lab fairy

I actually bought thread once that was wound on a plastic bobbin/spool about that size. It was a small spool of button twist thread (used for hand sewing mostly). I suspect that those probably really weren't used inside a bobbin casing but just a smaller spool used at one time.

GGquilts

Sue, could we see a picture of one of your lamps?

Holice

or if it is good thread and i suspect it is, just rewind it on your regular bobbins.

Kathy N

I have some of those and they are class 15 bobbins. If the paper hasn't fallen apart they are OK to use or you can rewind onto plastic bobbins.

HobbySue

Here is a pic of a jar of buttons I put a lamp kit on, it's my bathroom night light.

wishiwerequilting

it's hard to tell exactly from the pic, but they look like the PW bobbins to me. What does it say on the paper bobbin? All i can read is made in the USA.

I use PW bobbins and like them very much, as some have said, they have *a lot* of thread on them and they last much longer than the bobbins i wind on my machine. I usually pull off one of the cardboard sides and it fits in my viking D1 very nicely. If you are nervous about doing that, just test to see that the thread is in good condition and then re-wind it on your own bobbins, or keep it for use in hand applique. You can also put it on your top spool holder and it should work fine.

dkabasketlady

I've done this with several jars of buttons that were my DGM's. They make great side table lamps!!!

HobbySue

On one side it says,"Star Bobbin Style L / American Thread Co". The other side has "US patent no. and 500 or 100".
Thank you for your advice Lisa, I never even thought about just rewinding onto my medal bobbins. But after I checked most of them break easily. I may just use them for a decorative lamp base.

wishiwerequilting

Yes, if the thread has "dry rot" (which is what I call it, it may not be the exact technical name by any means), then decorative jars, lamps, and shadow boxes are the way to go. I've seen them mixed very creatively with snippets of lace, and other vintage sewing tools and they are very nice. Even just a vintage jar full is nice!