DE MAERTELAERE Bobbins
These expertly hand crafted bobbins will remain useful heirlooms in the future, resisting warping and decay.
They are manufactured by "DE MAERTELAERE", a family company which for generations has crafted the
finest lace bobbins in Belgium, distinguised with a lifetime warranty. All models are exclusive designs. Beware of imitations.
To keep your bobbins shiny, the finest product you can use is the natural oil from your hands. Therefore, our best recommentation is that you practise lace regularly, and your bobins will always look like they did on the day you received them. Our bobbins are not coated: the wood is highly polished
to a natural sheen, the sign of excellent hardwood. Lacemakers evverywhere have embellished and personalized their bobbins. Mothers in Belgium write their
children's names in their bobbins, other name each one after a friend, so thier lacemaking reminds them constantly of th eones they love. In England, spangles
and inscriptions are found on most bone bobbins. Delicate carvings are typical in Portugal and personal inscriptions appear everywhere: there is no rule for this practise.
BINCHE
The classic Belgian model, shown here on two hundred year old Mechlin Lace handkerchief. Perfect selection
for your finer laces, straight or free. They are light, beautifully balanced and just waiting to help you with
your finest fingerwork.
Available in:
- # BI.02 Guatambu $1.00
- # BI.15 Ebony $5.00
- # BI.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # BI.20 Guatambu $4.50
MECHLIN
Shown on a fine Bruges Bloemwerk handerchief, this is our best selling model. It wil help you make many delicate straight as well as free lances. These are medium weight, will age beautifully to make lace for serveral more generations.
Available in:
- # 11.02 Guatambu $1.00
- # 11.02 Bubinga $1.50
- # 11.15 Ebony $5.00
- # 11.16 Padouk $1.50
- # 11.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # 11.20 Pinkwood $4.50
TORCHON
Shown here on a Flanders Edging, the Torchon Bobbin is actually suitable for all straight lacework. It works well when wound with medium-to-heavy thread or wire. The single most popular Bobbin in Belgium. It is used at the major lace schools and centers.
Available in:
- # 13.02 Guatambu $1.25
- # 13.02 Bubinga $1.50
- # 13.15 Ebony $5.50
- # 13.16 Padouk $2.00
- # 13.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # 13.20 Pinkwood $5.00
#18 - BRUGES
Adaped for the heavier thread in traditional and contemporary laces. Use in Cluny, Le Puy and Bruges laces, or with contemporary color linen. For heavy thread or metal wire, these are the best balanced bobbins of our collection.
Available in:
- # 18.02 Guatambu $1.50
- # 18.15 Ebony $5.50
- # 18.17 Rosewood $2.50
- # 18.20 Pinkwood $5.00
DUCHESSE
Light and slender, you can fits hundreds on these on a lace pillow. Shown on antique Brussels
Duchesse, this shape is conducive to long-term lacework. You will never have enough of these,
once you start a collection. They fit nicely between delicate fingers.
Available in:
- # AB.02 Guatambu $1.00
- # AB.15 Ebony $4.50
- # AB.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # AB.20 Pinkwood $5.00
- # AB.CT w/copper wire $3.00
PIN PUSHER and PIN LIFTER
These wooden pinpushers and "forklifts" are essential tools for retrieving deeply and hopelessly
embbeded pins from a lace pillow. Wonderful nail savers! The pinpushers are also able to lift out
pins with the rim of the metal well in their tip.
Pin Lifter Available in:
- # KV.02 Guatambu $5.50
- # KV.15 Ebony $8.00
- # KV.17 Rosewood $6.00
- # KV.20 Pinkwood $7.00
Pin Pusher Available in:
- # WP.02 Guatambu $5.50
- # WP.15 Ebony $8.00
- # WP.17 Rosewood $6.00
- # WP.20 Pinkwood $7.00
DIVIDER PINS
Great for keeping track in teh midst of a hundred bobbins on your lace pillow.
Even with fewer bobbins, these divider pins can lend a helpful hand in seperating
them in bunches, between areas of different stitches. Get a set!
Available in:
- # SN.02 Guatambu $5.50
- # SN.17 Rosewood $6.00
ENGLISH
Shown unspangled on an English Hontion colar. Suited for all English bobbin lacework.
An exceptionally fine-crafted and fine-turned bobbin, showing off the grain of the wood beautifully.
Perfectly straight, will not warp!
Available in:
- # EB.01 Hard Maple $1.00
- # EB.02 Guatambu $1.00
- # EB.15 Ebony $5.00
- # EB.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # EB.20 Pinkwood $4.50
MIDLAND
Shown unspangled on a delicate Honiton Lace edging. Strength and grace of design.
Classic English model, suitable for all English laces. Enhance your antique bobbin collection
by mixing with these on the pillow.
Available in:
- # MB.02 Guatambu $1.00
- # MB.04 Bubinga $1.50
- # MB.15 Ebony $5.00
- # MB.16 Padouk $1.50
- # MB.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # MB.20 Pinkwood $4.50
SWISS SMALL
This light and well balanced design accommodates most lace work because of its smooth shape.
Shown here on antique Valenciennes, these narrow bobbins are suitable for most fine work such as
Binche, Mechlin or Brussles.
Available in:
SWISS MEDIUM
Shown on a traditional Binche handkerchief, this model will help you make manyu of the finer straight
and free laces, including Duchesse, Flanders, even fine Torchon. Its versatility and strenght make this
a favorite of many lacemakers.
Available in:
SWISS LARGE
Great for beginners. Large shaft holds more and heavier thread. Extra notch helps with the slipknot and
for silk, which requires two slip knots. For Milanese laces, Torchon, Flanders, Cluny. Sewings can be
made smoothly.
Available in:
OLD HOLLAND
Very graceful for working straight or free lace. A popular favorite among bobbin lacemakers.
Shown here on Rococo lace, they go with light-to-medium weight threads and will enhance the
beauty of your lace pillow with most styles of bobbin work.
Available in:
- # GD.02 Guatambu $1.25
- # GD.15 Ebony $5.50
- # GD.17 Rosewood $2.50
- # GD.20 Pinkwood $5.00
ROSEALINE
Sharp -nosed like dolphins and smooth all over; these bobbins, shown on Rosaline lace, will make
quick work of your sewings and straight laces alike. They can hold a wide range of threads and look
exceptionally rich on a pillow.
Available in:
- # 95.01 Hard Maple $1.25
- # 95.02 Guatambu $1.50
- # 95.15 Ebony $5.50
- # 95.17 Rosewood $2.50
- # 95.20 Pinkwood $5.00
BAYEUX
Bayeaux has the traditional shap of French bobbins. Shown here on Bruges Duchesse, these bobbins
can help you make varieties of fine lace. Light to medium weight, execellent shape for effortless sewings
and easy slipknots.
Available in:
- # BA.02 Guatambu $1.25
- # BA.12 Palmwood $2.00
- # BA.15 Ebony $5.50
- # BA.17 Rosewood $2.00
- # BA.20 Pinkwood $5.00