It’s cool but what is it?
Just the other day, Chris from Connecticut contacted us here at Halcyon Yarn and asked for help identifying a piece of equipment and now we’re asking for your help. Picked up at an estate sale, it was obvious this little gizmo gadget was used in weaving, but for what exactly?
So here’s Halcyon’s thought, it’s a device designed to distribute yarn on a shuttle bobbin evenly and automatically, but how does the thread get drawn onto the bobbin? Amos thinks it’s part of a larger device that weaves (rope?) by transporting the shuttle/bobbins along the curved tracks…
What do think? Has anyone seen this before? Leave a comment and share your thoughts. Let us know in the comments, or head on over to our Facebook page and leave a note. Who knew life at a yarn shop could be so mysterious!
Straight bobbin case without base may be for weaving ribbon, but curved bobbin case with carrier (“base”) is definitely for a circular braiding machine. Used to make flat (odd number of strands) or hollow-core (even number of strands) braids such as shoe laces, or covered inner strands like 16 carrier parachute suspension line. See patent # 4,803,909; or wiki for “braiding machine.” Gear-driven carriers move on a circular track while bobbins move between carriers. Modern metal ones are very loud. Antique wooden bobbin is removable and case includes thread tension spring & thread guides.
I know this is an old post but I know what this is, there would be up to forty of these on a batten of a narrow fabric weaving loom, it was a way of saving space and getting more tapes per loom, I used to manufacture zipper tape on such a loom back in the 1960s.
Mike Heafield
Wow – thanks for sharing your knowledge that’s fascinating!
Thanks! Just found one in an antique store today and research brought me to this post.
That’s great! Feel free to share a picture if you have one… it is so interesting to see what has changed in the world of fiber tools, and sometimes what hasn’t!
Embroidering Names on labels.
While researching my item, I found you. I wanted to learn more, but it turns that I already know. My little (st. louis arch) has a paper tag with it. “this small shuttle, a part of a narrow fabric loom, was used for weaving labels. it is a find example of invention and workmanship in wood, once found in textile mills. Ma’s Bobbin Works Sudbury MASS 01776.”
I have two without the bottom parts that look similar but are straight and not curved. Picked them up at a yard sale years ago. They have the name RIEHL & SON stamped on them so I googled this and there is information about this former company in Philidelphia. I wonder if any of the former mills and/or museums there have more information? Would love to know just how they were used…a lovely piece of woodcraft.
I agree with Judy G. I also have several of these,all purchased in my home town area of Philadelphia. In the first half of the 20th century—when every well-dressed man wore a hat outdoors–Stetson had a huge factory in Philadelphia. (My husband’s spinster great aunt worked there.) Each felt hat would have a smooth ribbon about an inch wide at the base. I assume that ladies hats would have the more colorful ones…..
I purchased pieces similar to this at Fanuell Hall in Boston in the early 80’s (at a cart that also had brass lace bobbins from England).
Recently my daughter bought me one (without the base) at Friends Collectibles in Pennsylvania Amish country. It said that they were used for weaving lace,hat bands and ribbons from approximately 1880-1910. Some were from “Stetson Hats in Philadelphia at the turn of the century when hats with decoration were in fashion….The style and shape of each shuttle depends upon the width and type of ribbon the shuttle would weave”.
Yes, it’s a shuttle for weaving ribbon. I’d love to see one in use.
I had a similar one that I purchased in Uxbridge Mass. and was told that is was involved in weaving ribbons.
It’s a shuttle for ribbons and tapes. A few years ago Family Heirloom Weavers in Red Lion, PA had a whole bunch of the shuttles for sale in their shop, but the last time I was there I didn’t see them any more. Anyways, the first time I visited their shop I bought some, and the owner’s dad was there that day, and he showed me how the bobbin was threaded in the shuttle. He used a special long bent wire with a hook on the end, and had to laboriously maneuver it through a convoluted path to get it threaded.
Family Heirloom Weavers continues to use old jacquard looms to make reproduction textiles and carpeting for historic sites and museums.
Wow – fun to see what they look like on the loom – would love to see that loom in action.
I have one, too. The label on it says “This small shuttle, a part of a narrow fabric loom, was used for weaving labels. It a fine example of inventiona in workmanship in wood, once found in textile mills.
Ma’s bobbin works, Newcastle, Maine
a shuttle for weaving ribbons/labels –
http://www.workshopoftheworld.com/introduction/tours/wagner.html
I was also told that they were used to weave labels.
I was told they were used to weave labels. The ribbon comment may not be too far off either… labels are woven on a ribbon of sorts.
Rosie
Thank you Cindie! I think you must be correct. There are some great photos of similar shuttles here:
http://www.greatamericanweaving.com/facility.html
Thanks again! Amos
How great to see this! I have a collection of them, most without the bottom part, that I have picked up in antique stores, or they have been given to me by people who know that I weave.
But I don’t know what they are or what they do. The ribbon weaving idea is a good one.
I would love to know about them or know where to look. Up information.
Eleanor
I have one and I was told, although it may or may not be correct, that it was part of a larger device used in weaving ribbons. Would love to know if that’s true……