Bobbin – Steamer
$15.00
Description
Used when the yarn needed to be steamed to reduce excess twist. Measures 18.5cm long x 4.5cm x 5.5cm top and bottom diameters.
With the introduction of open ended spinning and plastic bobbins, traditional spinning and wooden bobbins from the mid 1800’s to 1950’s, became a thing of the past. Entire textile mill stocks were destroyed, usually by digging giant pits in the ground and filling them with these timber bobbins, or burned in landfills. Bobbins were not even valued as firewood, as their high oil content created hazardous fires that burned out of control. While no one is entirely sure, it has been estimated that three quarters of the wooden bobbins made, many of which were still in use in the 1950’s have been destroyed.
The bobbins you see at Morpeth Antique Centre have come from abandoned textile mills in England, Canada and the USA. As industrial sites were purchased to develop into commercial and residential housing, many pits of landfill bobbins were unearthed. Some were salvaged for vintage sale. Marie & Rod from Sydney company Picket Fence Imports had been importing them to Australia for 30 years until recently, when they were informed there were no more container quantities of bobbins to be had.
Having decided to wind down their business and head into semi retirement, in July 2023, they sold their remaining shoe last, bobbin, soda and milk bottle stock to Morpeth Antique Centre. We have been busy cleaning, shining & loving these industrial textile treasures ever since.
Bobbins are often purchased simply to display in a grouping or basket in your home. They are used by spinners and crafty types to hold their threads, ribbons and yarns. Use as hat blocks, pegs on coat racks, candlestick holders, skipping rope ends, pot plant pedestals, shoe lasts make great door stops.
Wholesale trade enquiries within Australia are welcome.
