 
used in fresh water (fly) fishing. I got mine from somewhere else, but I
can't remember where, and Tamara sent me a pair on a swivel head which are 
really dinky :-)
ttfn Jacqui

Jacqui Southworth, Fleetwood, Lancs, England
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Larkholme Lace - Bobbin Lace Supplies, painted bobbins and tools,books
www.larkholmelace.co.uk
*** Mother's Day and Easter bobbins now available ***

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