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