Friday, November 13, 2015

The Early Workbasket ~ Thread Winders

Hello, hello, hello, to everyone on this fine
Friday in November...just realized it's 
Friday the 13th!

 ♦

As many of you know, I'm very passionate about collecting
antique sewing notions, so the idea popped into
my head to start a weekly Friday segment
featuring all the different goodies that
would have been found in an early
workbasket...


"The Early Workbasket"

Please join me every Friday, to learn the history, terms,
techniques, and lots of examples of the featured
topic of the week.

Today's topic is ~

Thread Winders...

Winders were made for winding thread around before
reels were invented.  They came in a great variety of designs
and materials, in flat shapes with points to wind the thread around.
Snowflake shapes in mother~of~pearl are often found in
old sewing sets and boxes.


Three matching primitive early wooden handmade
winders by J. Henley dated 1902.




Rare, intricately worked bone winder on a handle, 
19th century.




Beautiful Sterling Silver with floral viney design.




Another Sterling Silver winder, from a French sewing box,
circa 1910.




Here is a good example of how the thread was wound
around a snowflake shaped winder.




Or, the thread could be wound in a simple fashion.




Delicate mother~of~pearl silk winders from a 
Palais Royal Box.  Circa 1800




Mother~of~pearl winders for silk thread.  These examples show
 some of the enormous variety of patterns and designs available
 for collecting.  Shapes include a Maltese cross, four leaf clover
 and star.  These are of Chinese origin and are engraved with
 figures and scenes.  Early 19th century.



These winders are also for silk thread and are made from a
variety of materials.  circa 19th century.




Vegetable ivory box with vegetable ivory thread winders.



Ivory fretwork winders are exquisite works of art.  One has been
 made with initials "LD"worked into the pattern. 
Late 18th/early 19th century.

Hope you enjoyed today's topic!


I love the short drive to our neighboring state of 
Minnesota, because I get to drive past a farm
the raises ducks and geese...


The water has to be pretty cold this time of year, 
but they don't seem to mind!




The rippling reflection on the water made it hard to get
a clear picture. 



They look so relaxed and happy in their own little world!



I love the unique floating nesting boxes that this farmer
build for his special flock of friends.


Weekend Soul Food...

"Abide in me, and I in you.  
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

John 15:4...KJV


Enjoy a wonderful weekend!
Kindly, Tammy


7 comments:

  1. Interesting history on thread winders....great pictures of your travels blessings for a wonderful weekend....

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Early Workbasket is a neat idea Tammy. Very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would have never known in a million years what those things were if I saw them in an antique store.
    I will love your new feature as I just love old sewing things. I only have a few but they are such a source of enjoyment. The ducks were really interesting too. I would never think of putting duck nests like that.
    Have a lovely weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for sharing. I am not familiar with these. I look forward to your weekly sharing of knowledge.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tammy: Love your Verse choice this post.
    I like the pictures with the reflection, so beautiful.
    Thank-you for the Friday post about thread winders, are they all yours.

    Blessings
    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine,

      No, not all the thread winders are from my collection, thank you for asking! Have a sweet day, Tammy

      Delete
  6. Oh how I love the thread winders...especially drawn to the primitive wooden ones...just beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete