How to Change an Empty Lace Bobbin

So, what do you do when one of your lace bobbins runs out of thread? Panic? Throw it out and start over? (No, definitely don't do that) You swap it out for a full one. Here's how...
Super amazing places to shop (not sponsored, just a loooooong time customer):
www.vansciverbobbinlace.com/
www.lacis.com/
Come see me on Instagram!
/ bryce.historically
Music by EpidemicSound.com

[@pay1370]

i just started learning bobbin lace and it's videos like this that make the whole proces a little less dounting for newbies like me, thank you for the amazing tutorial!

[@mewennm4387]

Thank you ou so much. I had a small project where I was running out of a working thread on the edge and I had no idea how I was going to replace it (and to make it all worse my working thread is not the same colour as my passive thread and what my books told me to do was your second solution (more or less) so I didn't know what to do). Your video made me want to continue the project (right now my new bobbin is hanging from a pin next to the project while the whole thing is gathering dust).

[@BryceHistorically]

Oh good, yes don’t give up on the project! There’s always a way. Bobbin lace has a lot of problem solving and thinking ahead several steps to make sure it all works out in the end. I temporarily walk away from projects all the time, so I can come back with new eyes and hopefully a solution that works. That’s where community is so helpful because you can group-think solutions. 😊

[@marycorbet3286]

I love, love, love these tutorials. They’re so clear! And your troubleshooting tips are invaluable. Thank you! I hope you’ll do more - I’d love to see some picots! :-)

[@oniria4276]

oh my goodness what a patience you have

[@joyfulnoise6556]

I love the interaction with you little one!

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do these tutorials. You explain things very clearly and simply. I'll be dusting off my old pillow and giving this another go. (love your little helper at the end!)

[@kathrynwass6422]

I have been binge watching the bobbin lace videos. So fascinating, and I want to start doing them too! I thought your video on how to start new thread when the bobbin gets too short very helpful! I'll be saving this one and I loved seeing your little one helping you. Perhaps another bobbin lace maker in the making!

[@marahsoore6452]

Thank you so much for making these videos. I've been wanting to learn how to make bobbin lace for years and through the stories you mentioned I was able to pick up a starter kit. I've been wondering about how you change up threads so this was a perfect tutorial, thank you!

[@sasheendance]

Very similar to replacing a broken warp thread in weaving! Thank you, your instructions are clear and easy to follow.

[@heroandflor]

Oh! this is so helpful!! Thank you!!

[@joenperkins2138]

I sure hope you do more. I have learned more from you than any book or video. Thank you so much.

[@BryceHistorically]

Thank you! And, yes, many more. 😊 I have 3 very young kids, so I can’t make them as fast as I would like, but they are coming!

[@joenperkins2138]

Bryce Adams little ones first of course. Mine are all gone. Sad. Lol. You are a very good teacher. Thanks again.

[@nilanthiwijemanna2438]

When I was kid I just want know what is it..nice lace ..want to learn how it was make. after 30 years Hear We go..I learn from you..thank you so much for this vedio❤ 😘😊 greeting from Sri Lanka 🙏

[@jaymejones7623]

I agree with the other comments, great video! Thru your videos and others I have been teaching myself bobbin lace, but I haven't found a good explanation on how to use a pin location twice when working a winding path cloth stitch that connects back to the side of the path. Would you please create a video on how to do this? I've seen where another lady used a small crochet hook to pull the thread of a bobbin through to make some sort of a knot but I couldn't get a clear view of what she was doing. Thanks for the videos they help so much!

[@BryceHistorically]

Ok, I’ll add it to the list. 😊 Yeah, so the crochet hook thing is indeed what you do. I pull up one of the threads to make a loop, then thread the other bobbin through that loop, and then pull both down tight so they have equal tension. Often people like to tie the two threads in a simple knot at this point, but personally I think it adds too much bulk, so I don’t. To each his own? Another really good KZbin channel is the Lacemaker’s Diary. He has a few in English, but most are in Italian. Even so, the visual is pretty informative. Hope that helps!

[@FaerieWing]

Thank you so much for these videos 🥺💕 I'm so inspired and can't wait to start learn making bobbin lace, or Klöppelspitze as it's called in German 🤗 you have such a calming voice and I really enjoy the slow pace, long video you do, without many cuts or special things :) Love from Germany 💕

[@BryceHistorically]

Thank you so much! I’m always worried that my videos are too long and too slow, but I figure that you can always fast forward or change the speed, but you can’t slow something down and get more out of it. I’m so glad that you enjoy them. (I love Germany! I play classical mandolin, and my teacher and good friend Caterina Lichtenberg teaches from the University of Cologne. Tschüss!)

