Quills, shuttles, spools and bobbins

Recently it was GREAT to catch up in Melbourne with my SA buddy Barb! Barb and I first met in 1991...mmm thats many years ago.   ;-)   Barb surprised me with a pressie... 

...an old quill - wound with blue cotton with a painted blue top to match...with lovely metal fittings each end. It combines all my favourite elements - its old - its blue - and its a piece of history too! Thanks again Barb xoox
The attached tag gives some historical information about quills and their uses in the many mills that were once common in England and the USA. In recent years so many of these mills, that have been in operation for generations, have closed their doors and manufacturing has been sent to Asia. People are laid off and the towns built around the mill industry are changed forever. We have seen similar events happen here in Oz. Very sad.
This is the connection to Picket Fence Imports - where my bobbin came from. Haven't they got some fascinating items. Check out the 300 piece bobbin basket!! Hm wouldn't mind that book "The World of Wooden Bobbins" so I could learn more about them....
(They also have wooden shoe lasts. I collect them as well...save that for another day..)

Some of the spools I have collected have the name of the mill where they came from on them. Here is the base of one of my latest ones...a quick google tells me that Clifton Heights is in Delaware County in Pennyslvania. Is this where my spool worked - at this now abandoned mill? oh and then stumbled across this fantastic site "when life was black and white" and really loved it - lots of old pics - great snapshots of the time - how precious! make sure you read Deuteronomy 32:7 too...

they are all so different... I guess that's what makes them so interesting..

Here are a couple that my FIL gave me. They are about twice the size of the usual domestic ones and they both still have their original sturdy twine...

This is my little collection of domestic wooden bobbins. I like to read their old labels. My fav is the big one on the far left. It reads "Made in Australia by Bonds Industries Layton Street Camperdown NSW." I use these a lot in my pattern cover photos. The black J & P Coats is another fav one - but they all get their turn ;-)

This is my largest one. I found it at Wantirna Trash N Treasure earlier this year. I am not a big fan of turning these wonderful relics into corny stuff like lamp bases and all of the other things that they end up as...I think they should just be left alone and appreciated for what they are - but this one had already been doctored and it was only $2. Still haven't got around to finding the right shade for it...borrowed this one just for the photo.

And these ones are really special to me because when Pa had a large woodturning business in Morrabbin - he made these for lace making. They are beautifully turned and ssoo smooth to touch. I remember watching these being made. 

My desire to collect these items is linked to my childhood surrounded by wood as a woodturners daughter, my love of designing and stitching, and a desire to appreciate and learn more about the past.
xo Catherine

P.S. here is a wonderful place to lose yourself for a while...

Millpictures

Comments

[Carrie P.]

Cool Collection. I have a few bobbins that I have wound ribbon and rick rack onto.
I like the way you displayed the spools so you can see the papers on top.

[Barbara]

Hey Cath,

Glad you like the bobbin. By the way I have seen 2 copies of that book at a shop at Burnside, and they also sells some of those bobbins. It's a different shop to where I bought yours. The book is approx. $26 I think. I thought of you when I saw it. If you would like a copy let me know. The shop where I bought your bobbin is having a 20% of everything sale. Thought you might like to know. They had large bobbins as well.

Barb xo

[Robert]

Hi Catherine,

Oh wow, you too! I also have quite a huge collection of quills, shuttles, spools, bobbins, plus old roving cans in assorted colours, yarn and thread winders, vintage fabric swatches etc., etc., etc., and even photos I made of various old mill buildings that have closed over the years and the mill villages too! Also have lots of historical documentation about some of the old mills collected over the years as well. :o)

Thanks for the tip on the book, "The World of Wooden Bobbins" - I may have to check into this!

And as always, you have another great collection of photos (with a history) here and the props are just perfect too!

Cheers!
Robert

[Sandy]

Hello Catherine,

I always enjoy reading your blogs, they are always so interesting with the history background. I LOVE the lamp!

Thanks

[Julz at Simple Stitches]

Hi Cath, wow, what a collection...just love those old wooden spindles, although I don't have any at the moment....one day....
cheers Julz

[Joy]

Fabulous treasures Cath ... I love anything with a bit of history behind it too ;o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)