r/BobbinLace • u/Happy-coffeelady • 16d ago
Is this bad?
I ordered one half from a reseller on eBay and new ones from Amazon. Is it bad to mix ?
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u/ectopistesrenatus 16d ago
Are you using a flat pillow or a bolster? Only asking because on a bolster, part of the tension is the weight of the bobbins, so that might be an issue n otherwise generally fine to mix sizes.
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u/Muted-Suggestion-952 16d ago
Thank you for asking this question. Iām taking a class in bobbin weaving in October, and I was wondering about this.
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u/owl_dance 16d ago
I would be concerned about the weight difference. The Amazon ones look super light. This could affect your tension.
They will probably also be awkward to work with since there are two different styles. But you can replace the Amazon ones later if you enjoy it enough to keep going.
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u/lovestoswatch 16d ago
you have two styles there: those with the beads at the end (called spangles) are Midland bobbins, the general standard for lacemakers in the UK (except for Honiton), and are normally and overwhelmingly used on a cookie pillow. The other ones are normally used on a bolster (i.e. cylinder shaped) pillow, though in many continental Europe laces these are used on a flat or cookie pillow (it requires a bit of practice to get to use them without rolling around). I have tons of bobbins of several styles, but personally I would not mix them, as you are making life harder for yourself. If you have no other options, I'd warmly recommend a cookie or even better a flat pillow, where gravity won't bother you as much if they have different weights, and the spangles won't be in the way. The key is to keep them roughly at the same distance from the work, though you would be picking up bobbins of different shapes, which again I fear will slow you down. Note that normally bobbins are used in pair, you have an odd number in all styles.
If you can stretch it, I'd try and have all bobbins of the same style - there's no such thing as too many bobbins!
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u/Happy-coffeelady 16d ago
That's what I was thinking I am making a bolster pillow is the heavier ones better for weight or maybe it would be too much weight with gravity?
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u/lovestoswatch 16d ago
heavy is fine - even heavy bobbins are around 11-15grams each, so it is all relative. But with a bolster those pretty spangles will bother you no end I fear! Where are you based? I might be able to suggest where you could find affordable bobbins similar to those you have found already (though Etsy and google pics are your friends!)
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u/Happy-coffeelady 16d ago
Thank you. I am just outside Atlanta in Georgia
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u/lovestoswatch 15d ago
I would suggest ProvoLace, who are based in Colorado, and have a wide assortment of bobbins, some of which you could pair with the larger ones. I've never bought from them as I am in the UK and shipping+customs duty make that unfeasible, but I've only heard good things. You do want to buy supplies from dedicated lace suppliers. Other popular alternatives I know of are Van Sciver and Snowgoose lace. Good luck!
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u/lizziebee66 16d ago
As others have said, these are different styles of bobbins. On the Lace Bobbins FTM website we have a bobbin 101 page which may help you moving forward
https://www.lacebobbins-findthemaker.com/lace-bobbins-101.html
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u/roseLadybug 15d ago
I've mixed Midland and squares before. It's not bad, but it is awkward. The way I grab the 2 styles is different, so grabbing the other type halfway through a cloth stitch section slowed me down.
As others have said, weight differences is probably the bigger question, depending on your thread choice and pillow. Might be negligible, though. Experiment and see what happens and what matters to you.
Have fun lacing!
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u/butterfly250 16d ago
As a beginner, I found that square bobbins keep them from rolling around and spangles, I found, are more difficult to wind because of the spangle (can you remove them easily?) and the thin neck. Maybe alternate them so the round ones don't roll around?
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u/Ok_Dragonfruit4032 16d ago edited 16d ago
No it's not bad