[@FaerieWing]

@@BryceHistorically No, they're just perfect, you are very good at talking about what you do, so it doesn't get boring. It's very calming! Classical Mandoline sounds fascinating!! I've been playing the piano but Id really love to learn cello :) also, cologne is a 40 minutes train ride from here so that's awesome! I'm going to make my own bobbin lace pillow as I really really wanted one that has the smaller, moveable roll like your green (I think) one, but the ones I found are so expensive online. I dont think I'll be able to make a pillow like that though, so I'm going for a round one using the video you did making your greyish square one. I'm a little worried about fitting the fabrics around the curve, but I figured with a lot of small tucks it should be fine? What do you think? I think I'm going to have a sage green one... So excited!

[@BryceHistorically]

Oh yes! You can make one like the “cookie” pillow I made in the video any shape you want. Round would work fine, and yes, just put lots of little pleats all the way around. It will be beautiful! Eventually, I will show how I make pillows with the rollers in them, but it will be awhile. 😊

[@FaerieWing]

@@BryceHistorically ohhhh perfect, then I will have some experience and can upgrade to that dream pillow. Don't worry or stress yourself though, any video is a blessing and "alles zu seiner Zeit" (Not sure what that saying is in English... all when the time is good???)

[@Tantail]

@@FaerieWing All in due course, or all in good time!

[@Paakta]

I love your videos they are the best! You really help new lacers a lot. Thank you very much. I would like to know where you got your pillow from? Its really nice looking.

[@BryceHistorically]

Thank you! I made all of my pillows myself. I have a video showing how I make cookie style pillows, and at some point I’ll be making a video showing how I make a roller pillow as well. 😊

[@unicornsinmybelfry2685]

Great info..... I was wondering if there were good bobbins and bad bobbins? I have been shopping them, and there are so many choices. I figured as someone who appears to have a bowl full, maybe you might be the person to ask. =) Also, loved the bit on the end with your tiny person... what a cutie pie. "I'm good how are you ?" Very adorable.... I miss having tiny people. =)

[@BryceHistorically]

Hi! Thanks 😊 So, good bobbins. I started out learning from my mom, and using her pillow and bobbins. When I wanted to go out on my own, as it were, I bought one pair of all the different styles I could find. I was actually convinced that I was going to pursue the English style bobbins, (the straight ones with beaded spangles), but after trying them out all together, I found that I actually preferred the “Continental” style. Having that carved wooden end lifts the bobbin ever so slightly making it easier for me to grasp quickly. I still adore the English bobbins, with all the beaded spangles, and the carved and painted messages and decorations, the personalization and sentimentality that they carry. But, Continental style can also be amazingly beautiful. A whole pillow dressed out in identical or complimentary, heavily carved bobbins just makes my heart smile. So, yeah... I don’t think I can help at all. I’ve never met a bobbin I didn’t like. 😁

[@unicornsinmybelfry2685]

@@BryceHistorically actually that kind of helps... I won't be so worried that I'm going to get ones I hate. Just ones I like better than others. I have been teaching myself various craft things since I was about 10. The English ones I found very pretty with the glass beads. Especially the vintage ones. But now I know it will be a bit like knitting needles and crochet hooks. Try them all until I find the ones I love. Thank you so much for replying. I appreciate that very much.

[@annavictor4813]

Thank you so much for these videos, they are so helpful! I am just starting out with bobbin lace and I was wondering what you do with the bobbins after a project is finished? They still have thread on them but are no longer paired. Should I take the thread off and rewind them or is there another way to join them?

[@BryceHistorically]

I think, technically, yes, you are supposed to rewind them. However, I usually either tie them together and have string tails at the beginning of the piece (you could sew them back into the lace when you are finished), or empty any that are super low and rewind them with half of one that still has a lot on it ... if that makes sense. 😊

[@marianlyons5377]

Hi there, thanks for posting this very useful bid on changing an empty bobbin it has helped me tremendously on my lace journey. Can I ask what type of continental bobbins you are using and the lovely pink thread and where you had them from ? Thanks

[@BryceHistorically]

Wonderful, thank you! Yes, the bobbins came from vanSciverBobbinLace.com She has lots of different continental and English bobbins, and quite a few antique ones as well. 😊

[@shanthinirajapaksha2431]

Thank you very much lovely presentation 👍. Can u tell us How to make a bobbin lace pillow

[@BryceHistorically]

I have 2 videos on that on my channel. 😊

[@lindapesnell5723]

❤️Thank You❤️

[@ellencalteau9228]

Hi, thank you so much for the video incredibly helpful. Are you doing any online classes? Got a fair bit of time on my hands with isolation right now and would love to learn. I've tried from books but I really struggle with understanding. Do you know anywhere that do online training?

