TUTORIAL: How To Spangle Lace Bobbins - Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Lace bobbins come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are pointy, some have bulbous ends, and some have beads attached to the ends. I mainly use the beaded bobbins which are known as Midland Bobbins. They’re called Midland Bobbins because this type of bobbin was commonly used in the Midlands of the UK. They can be made from wood, bone or even glass and metal, and all have a ring of beads hanging from the ends. The hanging beads are known as Spangles and are needed to add extra weight to the bobbins. Lacemaking requires good tension of the thread, and a bit of weight on the bobbins helps keep the thread taut. The Spangles also help stop the bobbins from rolling around on the pillow. Some bobbins come with spangles already attached, however most come without. A lacemaker needs to be able to spangle their bobbins because sometimes the wire breaks. It’s also an opportunity to add colour and personality to your bobbins. You will need bobbins, beads and some spangling wire. This can be bought from lace suppliers, but picture framing wire works well, as well as other thin, flexible wire. Pliers are very useful too. This video shows the process in five easy steps: • 1. Cut the wire to length. A few centimetres longer than your beads. • 2. Thread beads onto the wire. • 3. Thread the end of the wire through the hole in the end of the bobbin. • 4. Twist the ends of the wire together tightly. • 5. Snip off the ends and poke the ends through either the bobbin hole or a bead hole. Beads of all sorts can be used. You do not always need glass crystal or ceramic beads. Some old bobbins have buttons on their spangles. I have plastic ones from toy beading kits, beads from broken necklaces and bracelets, and a pair of dangling beaded earrings can be twisted together to make a spangle too. I have made three pairs of my old earrings into spangles. Resources & Connect 📸 Follow my work on Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/tready_make... and on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TreadyMakes?u... 🛍️ Buy some of the lace that I make: https://treadymakes.etsy.com ☕️ Buy me a coffee as I help keep this beautiful traditional craft alive: https://ko-fi.com/treadymakes If you enjoyed watching this process, please give this video a Like and Subscribe for more traditional bobbin lace content! #BobbinLace #LaceMaking #TraditionalCraft #FiberArts #HeritageCrafts #threads #tutorial #spangling #books #lacebobbin #mindfulcrafting