Every time I take my spindles along with me, I’m afraid they’ll get broken. Especially when packing them in bags that get squashed into the trunks of cars or under airline seats. I decided I needed some sort of protective transport system for my precious handmade spindles. The last spindle I bought was sent to me in a shipping tube which was strong and effective protection, but difficult to carry. I decided I needed a spindle sleeve, one that was large enough to surround the shipping tube. Depending on the level of protection you need and the size of your spindle, you could recycle various containers to become the inner protective tube. Pringles tubes, etc.
To make your own sleeve, measure the circumference and height of the tube. (Mine was 10″ around and 12″ tall.)
Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wider than the circumference of your tube and 3 inches taller than the height.
Cut a circle 1/2″ larger around than the base of the tube.
Cut fusible fleece to size of circle and 1 inch smaller in height and width of your rectangle. Iron fleece onto fabric. With right sides together, sew one long side of the rectangle. Open rectangle into a tube and sew the bottom of the tube to the circle. Clip curves. Fold over top 1 inch of fabric and sew in place to create a channel. Thread ribbon or twine through the channel to draw the top of the sleeve closed.
Optional: Sew a tab with a metal loop into the top side seam for clipping sleeve to bags.
Slipping this sleeve around my spindle gives me peace of mind that it’ll stay in one piece when I travel.
Wow, what a great idea! I must confess I damaged a couple of hand spindles when I was first learning to spin by not packing them in the car carefully enough. And since they’re so much more portable than my wheel, I tend to take them along much more often.
Your description of how to make the cover convinces even a non-sewer like me that it’s doable. I’m also thinking, though, that tunisian crocheting or knitting a cover for the tube might work too, until I get my ancient sewing machine repaired. 🙂
Thanks for the sharing your clever idea!