Asked on Nov 14, 2013
Can you tell me what this is?
+83
This was in my grandmother's sewing things and I imagine about 120 years old. Does anyone have any idea what it was used for. It is metal and there is a small hole at the end. It is 3 inches long at it's longest point and 2-1/4 inches in circumference at it's widest point. No writing on the outside. My grandmother both sewed and crocheted if that helps.
73 answers
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I have a rug making kit and that looks like one of the pieces in my kit. You take long strips of fabric and put it through the big end and out the small end. It rolls the material into long rope like pieces that you sew into a rug.
![Bonnie S]()
Bonnie S
on Nov 14, 2013
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That explains a lot since my grandmother made a lot of rugs. But........the hole is so small......about the size of a toothpick. Is yours that small?
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 14, 2013
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Have no actual knowledge of this implement but it's fun to do a little divergent thinking! How about using it to fill lavender sachets? No! Hole too small. Or to fill pin cushions with rice or sand? Wd work with sand but hole too small for rice. Sounds great, though, for transforming fabrics into a kind of yarn, as per Bonnie S, above. Then you could braid or crochet traditional rugs. Family treasure!
![Maureen Walker]()
Maureen Walker
on Nov 15, 2013
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Here is the end of the funnel with a hole. It is only 1/8 inch across.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 15, 2013
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- See 1 previous
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Perhaps it was to help keep wool from knotting as they worked on projects.
![Dee Cain]()
Dee Cain
on Nov 15, 2013
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There used to be a similar item in my mom's sewing supplies, she made her own piping for her sewing projects.
![JeDonne M]()
JeDonne M
on Nov 16, 2013
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A hem roller yes to make piping and rugs.
![Doreen Nestell]()
Doreen Nestell
on Nov 16, 2013
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you could also use it to put beads into bottles...
![Rosalyn Harwood]()
Rosalyn Harwood
on Nov 16, 2013
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The piping thing sounds good but I can't see how that could work. She used to make braided rugs but the strips were wide, probably about an inch to two inches wide. My guess I would think is that it might be string or strong thread to go through it to keep it from knotting. I remember that the thread she used was about that thickness for rugs. I have three other metal things that were in her supplies that I don't know the name of but I know what they do. They fold the fabric into itself when you push it through and then it is maybe ironed? and then it is sewn into the rug as you go.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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yes Dee you are right. It was used to keep the string from knotting. If you see on a braided rug it is joined together with a thin string.
![Irish53]()
Irish53
on Nov 16, 2013
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I wonder if it could be a tussy-mussy, a little metal container that ladies could carry their flowers in while promenading?
![Grace Smith]()
Grace Smith
on Nov 16, 2013
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Lynn, yes, as I said I thought the three things were to make the fabric fold.......I remember seeing her use those. That is why the most plausible answer to me is that she put the heavy string through it to keep it from knotting. I really appreciate all your answers
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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I think Dee should win the prize.......if there were one LOL!
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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When you sew something that has to be turned right side out, you need something to push out the corners to make then pointed. I think this would work well.
![Marion Tinney]()
Marion Tinney
on Nov 16, 2013
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It looks like an old funnel to me.
![Cindy Spencer]()
Cindy Spencer
on Nov 16, 2013
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Looks like something I have seen in fabric stores for making your own bias tape.
![Jean M]()
Jean M
on Nov 16, 2013
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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The powers that we made me post if my question was answered yet. But I wanted to post this at least. When some of you talked about bias binders, I have her set of those and pictured beside it is my bias binder. I remember the three binder hanging off the strips of fabric so I think they folded the fabric, much like a bias binder does today. So as I said, I think the most plausible answer is to use it for thread running through to keep from knotting. Here is a pic of the binders.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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Darning socks would be my guess
![Janet Roop]()
Janet Roop
on Nov 16, 2013
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How would you use it to darn socks? That does not make sense to me. I have darned socks before( I must have been crazy to go to that much work lol) and although I didn't use the tool they did which was a wooden thing shaped like a light bulb, I used a light bulb so don't see how this can fit in.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 16, 2013
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It looks like it belongs in the kitchen. A piping nozzle that sits in the base of a piping bag for icing cakes, piping choux pastry to make chocolate eclairs and so on. They would come in many different sizes.
![Carole]()
Carole
on Nov 16, 2013
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Es un cono para hacer dulces. Se le da mantequilla para que la masa de hojaldre no se pegue y se mete en el horno. Cuando están terminado se rellena con crema pastelera o nata
![Montserrat Vega]()
Montserrat Vega
on Nov 16, 2013
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Maybe to oil the sewing machine?
![Terra Gazelle]()
Terra Gazelle
on Nov 16, 2013
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Well that LOOKS like it exactly but of course mine is all rusty. Since Montserrat reply was in Spanish and I am sorry to say, I don't speak it I had to go to Dictionary.com and click on the translator. My grandma was German but I suppose she was not the only nationality to use this. Translated, this is what Montserrat said. Montserrat VegaEs a cone to make candy. You will be given butter for that the dough does not stick and put it in the oven. When they are finished is filled with pastry cream or cream
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 17, 2013
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NOW that you have us all "all-flutter" waiting for the true answer.....Ever thought of asking at an genuine old antique store?.....lolol
![GrandmaCarol Speight]()
GrandmaCarol Speight
on Nov 17, 2013
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It's used as a funnel to fill objects like pincushions.
![Carole Crawford-Evon]()
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Nov 17, 2013
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No, I haven't Grandma Carol.........there are none around where I live and it is something I never gave much thought to but after we moved and I was going through my sewing things, my curiosity got the best of me. I thought I would have an answer immediately! I really think Monstserrat Vega might be right. Mine looks exactly like the ones she has pictured. Montserrat Vega, do you have a recipe to make those sweets?
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 17, 2013
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My mother had one she used for years to make rag rugs. Old dresses, shirts, etc. were torn into strips and fed into the wide end and twisted as she pulled them from the other end but she had three of them and braided the strips as they were twisted and then she sewed them into circles or ovals.
![Rose Lineberry]()
Rose Lineberry
on Nov 17, 2013
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I have used metal tubes cannolli made to bake dough, and the picture from @ Montserrat looks like mine, only mine are about 5 "long, and tube shaped, as I said. Got them at a restaurant supply store.
![King's Kid]()
King's Kid
on Nov 17, 2013
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I think it is an item to make sweets. A woman on HGTV said you could still buy them and gave me a link. http://www.bakedeco.com/detail.asp?id=5032&categoryid=113#.UolFOuKRJNe Rose, I have those for making rag rugs too. I know what they are and have my grandma's but this item is different than the picture I am posting. This shows the braiders and along side it is my bias maker which is basically the same thing.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 17, 2013
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I agree with @Rose Lineberry - It's used to make rag rugs. you can buy one from this website: http://www.fvstore.com/Shirley-Botsford-Braid-Craft-3-Steel-Fabric-Folders-89000-NIP/p602322.html
![Lisa]()
Lisa
on Nov 17, 2013
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rose lineberry that is exactly what it was used for with material or yarn...People who finger weave sometimes use these..It keeps the torn strips the same size and even..Its like a bobin
![Gail lichtsinn]()
Gail lichtsinn
on Nov 18, 2013
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I think it is something that would be used to make a crisp point on an item being sewn....Like the corner of a pillow, or when making a collar.
![Becky Arneth]()
Becky Arneth
on Nov 18, 2013
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Lisa and Gail, if you would both look at the picture I posted in my last reply, I HAVE those braiders. This item is different from them. With the braiders I remember seeing her use them so I know what they are. It was this single item I did not know. I still think Monseratt Vega found the item. It looks EXACTLY like them. Only I just have one. I asked on the quilting board at HGTV and someone posted a pic that was in a link that was exactly like them. They were used for wrapping tiny strips of dough around and then baked. Then they are filled with whipped cream. They were very reasonable, like 6 for $2 and something. Since it was in my grandma's sewing stuff I think she repurposed it for sewing somehow.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 18, 2013
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Here is the link of the picture of them. I just might buy them. Would be fun to make these. There is even a recipe included. posted Nov 17, 2013 09:27 AMHide Post They still make those. They are used in a lot of Italian cookies and pastry. But in her sewing box? I think she found another use for it. http://www.bakedeco.com/detail...yid=113#.UojSi9K-p2o
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 18, 2013
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It looks like a item my great Aunts had when they braided rugs out of scrap material. My Mom had some of these also.
