The Silken Ties That Bind
For those of you who follow my photostream, you know that I collect and photograph Dewhurst's Sylko cotton reels, however I also collect beautiful old pre-war cotton reels from British businesses, many of which have fallen into memory and lost to the mists of time. However, it is rare that I have any American spools.
This Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company spool is a rare exception. It was sent to me by a very dear friend as part of a lovely and thoughtful Christmas gift: one which helps to bond and bind us even more with its beautiful peach coloured silken threads. Like me, she loves vintage haberdashery, notions and spools, and this one was well chosen for me, as it is unique to my collection not only for its American roots, but for the way the labelling has been imprinted into the spool, rather than attached on a label like my other spools. On one end it has Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company Machine Thread stamped into it, whilst on the end showing is stamped the word "byssine" emblazoned above the words silk finish. Byssine is an adjective describing something made of or resembling fine linen, silk, or byssus (a silky fiber). Derived from Latin byssinus and Greek bussinos, it often implies a silken or delicate texture. The term has been used in English since the Middle English period. I was so touched by such a special and personal piece, as this comes from my friend's collection. I was so touched, and I shall always be grateful to her for your generosity of spirit and thoughtfullness.
I have accessoriesed this fine peach Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company spool with some satin roses that are a perfect colour match, as well as some vintage grosgrain peach ribbon, a sterling silver étui featuring rose repoussé work, an antique pair of sewing scissors, and some cut steel buttons from the Victorian era.
Collingbourne Mills, originally the Western Thread Company, was established in Elgin, Illinois, using water-powered machinery, and was known for producing a wide array of thread products. The company became one of the largest independent manufacturers of thread in the United States. Famously branded with the motto "Something to Crow About", the business was renamed Collingbourne Mills, Inc. in 1924. In 1926, a specialised needlework plant was built, operating as Virginia Snow Studios to promote their, thread lines. They purchased the Dexter Yarn Company in 1927, and went on to produce "Grandma Dexter" brand products for quilting and, weaving. Following financial difficulties during the Depression, the company went into receivership around 1938. The company was later purchased by Rudolph Petzelt in 1943, renamed Dexter Mills, Inc., and subsequently sold to Leeward Products, LTD in 1949, which eventually evolved into Leewards Creative Crafts.
The Silken Ties That Bind
For those of you who follow my photostream, you know that I collect and photograph Dewhurst's Sylko cotton reels, however I also collect beautiful old pre-war cotton reels from British businesses, many of which have fallen into memory and lost to the mists of time. However, it is rare that I have any American spools.
This Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company spool is a rare exception. It was sent to me by a very dear friend as part of a lovely and thoughtful Christmas gift: one which helps to bond and bind us even more with its beautiful peach coloured silken threads. Like me, she loves vintage haberdashery, notions and spools, and this one was well chosen for me, as it is unique to my collection not only for its American roots, but for the way the labelling has been imprinted into the spool, rather than attached on a label like my other spools. On one end it has Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company Machine Thread stamped into it, whilst on the end showing is stamped the word "byssine" emblazoned above the words silk finish. Byssine is an adjective describing something made of or resembling fine linen, silk, or byssus (a silky fiber). Derived from Latin byssinus and Greek bussinos, it often implies a silken or delicate texture. The term has been used in English since the Middle English period. I was so touched by such a special and personal piece, as this comes from my friend's collection. I was so touched, and I shall always be grateful to her for your generosity of spirit and thoughtfullness.
I have accessoriesed this fine peach Collingbourne Mills Western Thread Company spool with some satin roses that are a perfect colour match, as well as some vintage grosgrain peach ribbon, a sterling silver étui featuring rose repoussé work, an antique pair of sewing scissors, and some cut steel buttons from the Victorian era.
Collingbourne Mills, originally the Western Thread Company, was established in Elgin, Illinois, using water-powered machinery, and was known for producing a wide array of thread products. The company became one of the largest independent manufacturers of thread in the United States. Famously branded with the motto "Something to Crow About", the business was renamed Collingbourne Mills, Inc. in 1924. In 1926, a specialised needlework plant was built, operating as Virginia Snow Studios to promote their, thread lines. They purchased the Dexter Yarn Company in 1927, and went on to produce "Grandma Dexter" brand products for quilting and, weaving. Following financial difficulties during the Depression, the company went into receivership around 1938. The company was later purchased by Rudolph Petzelt in 1943, renamed Dexter Mills, Inc., and subsequently sold to Leeward Products, LTD in 1949, which eventually evolved into Leewards Creative Crafts.