Before I start - progress on the web pages is going well. I'm about to start on the heart section today or whenever I get some time.
I had a message asking me to clarify the differences between the Aero bobbin type shuttles so I'm going to try and see if I can explain it - as I have fathomed it.
I had a message asking me to clarify the differences between the Aero bobbin type shuttles so I'm going to try and see if I can explain it - as I have fathomed it.
Milwards and Aero were, the same company and were at one point part of Needle Industries in Redditch - a few miles away from where I live. This is an interesting link. This also makes sense from what I know too. Another link here is interesting as I read somewhere that the molds for the shuttles were destroyed in a fire but here it would appear that it was the records which were destroyed. As my ex husband worked there after this date and found shuttles still there then I feel that it was simply that the mold was taken over to Germany for manufacturing in that country.
The company started off making the Milward black shuttles with the 'dip' in them and the hook with a green ribbon on. I started life with those at the age of 13. Then I tried the 'new' grey Aero ones as they had the integral hook. It wasn't until I bought one with instructions on on how to load the bobbin and which way to put it in the shuttle that I became comfortable with using them.
The company started off making the Milward black shuttles with the 'dip' in them and the hook with a green ribbon on. I started life with those at the age of 13. Then I tried the 'new' grey Aero ones as they had the integral hook. It wasn't until I bought one with instructions on on how to load the bobbin and which way to put it in the shuttle that I became comfortable with using them.
So from what I've gathered over the years I thought there was just a Made in England grey bobbin shuttle. They were easily available and cheap so I suppose I never gave them much thought. Then the making of the shuttles was re-located to Germany and some of them were a bit problematic. They even tried using carbon hooks on them as I've mentioned in a previous post - a disaster. I got round the odd problems with the German ones by swopping bobbins and they used to work fine for me.
Barb actually told me the following last week which goes to prove how little I thought about it.
Barb actually told me the following last week which goes to prove how little I thought about it.
"I do not know if you know this or not but there are 2 different old shuttles.
1. “Made in England” – this is all it states on the shuttle and is the OLDEST original one-in my opinion is the BEST and those that have this one agree it is the BEST!
2. “Aero Made in England” – this is what it says on the shuttle, this was made second and has a little different design in the middle where the bobbin is.
The “Aero Made in England” one – Pony and Susan bates tried to copied this one.
The “Made in England” – this one is the same as the original Made in Germany ones. – but the mold was used so many times and needs re-worked it finally lost its click click."
At the end of the day it's all down to the skill of the mold maker and the type of 'plastic' which is used, I think!!!!