![Debra]()
Debra
on Nov 18, 2013
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it is a thread funnel. roll your yarn or thread and run it thru the hole at the end of the funnel and it keeps your yarn/thread from knotting.
![Debbi' Adams]()
Debbi' Adams
on Nov 19, 2013
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Are you absolutely sure of this? It makes sense since it was in her sewing things but the Spanish speaking lady pictured some that were identical. Another person had a link to a place that sold them for use in the kitchen also.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 19, 2013
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I am not 100% sure but it looks sorta like what I saw to make your own bias tape on some other site. I have also seen something like this for making canolis but I wouldn't think it would be in with sewing things. Maybe do a search on line and type in item used for making own bias and see what comes up.
![Jean M]()
Jean M
on Nov 19, 2013
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Well, I checked it out and I don't really know now. What I saw when I pulled it up was the item that looks like what is shown in the comments above about eight up. This may be an old timey version.
![Jean M]()
Jean M
on Nov 19, 2013
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I think it is what Debbi Adams said it is now. I can see how that would be great to keep your yarn from knotting.
![Jean M]()
Jean M
on Nov 19, 2013
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If you would check back in my post, you will see that I posted a pic of bias tape makers and of rug braiders. It is NOT that. Either it is something my grandmother used to run a thread through to keep from knotting or it is to use in the kitchen.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 19, 2013
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Heh I was going to guess .. Something you use to push corners of materials out to make it square & pointy!!!
![Jaclyn Thompson]()
Jaclyn Thompson
on Nov 19, 2013
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No, someone already guessed that.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 20, 2013
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it is used to make cannoli shells, for pastry.
![Maureen S]()
Maureen S
on Nov 24, 2013
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I think so too Maureen although my grandmother was not Italian at all, but German!
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 24, 2013
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i believe it would be a tool for spinning cotton
![Jeanine Hurtt]()
Jeanine Hurtt
on Nov 24, 2013
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I think it is a called a threadle or threttle.
![Joellen]()
Joellen
on Nov 25, 2013
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I looked up threadle and it is a lever used on a sewing machine. I couldn't find anything on threttle.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 25, 2013
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It really looks like a tobacco spear. They put this on end of the sticks and would spear the tobacco stalks on them. Your grandmother may have found another use and repurposed this for sewing.
![Somdlady]()
Somdlady
on Nov 27, 2013
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I doubt that it is a tobacco spear as my grandmother lived in rural Iowa all her life and they do not grow tobacco there. Thanks for your input anyway.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 27, 2013
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I am not angry, I was just suggesting people read the other comments before they commented on what they thought it was. I am sorry it came across that way.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Nov 28, 2013
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looks like a small funnel to put oil into a sewing machine
![Angie Jenkins]()
Angie Jenkins
on Dec 05, 2013
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I don't know how your grandmother got it in her sewing supplies, but it's a form to make pastries....cone shaped, similar to cannoli, but can't think of the name of them just now....
![Julie Wilusz]()
Julie Wilusz
on Dec 05, 2013
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Julie, so far I have had several opinions and the person who posted that it was a cannoli cone posted a link that looks exactly like it. On the other hand several are sure that it was used for the thread to go through when she made rugs or when she crocheted to keep it from knotting. So maybe I will never know for sure! If I ever get to an antique store, I will ask.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Dec 05, 2013
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My guess is that it's a corner pusher-outer thimble thingy. :) You could put it on your finger like a thimble but use the pointed end to open out corners on things like pillows.
![Tami]()
Tami
on Dec 05, 2013
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My grandmother didn't do a lot of sewing that I remember. It was mostly crocheting and making the braided rugs.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Dec 05, 2013
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there are lots of things it could be used for, I use something similar for darning socks but I hope someone will know its true purpose. I can see how it could be used to make braided rugs, too,
![Mssmatch]()
Mssmatch
on Dec 08, 2013
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Ice cream cone for Fairies?
