English Midland Lace-making Bobbins

Although most countries in Europe have been making lace for hundreds of years - this little blurb is primarily about English Torchon Lace, and English Midland style bobbins.

I enjoyed lace-making for many years - it's very relaxing and there are so very many aspects of lace-making. I have won several awards and ribbons for my lace and I have taught several classes,  introducing as many people as I can to this wonderful old craft. 

I wish I could say that lace-making has a romantic and gentile history - but the truth of the matter is, that hand-made lace has always been in high demand and one of the industries where child labour was abused extensively before laws were introduced to prohibit such practices.  Because of the extremely fine and delicate linen thread that was used to make lace, it needed to be kept in an atmosphere that was damp and cool, with no sunlight to weaken it and cause it to break, resulting in inferior lace. Most work-houses were dark and cold - a candle in the centre of a vast room, filled with girls and woman, some as young as 3 years of age - water-filled glass globes surrounding the candle to reflect the candle-light. Only the best lace-makers were permitted to sit close to the candle - rows and rows of workers radiating out in a circular pattern as those less-skilled were placed further and further from the slight source of lighting and the only bit of heat. For this, these women and children were paid by the yard, only pennies for enormous amounts and lengths of lace.

Today, lace-making enjoys a resurgence in popularity as more and more people discover this art form - and one of my favorite parts are the bobbins! 

In general, English Midland lace bobbins measure approximately four inches or 10cm in length - and can be found in every exotic and domestic wood that exists, bone, ivory, metal and even glass. The fun part of the bobbin is found at the bottom in the form of a spangle. The spangle serves several purposes but can be as fancy and elaborate as the imagination dictates, although for practical purposes, it's never a good idea to make the spangle much more over about an inch across. The spangle provides just a little bit of weight to keep the thread taut and permits the bobbin to sit on the pillow without rolling all over and tangling. 

Spangles on antique bobbins can sometimes tell stories about the person that owned them - passed on from generation to generation, they carry with them, family history as often, personal items were used as keepsakes and momentos - an army uniform button, a child's tooth - bobbins were often engraved or decorated with the names of loved ones - important dates - they commemorated weddings, deaths, births - they were, in their own time, the equivalent of scrap books. 

My collection of bobbins contains some extremely detailed, ornate, delicate pieces - some bone - mostly ebony - made by some exceptional woodworkers. The climate here is very dry, however - which wouldn't be a problem if I was still able to indulge myself and 'play' with my bobbins and make lace - unfortunately, that's no longer an option, and so my collection is currently up for sale.

For more information about the history of bobbins and spangles, check out any books by Christine and David Springett - definitely in my opinion, experts in this area.