Thought you'd like to see some shuttles today. Not those being sold in my Etsy shop later but two I bought off Ebay a week or so ago.
One was bought for a friend who often finds that Ebay sellers won't ship to her country so I bid on them (sometimes she does) and the seller ships to me. We settle up with each other and I mail hers items on. Then I spotted another one and put a bid on for myself. The one on the left is the one I bought and the one on the right is now on the way to the friend.
Several interesting things to note about the differences. Neither has the green ribbon which the shuttles always used to have on the hooks when I bought them brand new back in the 1960/70's. Always useful when you wanted to find the little stinkers as they spent their lives (the hooks) hiding from me down the side of sofas and chairs.
The font used on the two packets is very different too. It makes me think the one on the left is a lot newer than the one on the right. I love the instructions on the right hand one. In the many, many years I used the Milwards I never ever had any problems with them. To think that they were made such a short distance from where I live is also amazing as that never occurred to me 'back then'.
I see there are several patent numbers on the one packet too (747, 745 and 746) and on the other is the postcode.
Now me being a nosy old git I just HAD to google that postcode and it appears that the factory site is now a housing estate. Nothing new there, then!!!!
Ah, now I know what the little wire hooks were for that I find knocking about the place :o)
ReplyDeleteI have the same one on the left - inherited with many tatting supplies. I wondered what it was like to actually tat with - it's so very light and seems like it would crack/break easily. I've left it on the card as display with other old sewing/tatting notions.
ReplyDeleteWell, Cindy, I didn't ever have one break when I used them all the time. The design seems to make them very solid. Wish there were some like them nowadays and I'd maybe go back to using a post shuttle again!!!
ReplyDeleteI've got one too!!! The hook is fastened with the rest of the hooks on my 'dogchain' hook thingy.... One day I'm going to tat a lanyard for it!! The shuttle I still use as well!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Milward shuttles are my all time favorite post shuttle, especially when using 80 thread. I'm fortunate to own two. I saw the two on ebay but my budget said "No." Happy to see someone deserving got them. Karen in OR
ReplyDeleteI remember those shuttles! I might have one around here somewhere from when I first started tatting and was trying all kinds to find out what would work best for me.
ReplyDeleteI’ve tatted with these shuttles (among others) for forty years and never had a problem with them. I had two, handed down from my mother, but only one hook, for which I HAVE tatted a lanyard. Unfortunately, said lanyard was tatted years ago before I had any need for reading specs and I now find it too short to wear around my neck. Recently, whilst helping my mother sort a few things out I spotted - the missing hook! Bliss! I’ve never found a better hook and always worried what I’d do should I lose it. So, a near future tatting task will have to be another, LONGER lanyard.
ReplyDeleteAh, Sheila I loved the Milwards for many years. They were the only type on sale in the local shops when I was 13 which was 60+ years ago so there was no choice. I loved the hooks too but they went years ago. Then I 'met' the Aero England shuttle which they bought out next. The ones with the bobbins. I didn't like those at first until a few years later when I found a different way to load the bobbin into the shuttle worked well for me and I didn't 'catch' the hook on the thread anymore. I prefer the Milward hooks (IF I had any!!) but like not having to hunt for a hook with the Aeros!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've just come into possession of a Milward shuttle new in the packet which says "PAT. APPLIED FOR"
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Congratulations unknown. That must’ve been a very early one. Treasure it. To think I had lots when I was a kid and would never have dreamt that they would become a collector’s item! Makes me feel old!
ReplyDeleteJane have you ever noticed that some of the Milwards are brilliant white and black and then there are ones that are ever so slightly larger and cream and black?
ReplyDeleteWell I didn’t know that, Liyarra. I’ll check mine when I get home.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of old sewing stuff for sale including tatting shuttle with green ribbon looking for a sensible offer for it all and a lot of the old patent if interest email me and we can chat more ty
ReplyDeleteWell, unknown, the shuttle is probably a Milward as the hooks did have a green ribbon on. How interesting. You’ll have to email me as I can’t access your email address.
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