Roy's Hobby Page
My wife belongs to two lacemaking groups in our area. Five Rivers Bobbin Lacemakers
and The Pittsburgh Lace Group.
The groups are interested in preserving the history of lace making and
demonstrate the craft as it was practiced before lace was produced by
machines. . Most of the
members participate in historical demonstrations at
craft shows, history fairs and Renaissance festivals. My wife demonstrates
hand-made bobbin
lace making and I demonstrate bobbin turning on a wood
lathe. We are usually in costume depicting the 16th or 17th century when
hand-made lace was more valuable than gold in some European countries.
Lacemakers' bobbins wound and ready to be worked into a pattern on a
lacemakers' pillow.
The bobbins are hung on brass pins on a lacemakers' pillow and a pattern
is used.
By twisting and crossing the bobbins the linen thread is woven into lace.
The results of the lacemakers work can be seen in this bookmark. This type
of lace is called Torchon. It takes about one hour to make one square inch
of lace.
The glass beads on the bottom of the bobbins are called spangles
and are used to hold tension on the thread and
prevent the bobbins from rolling on the pillow.
I have made hundreds of bobbins but I have
never sold any. It is strictly a hobby and I really enjoy giving bobbins
as gifts to our friends and other lacemakers all around the world.
I have
sent bobbins to friends in Canada, England, Wales, Germany,Austrailia and even the exotic far-off
land of California!
I make most of my bobbins from exotic hardwoods like cocobolo, morado, ebony,
purple heart, Brazilian tulipwood and bubinga. Other hardwoods also work
well. I have used walnut,
cherry and maple. I have several bobbins made from our old apple tree and
have also used tulip, pear and osage orange.
The most popular bobbins are probably bone bobbins. They turn just like
hardwood with regular turning tools
and when finished are as smooth as glass. They are the most expensive to
produce and are highly
prized by lacemakers.
This is the lathe I use when I demonstrate. I made it from oak and parts
from the hardware store. The power comes from a flywheel from
an old Singer treadle sewing machine.
It works like a dream. When operating at top speed it has been measured at
2000 rpm. I have used it for six years and haven't made so much as
a minor adjustment. I replace the drive belt when it breaks and oil the moving parts. That is the only maintenance it has ever needed.
This is a picture of the lathe set up and ready for use at the 1997
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. This event is one of our favorites. If you've never been to a festival
like this one I highly recommend that you go. Look for us at the Lacemaker's Cottage. See you there!
Email: monami222@hotmail.com
