It's years since I've been tempted to buy new work horses!!! OK, I do buy shuttles for my collection from time to time but I'm not an avid collector. I just dabble at it. Good job too as IF I'd started collecting when I started tatting there'd be no room in the house for ME!!!
So, when I saw these new bobbin shuttles on somebody's blog I decided I definitely needed them. I bought them from Japan but that was probably faster than buying them from 'just down the road'. They arrived well within a week which is amazing. I think they're available in America but no signs of them yet in the UK.
Now for how I feel about them just over a week later. Well they're yummy. I love the fine pick which I'm still getting used to (being a hook type of gal) but even more I love that I actually only need two shuttles like this as you can take the bobbins out and put them in the little holder thingy and the thread doesn't come undone. Brilliant mind thought of that. What's SO clever is that this holder can be held and the bobbin can be put on the little 'nub' on the side to wind it.
The shuttles feel really good too and, looking at the centres, they're made quite a bit differently to the Aero/Aerlit. It'll be interesting to see if they hold up to the use they'll get from me before they start to become loose!!! There's one little thing I don't understand and that's the little clear washers that came with the 'kit'. I think it's for winding the bobbins on a sewing machine. I'd never do that as winding by hand is faster than getting the aged body out of the chair to set up the machine!!!!
Tatting Corner has them over here. I have my order in, but one was on order to her from Japan so I had her hold the order until it arrives. I just got some of my Pop-A-Bobbins, though. I think you know I love those. (I now will have 10).
ReplyDeleteIt would probably cost me more to get them from the USA, Tim!! I haven't used anything else since they arrived!
DeleteJane what is the size of the shuttles are they about the size of the Aerolite shuttles, I was wondering if the aerolite shuttles would fit in the case they are selling to go with the new clovers.
ReplyDeleteYes, Patsy, they are the same size as the Aerolite shuttles although the hook is very, very slightly longer. The body size is the same.
DeleteThank You I just may give them a try!
DeleteThat looks very exciting! Well thought out, which is more than can be said for some shuttles I've bought.
ReplyDeleteI ordered mine from Japan as soon as I learned about them. I've only used them once, because they don't hold enough thread for working on Renulek's doily, and I'm a bit addicted to Rita Richmond's shuttles for my carry-along projects. That said, they are nice to tat with! I don't remember any clear washer thingies. If I had them, they're long gone. I must have thrown them out with the packaging.
ReplyDeleteI think they hold the same as the Aero/Aerlit ones. I never mind adding new threads - it's part of the craft of tatting!!!!
DeleteI have been using my newer Aero lit shuttle. They finally to me like the English Aero shuttles. Now I am talking about the ones they have now. They even feel like the older shuttles. I have been using the one while working on my tablecloth and the bobbin hasn't been chewed to sloppy tension yet.
ReplyDeleteThey don't all go sloppy, Sherry. I've been pleased with my Aerlit ones.
DeleteI think the small washers may be to allow you to use aero/aerlit/other thin bobbins in these.
ReplyDeleteI'll try that out. Thanks.
DeleteI priced them in Japan and here in the US and it was about $10 cheaper with shipping to order from Japan than to get them here with out the shipping. Plus the shipping from Japan was just as quick!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I thought it was cheap coming from Japan and it was SO fast too.
DeleteWhere do you get the extra bobbins for them?
ReplyDeleteThe same place, Anonymous. I got the spare ones from Aphyu. I actually love the colours too.
DeleteI can't want to make my order for the set. it's good to know that you like the new shuttles.
ReplyDeleteI believe Lyn Morton's old website has them Jane? Haven't tried mine yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to have a look there, linb54. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteYou already know how I feel about the pop a bobbin shuttle, but I'm willing to try since I like bobbin better. Diane C. Rates them highly also.
ReplyDeleteI hope we're not going to lose you as a Pop A Bobbin buyer, SAS!!!!
DeleteNever! I LOVE my pop a bobbins!
DeletePheewwwww. Sally and I always smile when we see your name pop up in Etsy!!!
DeleteYou and Diane lace lovin librarian are a bad influence on me! I just ordered 4! lol
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Would be interested in a U.K. Source as the shipping from the US to Australia is breathtaking. At moment the plan is to do a group order with a couple of friends.
ReplyDeleteActually you may find it cheaper to order directly from Japan!!! I've found out that they're the same price from the UK but not sure about shipping charges. They also arrive VERY quickly.
DeleteI'm in Australia, and got mine from Japan direct via the "Aphyu" site. I figured it's closer than the US in air miles at least. They have other nice tatting things as well. =) The site is..... http://aphyu-tatting.ocnk.net/
DeleteHappy Tatting!
Cas =)
Haha I too, just got mine!!! Woohoo!!! Ordered from Tatting Corner,also.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the source of these shuttles from Japan, Jane. I too saw these shuttles on someone's blog, and kinda wanted them too. I did find a source from the US (I think it was Tatting Corner), but they were pretty expensive and that didn't include shipping. The Japanese source seems cheaper.
ReplyDeleteSo much talk of these clover bobbin shuttles. I find the plastic they are made of is soft like the old England Aero shuttles, not hard like the post Clover. The washers were inside the packaging and a bit thick as a "helper" for Aero bobbins. Worth the cost to get the bobbin case as it can hold other bobbins, washers and bobbin shuttles with a little room for an attached project before the lid closes I am enjoying mine.
ReplyDeleteI somehow missed this post, and am astounded that Clover decided to manufacture these 'revolutionary' (for them) bobbin shuttles! And it's silent (as is the Pop-a-Bobbin) Plus it has all these other accoutrements for winding! However, I am most curious to see if these shuttles would enable me to wind them in the same way that I wind all my bobbin shuttles (including the Pop-a-Bobbins and the Aeros and the Aerlits): I never remove the bobbin from the shuttle! I merely tie a slipknot around the bobbin (I use the shuttle itself to do this), and wind the thread onto the bobbin by rolling the bobbin (still inside the shuttle) on a soft but not smooth surface, like the opposite side of a mouse pad (which gives it traction). I also retract my thread when tatting by also rolling the bobbin on the mouse pad. It means that I have to have the mouse pad close by when tatting. At home I always have my tatting box on my lap, and the pad is on top of the box, giving the pad a hard surface to sit on. Rolling the bobbin has helped me prevent carpal tunnel!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a great idea about 'rolling' the shuttle, Kathy. I must try that trick today. Shame about the carpal tunnel - that must be so painful.
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