My Clover Confession
I have a confession to make that will make many tatters gasp. “I have always hated Clover shuttles!
When I started
tatting, I had the choice of metal Boye shuttles, and the light, colorful Clover
shuttle. I chose the convenience of
being able to carry extra thread with me easily AND the
wonderful fact that I didn’t have to empty a shuttle
to start a new project. Over time I
became “addicted” to a shuttle with a hook.
The ability to buy bobbins cheaply, instead of emptying the shuttle
started me on a “bobbin collection” of metal Boye bobbins, and then later when
Aerlits came on the market, a plastic bobbin collection.
Boye shuttles became “harder to enjoy” as I tired of the oxidation marks
that the metal left on my lovely tatting, and the downturn in quality over time
meant the metal often cut my thread.
A few years ago, I thought I had finally found the shuttle that would rule
my tatting kingdom—the moonlit shuttle.
I loved the feel, the amount of thread it held, and the hook. These shuttles were even easily decorated—I
soon had half-a-dozen pairs of Moonlit shuttles decorated with my beloved
turtles.
On our way home from Finger Lakes.
Cynthia, my traveling companion, had an internet order she wanted to
pick up, so we stopped at Lisa Adams’ house.
Lisa is the new owner of Tatting Corner.
Well, I have finished my first
project with the “awful, I hate Clover shuttles” and these are my feelings---😀 The bobbins come with a holder to aid in winding the bobbin.
😀 Spare bobbins allow for easy extra-thread carrying!
😀 Each package comes with a clear plastic washer which will allow you to wind the bobbin on your sewing machine.
😀 The bobbin have a round hole in the middle—it has a 6-sided, hexagon shape on the bobbin that “clicks” softly onto the same shape inside the shuttle. This allows thread to be pulled off the bobbin when it is needed but provides a nice gentle tension on the thread when it is in use. I love this feature!
Available at Tatting Corner
Tatting Shuttle (1 Shuttle, 1 holder, 2 bobbins) $11.50
Extra Bobbins (5 bobbins and holder) $11.25
Case $16.50 **(NOT $5.00!)
You've so eloquently said what I feel about the new shuttles! Thank you for confirming my opinions so well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment!
DeleteIt really confused me when I saw your blog post -- I felt like I was reading myself but hadn't been up to battling the computer.
It impressed me how you liked these shuttles even though you have all those lovely wooden shuttles to work with ( I love the warmth of the wood as the shuttle passes through my hands!)
Some would say, "Great minds think alike!"
That's it - great minds!!! Well, you and BC3 as I'm sure I wasn't there at the time!!! Just to add to my 'likes' of these shuttles - they don't have any annoying 'nubs' of plastic on them anywhere which is specially appreciated when using very fine threads. I'm also finding joining with the picks is getting easier and easier too. Practice (also known as laziness) helps too!!!
Delete👍 😀 🐢
DeleteI said IF the case was $5 I'd get it but $11.50 was a no go for me...LOL and hugs to my dear friend...
ReplyDelete(Hugs). A better phrasing would have been "I mistakenly thought that Cynthia said the cases were $5"
DeleteEven though the price is steep--it is still a great case!
I've always liked the Clover picks better than using a hook - I tend to shred the thread when trying to use a hook to make joins. That doesn't happen with the pick. Clover shuttles (the post kind) are my favorites, but the bobbin kind sound great, too, and since they're the same shape as the post ones, I'd probably agree with you and Jane. I like the shape in my hand - it seems to fit 'just right.'
ReplyDeleteThat is a great reason to like the pick!
DeleteAren't you glad that everyone tats their own way It's also SO nice that whatever shuttle is your favorite one is the correct one for you!
This post is the first time I learned about Clover bobbin shuttles, and I admit I was completely shocked and surprised! I didn't think the Clover people were remotely interested in bobbin-shuttle tatters! They certainly have been a major supplier of post shuttles! (I exclusively use bobbin shuttles, but I discovered that post shuttles do come in handy for more easily accomplishing 'finger tatting' in single-shuttle split rings, and I do keep one in my tatting supplies.)
ReplyDeleteBut I was also amazed at the thought that Clover put into all the accessories and the box for the bobbins! Very handy - and apparently the box can be used for the Aerlits as well. Thanks so much for writing about this new product and bringing it to our attention. I hadn't really 'read' Jane's post about these shuttles! I glanced at her one post and thought she had simply found a sewing box somewhere that happened to hold bobbins for tatting. I must have been tired that day! I then went back to read her post(s) and was amazed again at her complete discussion and review that I missed! I did comment on her post and explained how I don't really need the accessories for 'winding' because I wind my bobbins by 'rolling' them while they remain in the shuttle. Long story that I have yet to write about in my blog, which unfortunately I'm not keeping up with!
I also must mention here that I am amazed at your excellent blog and how often you post in spite of your many health challenges. You seem to have so much patience to write in great detail and add many photos. I certainly wish you the best in overcoming all the obstacles you are dealing with.
Kathy,
DeleteA couple of the things I like about the the Clover box a) bobbins do not unwind b) the color of thread can be seen on the bobbin c)bobbins and shuttles are stored together.
I read your post on Jane's blog about "rolling the bobbin", it sounds like a great idea--if I can make myself put it into practice long enough for it to become a habit.
I started my blog as a true "computer diary" of my tatting hobby. I am still surprised and delighted when someone decides to "join me on my journey." Thank you so much for your warm wishes!
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ReplyDelete