Winslow Bobbins
Winslow Bobbins have been the go to starter bobbin for many people.
Winslow Bobbins started turning wooden lace bobbins in1972. In Feb 2020, Helen and Steve retired and Harlequin Lace took over the production of these iconic bobbins.
With sadness, Steve announced on 11 September 2023 Steve announced Heather's Passing.
It is with much sadness and a very heavy heart that I have to announce that yesterday afternoon Heather passed away.
Less than a year has passed since she received the final diagnosis that she was suffering from Fronto-temporal dementia. In the intervening period she experienced a rapid deterioration. Thankfully during her final hours she showed no sign of agitation and was not in pain. I was holding her hand and talking to her when she peacefully slipped away.
In the last few months she had had no quality of life so we are thankful that things weren’t prolonged and she didn’t suffer. Throughout the whole time she has been uncomplaining, which was so typical of Heather.
Dennis (Sizeland) her father who started the family business and will be 94 this month, has done remarkably well, all things considered.
I am keeping the header as 'Steve and Heather Smith' in recognition of the large part she played in the production of the remaining bobbins we have for sale.
Winslow Bobbins started turning wooden lace bobbins in1972. In Feb 2020, Helen and Steve retired and Harlequin Lace took over the production of these iconic bobbins.
With sadness, Steve announced on 11 September 2023 Steve announced Heather's Passing.
It is with much sadness and a very heavy heart that I have to announce that yesterday afternoon Heather passed away.
Less than a year has passed since she received the final diagnosis that she was suffering from Fronto-temporal dementia. In the intervening period she experienced a rapid deterioration. Thankfully during her final hours she showed no sign of agitation and was not in pain. I was holding her hand and talking to her when she peacefully slipped away.
In the last few months she had had no quality of life so we are thankful that things weren’t prolonged and she didn’t suffer. Throughout the whole time she has been uncomplaining, which was so typical of Heather.
Dennis (Sizeland) her father who started the family business and will be 94 this month, has done remarkably well, all things considered.
I am keeping the header as 'Steve and Heather Smith' in recognition of the large part she played in the production of the remaining bobbins we have for sale.
History of Winslow taken from the Winslow Bobbin site in 2005
At the age of twenty-nine I, Steve Smith, managed to fulfil the dream of many men and retired to 'play in the shed' - or at least that's what my wife Heather often says. Turning lace bobbins was a big change from working in the legal department for one of the major banks in central London.
So how did this transformation occur? Well, it's a story which starts in 1973, when I was at University studying law, and I met Heather Sizeland, who was studying psychology. A year earlier her father, Dennis Sizeland, had been party to a chance remark made by a friend, which led to the formation of Winslow Bobbins.
The friend, a local craft teacher, was bemoaning the fact that it was difficult for her to get lace bobbins of good quality and value for her lace class. She could only find expensive antique bobbins or cheap plastic ones. There seemed to be no middle ground.
At the age of twenty-nine I, Steve Smith, managed to fulfil the dream of many men and retired to 'play in the shed' - or at least that's what my wife Heather often says. Turning lace bobbins was a big change from working in the legal department for one of the major banks in central London.
So how did this transformation occur? Well, it's a story which starts in 1973, when I was at University studying law, and I met Heather Sizeland, who was studying psychology. A year earlier her father, Dennis Sizeland, had been party to a chance remark made by a friend, which led to the formation of Winslow Bobbins.
The friend, a local craft teacher, was bemoaning the fact that it was difficult for her to get lace bobbins of good quality and value for her lace class. She could only find expensive antique bobbins or cheap plastic ones. There seemed to be no middle ground.
photo © Liz Baker
The wibbly bobbin - an oral history - Liz Writes:
At one of the lasts lace days before lockdown, Winslow were a supplier and I was chatting to Steve about some of the funny spangles that he had done and I had bought (the magnetic beads? seemed like a good idea but they can reunite at speed) and we got onto talking about this particular wavy bobbin.
You can see in the photo on the left, it has three bumps and three waves. Steve let slip that there are few with slightly more bumps out there in the wild that were prototypes whilst he decided on what was just right.
At one of the lasts lace days before lockdown, Winslow were a supplier and I was chatting to Steve about some of the funny spangles that he had done and I had bought (the magnetic beads? seemed like a good idea but they can reunite at speed) and we got onto talking about this particular wavy bobbin.
You can see in the photo on the left, it has three bumps and three waves. Steve let slip that there are few with slightly more bumps out there in the wild that were prototypes whilst he decided on what was just right.