Twelve triangles completed. This is what it looks like now. Interesting how the addition of the triangle pieces makes it a nearly round piece. But it will look different again once I add the border. In fact, it's not going to be a square but an octagon by the time I'm finished.
And I have a question please: does anyone have a brainwave as to how/where I could find myself a LARGE bobbin shuttle (two in fact!)? I'm thinking of making my next piece of tatting with size 10 thread but Aeros don't hold enough (larger sized) thread on their little bobbins, I would have to stop, refill and join too often for my liking. What I'd really like is a LARGE bobbin shuttle. You know, something "Starlit" size maybe? Not "Tatsy" size, that's too large… say "Moonlit" size as a minimum? Jan Stawasz made most of his work with size 10 thread and you can see in his books that his shuttles are large. He uses post shuttles but I'm such a fan of bobbin shuttles and would just LOVE to have a pair of LARGE bobbin shuttles to work with thicker thread.
Oh, and it MUST have a hook at the tip, like an Aero. Any shuttle makers out there maybe?… Hearing my plea…?
I thought about breaking a post shuttle apart and seeing if I could somehow install a bobbin in the middle. Not come up with a working solution yet.
Anyone with ideas?
Help, please!
Best wishes,
Frivole
I've thought the same thing. I wonder if we could get someone with a 3d printer to make one. I would love one too! Anyone clever out there?
ReplyDeleteYour tatting is stunning, strange how the shape changed!
3D printer… now that's an interesting idea...
DeleteYour doily is awesome!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI admire your patience in wanting to continue with this beautiful doily! It looks so wonderful right now - just a few finishing touches would tie it together, so to speak. It's a very attractive piece!
ReplyDeleteI've often thought that a larger bobbin shuttle would be a good idea - not only for larger thread - but for winding on more of the smaller size thread. The larger bobbin would be tricky to make, I'm sure! I don't know if Sally's husband would be interested in taking it on!
Considering how many tatters use and prefer post shuttles, I'm amazed bobbin shuttles were ever invented! I'm specifically thinking of the Boye metal shuttles going back to the 1920s. I'm sure they were considered 'radical' at the time! But obviously they gained in popularity, because in America in the 1950s, these were the only shuttles I ever saw in stores! Certainly the tension has to be perfect on the bobbin, as it can't be too tight or too loose. The flat hook on the Boye was not as efficient as a crochet hook, but it was better than having to stop to pick up a separate hook!
And the Aero copied the 'idea' in plastic - what a fantastic shuttle, that we all took for granted.
The Aero Made in England's were engineering marvels and fortunately the Aerlit's are excellent duplicates. (I appreciate Barbara Foster's efforts in getting them manufactured!)
The bobbin shuttle with a hook is the only way I prefer to tat! So I understand why you also prefer them! However, I finally discovered that a post shuttle is quite useful for avoiding finger tatting in certain circumstances, like the single shuttle split ring, although technically you might say you are still using two shuttles! : )
Kathy, this is very interesting information & history. Thanks for sharing it :-)
DeleteCan only agree with you Kathy and to avoid finger tatting is normally the only time I like to use a post shuttle. I can see that a post shuttle is obviously much easier to make and particularly the fact that there's no need to worry about tension… but for me, a bobbin shuttle is so much quicker as I can unwind as I tat in one seamless motion. I find winding and unwinding of post shuttles so time-consuming!
DeleteNice tatting, I feel your pain, I am using Aida 10 with a starlit and a moonlit. It still feels like I am stopping and winding too often. I do enjoy when JS has a row that works off the ball and I take advantage of that.
ReplyDeleteFirst off this is a beautiful work of art!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have melted on a crochet hook to the larger starlite shuttle but the problem is the bobbin getting one larger to fit the shuttle, my husband said the are bobbin looking things that might fit in a larger shuttle that have wire on them at the hobby stores and your Idea of making one is really good idea I do not use this kind but know some can't tat with out it.
Hi Madtatter, I too have added hooks to all my Starlits (and Tatsys) so that's already an improvement… but now to get one with a bobbin...
DeleteVery beautiful !
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the need for a larger bobbin size , especially when tatting doilies & for the larger rounds, irrespective of whether the thread is a size 10 or smaller.