[@BryceHistorically]

So, I don’t teach online at this time (too many very young kids 😉). I would recommend calling Holly of Van Sciver Bobbin Lace. Her phone number is on her website and she’s very friendly and very knowledgeable in all things Bobbin Lace. And, I’m pretty sure she does online lessons. Another thing you might do is look around on the IOLI (International Organization of Lace) website. I believe they have a “find a teacher“ section thought you might be able to find someone in your area or someone who’s doing online lessons. But I would definitely start with Holly, personally. Hope this helps. 😊

[@madebylora]

This is really helpful, thank you. Is there a way to replace a thread if one snaps and doesn’t have a long enough length the work 2 threads together? This happened to me on a test piece so I just abandoned it, but worried in case it happens on a real piece.

[@BryceHistorically]

I suppose the best way is to undo about a half an inch of lace and splice or roll the two threads together so that they both travel a little next to each other. Personally I find it very painful to undo lace that I've made, so what I usually do is hang the new bobbin from a pin farther back and let it fill the place of the one that broke and just continue on. Once you have made about an inch or so of lace go back and trim off the tail where it was hung. Hopefully that makes sense. If you would like me to describe it a little better I'd be happy to. 😊

[@madebylora]

@@BryceHistorically perfect, thank you!

[@joanneEJ]

How do you know which bobbin goes where

[@lesleyharris3198]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, skills and time, just working up the courage to start learning how to make the trims ,which would you suggest to start with?

[@BryceHistorically]

Hmmmm. Well, if you’re asking which type of trimming to start with, I’d say the main types are bobbin lace, embroidered, tatting, needle lace, and crochet. Start with whichever one excites you most. Go with your passions and greatest interest because that will carry you through the frustrating parts. If you’re asking which kind of bobbin lace to start with, I’d probably say “Torchon” because I think it’s the most straightforward and the stitches are easy to follow and think ahead with. If that makes sense. 😊

[@lesleyharris3198]

Thanks for your help. I'll have a look at your suggestions, crochet and embroidery are fine, but I've not done any lace work, looking forward to having a go.

[@annereidy7981]

@@BryceHistorically Love your tutorials because they are so full of necessary information and delivered with the knowledge of a master craftsperson.

[@BryceHistorically]

Thank you 😊 I’m always afraid that I’m too long-winded. Like this last one, I spent almost 30 minutes talking about something that could probably have been explained in 4 minutes. I just hope they’re helpfully thorough, and not the longest most boring thing ever. 😂

[@annereidy7981]

@@BryceHistorically Long winded is when what you are saying has no reference to the point, you cannot ever be accused of this, when you know your subject and inhabit it then maybe you may feel you are being long winded, but to those of us who know so little, you are providing detailed information we need but don't know what to ask for!

[@nadiarogo4511]

May I ask something? I see those older bobbins with a "jacket". Like a bit of wood cover around the thin bobbin. What is it for and how to use it? I love your channel so much!!

[@BryceHistorically]

I think what you are talking about are “hooded” bobbins. The thread is wound around the bottom of the bobbin, instead of around the top like most, and then the hood or sleeve is slid down over the wound thread to protect it and keep it clean. 😊

[@nadiarogo4511]

@@BryceHistorically Thank you! Now I get it. :) My pillow and "hooded" bobbins set is coming in the mail soon so that I can try the proper way with your guidance (i already tried with make shift bobbins and it seems fun). Got a tatting shuttle today, too. Learning all new skills :)

[@BryceHistorically]

Wonderful!

[@teknosbeka]

this is so interesting :D

[@thegeminipurity1623]

I just started learning bobbin lace, but I'm really confused about thread sizes and conversions. Please help!

[@BryceHistorically]

Do you mean, like figuring out which thread size goes with what scale pattern you’re making? If you’re working out of a book, often somewhere in the beginning they will have a scale for your pattern and a suggested thread and size. Now thread sizes are indeed extremely confusing because every company has a slightly different way of classifying them. I know that Holly Van Sciver (vanSciverbobbinlace.com) is a really good person to talk to about threads because she carries them and sells them specifically for Bobbin Lace. So if I personally had thread questions that were not covered in whatever book I was reading or getting my patterns from, I would probably go to her first. 😊

[@thegeminipurity1623]

@@BryceHistorically Okay. Thank you so much!