Every bobbin tells a story of your life
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People will give you a bobbin for a present, you will buy bobbins at events or to remember things that have happened in your life. Eventually uour bobbins will become a map of your life.
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Choosing your bobbins
You need to find bobbins which feel right for you. This is about how they handle when you wind them and also how they handle when you use them to make lace. I use a mix of east midlands bobbins (the ones with the beads on the ends) and continental bobbins (the ones without beads on them) depending on what I'm making and also my mood. Your first bobbins
You need to find bobbins which feel right for you. This is about how they handle when you wind them and also how they handle when you use them to make lace. For your first bobbins, choose a good plain bobbin that is a medium size. I strongly recommend SMP's standard classic bobbins. They are my go to bobbin when I want to start someone off on lacemaking and a pack of 50 will give you all your need for your first months of lacemaking. |
Previously, I've recommended Winslow Bobbins however they are retiring from 2020 so get in fast if you want to try their basic bobbins out.
If you can, go to a lace day or suppliers event and pick up the bobbins. Ask your lacemaking friends (nicely) if you can handle their bobbins to get an idea about different makers.
I use a mix of east midlands bobbins (the ones with the beads on the ends) and continental bobbins (the ones without beads on them) depending on what I'm making and also my mood.
If you can, go to a lace day or suppliers event and pick up the bobbins. Ask your lacemaking friends (nicely) if you can handle their bobbins to get an idea about different makers.
I use a mix of east midlands bobbins (the ones with the beads on the ends) and continental bobbins (the ones without beads on them) depending on what I'm making and also my mood.
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My bobbin site
I have created a website where I collate information on my bobbins. For me, my bobbins are very personal and explain my relationship with my mother, my husband and a few close friends who have bought me bobbins over the years. Some of the bobbin makers and painters are no longer with us or making bobbins, however you will often find bobbins come up for sale on ebay by them so it's a great resource to help you identify different makers. Have fun wandering through the pages. Interested in learning more about modern bobbins? Then join the facebook group - Lace Bobbins - Find the Maker |
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Bobbin a Month Clubs
The best bobbin advice I have ever received was back when I started in 1989 and was from Shelia Perin of SMP Lace. I was trying to work out how to afford pillow, bobbins, books ... well everything and she told me to get my basic bobbins so I could start making but find a maker I really liked and sign up to their bobbin a month club. Her advice was to buy the most expensive bobbin I could so that in years to come I had built up a collection that meant something to me. Even if you just buy one bobbin a month," Shelia said, "at the end of the year you will have 6 beautiful pairs of bobbins, then at the end of the next year, 12 pairs and so on." I've been making lace for over 30 years. I now have a fantastic collection of bobbins. |
You choose your maker or painter. Then choose either a list of individual bobbins or perhaps a set. Contact the maker / painter with your list and payment details and sit back and wait for your bobbin each month.
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Want to make your own bobbins?
Then have a go. Brenda Paternoster (she of the fantastic 'Threads of Lace' reference book) has great instructions on her site to make paper bobbins, whilst Jenny Brandis has a video showing how to make bobbins using skewers and beads. |
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Bobbin Suppliers
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SMP Lace
My goto bobbins for starting out are SMPs standard classic bobbins. They have a great feel, are a good weight and length. Everything you need in a starter bobbin. Or push the boat out and treat yourself to some of their named woods. |
Chris Parsons
Chris Parsons offers turned and painted bobbins including his wonderful pewter inlaid and now silver bobbins. Chris also takes commisions for bespoke painted bobbins and offers a bobbin a month Club |
Eddy Faber
Eddy started selling his bobbins back in 2017. Eddy adds interesting touches to this bobbins by including semi precious beads to the body. Eddy is inspired by both classic and antique bobbins to create his wonder bobbins. He also has carries a limited stock of antique bobbins. |
Alison Tolson
Alison paints beautiful bobbins. Simple. She accepts commisions and can offer a range of bobbin shapes and images. Alison also carries basic lacemaking supplies if you would like her to attend a lace day. |
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Bespoke Watercolour Bobbins by Dee Carver
Dee Carver creates beautiful watercolour pictures, in minitature on lace bobbins. You can reach her through her facebook page or by email. Dee offers both a commission service and a bobbin a month club. fanglewop@gmail.com |
Stuart Johnson
Stuart creates some beautiful bobbins in a variety of materials, include bone bobbies with rhinestones / crystals on them. He also supplies fan sticks Stuart's website has limited bobbins on it however he carries far more when he attends shows. It's worth contacting him to find out if he will be at an event near you. |
Acorn Bobbins
I particularly love Acorn bobbins bone bobbins with inlay. I have some beautiful pairs with dragonflies and bull rushes on them. Acorn Bobbins run a bobbin a month Club called the Bobbin Bank. |
Sarah Jones
I have been lucky enough to belong to Sarah's bobbin a month club for many years. I particularly love her tulips and fushcias. Sarah offers a bobbin a month club. |
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Margaret & David Davis
Whislt they don't have a website, they do attend lacedays and offer a mail order service so it's worth dropping them a line by email. David also creates wonderful prickers, pin lifters and bobbin stands. md-lace-bobbins@tiscali.co.uk |
A R Archer Bobbins
Still one of the most sort after bobbins for their intricate bone bobbins. Archer bobbins offer painted and pierced bobbins. Truely heirloom to own. Archer bobbins offer a bobbin a month Club. |
Margaret Wall
Margaret has produced licensed Beatrice Potter bobbins for a number of years and her bobbins are cherished by a number of lacemakers. Margaret attends lace days and fairs and can be contacted by email mwallbobbins@aol.com |
Six Penny Bobbins
Mike and Agnes create such lovely bobbins which is no suprise as Agnes is a lacemaker so understands what we love in a bobbin. They use some fantastic out of the ordinary woods and laminates to create unusual bobbins. They are also on facebook. |
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Jenny & Graham Hudson
Graham's wood turning matched with Jenny's painting create some beautiful bobbins and divider pins. Whilst they do attend lacefairs, they don't have a website so it's best to contact them by email. hudsonbobbins@gmail.com |
Harlequin Lace
When Winslow Bobbins retired, earlier this year, Harlequin Lace stepped into the breach and produce the iconic 'winslow' style bobbin. The have continued with the tradition of bobbins with phrases and sayings. |
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Janet Retter
Janet's delicate watercolours are a delight to own and use. She offers whimsical and lifelike designs. Janet offeres a commision service where she will recreate your photo onto a bobbin. |