![K. C]()
K. C
on Dec 08, 2013
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That is a possibility! I guess you meant cones!
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Dec 09, 2013
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I think a corner pusher outer is it.
![Joedean Small]()
Joedean Small
on Jul 08, 2014
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I'm wondering if it is for making those cones that held Tussy Mussies in Victorian days. They were often made from a doily that was starched in that cone shape. ??
![Kay M.]()
Kay M.
on Oct 28, 2014
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It is a possibility.........thanx.
![Elaine Simmons]()
Elaine Simmons
on Oct 28, 2014
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I think it's a bias tape maker
![Linda Fraser]()
Linda Fraser
on Jan 26, 2015
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![J]()
J
on Dec 09, 2016
It is for preparing your fabric for making braided rugs. -
![Rachael]()
Rachael
on Dec 12, 2016
you make cream horns with this. -
![Mssmatch]()
Mssmatch
on Dec 13, 2016
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/tin-plated-steel-cream-hornssimilar but not the same -
![Mssmatch]()
Mssmatch
on Dec 13, 2016
please take a picture of the other end... -
![Joanie]()
Joanie
on Dec 13, 2016
Maybe it was found in her sewing room, but maybe it was misplaced.........it is a funnel of some sort, I'm just dumbfounded?????????? -
![Renata]()
Renata
on Dec 13, 2016
Yes , I believe it is a corner pusher outer . -
![Oberlinmom]()
Oberlinmom
on Dec 13, 2016
I'm thinking your grandmother multitasked this tool. It may have been a kitchen item but she found a use for it while sewing or making rugs. It may just have been a found object she put to use in her sewing room. -
![Flipturn]()
Flipturn
on Sep 03, 2017
If the hole is only 1/8" then it could very likely have been used to make lengths of 1/8" wide tubing, used for knitting up into larger or bulky items such as mats. Remnants were first cut into strips 4 x the width (1/2 inch) then fed through the metal funnel to make it roll into itself, making the tight narrow tubes. -
![Sharon]()
Sharon
on Sep 03, 2017
They also used metal horns like that as hearing aids back many years ago.
Bonnie S
on Nov 14, 2013
Maureen Walker
on Nov 15, 2013
Dee Cain
on Nov 15, 2013
JeDonne M
on Nov 16, 2013
Doreen Nestell
on Nov 16, 2013
Rosalyn Harwood
on Nov 16, 2013
Irish53
on Nov 16, 2013
Grace Smith
on Nov 16, 2013
Marion Tinney
on Nov 16, 2013
Cindy Spencer
on Nov 16, 2013
Jean M
on Nov 16, 2013
Janet Roop
on Nov 16, 2013
Carole
on Nov 16, 2013
Montserrat Vega
on Nov 16, 2013
Terra Gazelle
on Nov 16, 2013
GrandmaCarol Speight
on Nov 17, 2013
Carole Crawford-Evon
on Nov 17, 2013
Lisa
on Nov 17, 2013
Gail lichtsinn
on Nov 18, 2013
Becky Arneth
on Nov 18, 2013
Debra
on Nov 18, 2013
Debbi' Adams
on Nov 19, 2013
Jaclyn Thompson
on Nov 19, 2013
Maureen S
on Nov 24, 2013
Jeanine Hurtt
on Nov 24, 2013
Joellen
on Nov 25, 2013
Somdlady
on Nov 27, 2013
Angie Jenkins
on Dec 05, 2013
Julie Wilusz
on Dec 05, 2013
Tami
on Dec 05, 2013
Mssmatch
on Dec 08, 2013
K. C
on Dec 08, 2013
Joedean Small
on Jul 08, 2014
Kay M.
on Oct 28, 2014
Linda Fraser
on Jan 26, 2015
J
on Dec 09, 2016
Rachael
on Dec 12, 2016
Joanie
on Dec 13, 2016
Renata
on Dec 13, 2016
Oberlinmom
on Dec 13, 2016
Flipturn
on Sep 03, 2017
Sharon
on Sep 03, 2017
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