The largest I got was the sewing machine bobbins on my Favourite steel shuttle which broke last month (it was an old-style Boye perhaps ; don't like the new ones). It finally gave way after decades of valuable service.
Is it possible to use the double-bobbin shuttles in any way ? as a stop-gap/immediate solution. Not much, but it does double the amount of thread wound ....
Double-bobbin shuttles, thank you… I'm looking that up. As you say, would already be better than just one bobbin full...
DeleteOh I'm interested to see what ideas surface. Would be so very useful.
ReplyDeleteYour mat is looking beautiful, a master piece when it's finished.
ReplyDeleteWould a Lacis be big enough for the thinner thread you have in mind I think they make one with a hook end.
Margaret
Thanks Margaret but what I'm after is a bobbin shuttle and Lacis is also a post shuttle, is it not?
DeleteWonderful piece of tatting! Thanks Kathy for her interesting comment.
ReplyDeleteMe too, I had to buy a starlit for size 10 thread but it's a bit hard winding thread on, I think, that kind of plastic is too thick. I haven't thought to a bobbin shuttle though, you helped to remind me when I "made" a double bobbin shuttle with the plastic of a container for fish food! We should try with the right size bottle and an empty plastic thread's bobbin! I'll tell you, lol!!!
Just been playing with making a bobbin from a plastic tube… managed to cut two fingers will doing it! Those craft knives are awfully sharp! Was wondering about putting a bobbin around the post of a Starlit but not proving very successful so far.
DeleteCan you tell me more about the way you made your double bobbin shuttle please?
This post is for you: http://ninettacaruso.blogspot.it/2015/08/double-frivolousness.html
DeleteThank you Ninetta!
DeleteAmazing how the shape of your doily has changed! I like it even more now. Can't help with the shuttle I'm afraid, but I do understand the problem.
ReplyDeleteI found these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-LARGE-SIZE-INDUSTRIAL-SEWING-BOBBINS-JUKI-LU-563-/390174928685
ReplyDeleteBut you'd still have to design a shuttle and hook to fit them.
These look very interesting, thank you Maureen. The hook is not a problem but yes, I'd need to design a shuttle to go around the bobbin… I'm thinking of getting some of these bobbins to try...
DeleteI have a large bobbin shuttle made by Dave Stanbrough at Grizzly Mountain Arts. However, it is quite large and it does not have a hook. Otherwise, I've not seen any large bobbin shuttles. Good luck in your search!
ReplyDeleteNeed to find out more Diane. I'm writing to you!
DeleteSo glad Diane had one and she posted a picture for you I didn't know they existed, Hope you can get one :) looks like he made the spool too!
DeleteYes, thank you very much for showing me Diane!
DeleteHi Ellen, but the large shuttle that HH sells are all post, are they not?
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning work!
ReplyDeleteA dear departed friend used to bend an old Boye metal shuttle so it would hold a wider sewing maching bobbin. That would get you a few more yards per wind. I'm like you, addicted to bobbin shuttles with hooks.
That's an idea Martha, I do have a couple of metal shuttles… and I've just ordered some larger bobbins.
DeleteHi Ellen, a post shuttle has a fixed post in the centre around which you wind your thread (Clover, Starlit, Tatsy). A bobbin shuttle has a detachable bobbin on which you wind the thread (Aero, Boye, Aerlit, Pop-a-Bobbin).
ReplyDeleteI really prefer bobbin shuttles but nobody makes them in a large size like some post shuttles.
I don't know if you're familiar with the unique GR-8 wood shuttles with metal bobbins that are made by Randy Houtz. The bobbins are wider than the Aero and Aerlit bobbins, and he even makes shuttles with double bobbins. They are beautifully crafted.
ReplyDeleteThis is his web site: http://www.gr-8shuttles.com/shuttles.shtml
Wow! That is lovely so far :). I look forward to seeing the border :).
ReplyDeleteWhat about the shuttles Jeff Erickson is currently selling? Just ask him if he can fit in a wider bobbin?
ReplyDeleteElite Creation https://www.etsy.com/listing/249872345/large-bobbin-shuttle-holds-at-least-18?ref=shop_home_active_11 is their listing for a large (size M bobbin) shuttle. I have a green acrylic one that holds an entire spool of Krenik metallic size 8 thread.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Susie. I had contacted them in the past but didn't know they have now come up with a larger bobbin version. I'll go check it out! :-)
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