> If you want to make lengths then yes you are right > you need either a roller > pillow or a block pillow. >
Not necessarily so. These two are the most convenient form of pillows to make yardage, but thousands of yards were made in the past on plain rounded or cookie pillows. If part of the pillow does not move, then the lace itself is unpinned and moved up to the top of the pattern for the next section to be worked. It may be a bit scary the first time or two, but it has been done and can be done. That said, back to the roller and block pillows. I find the D shaped roller pillows very comfortable to work on. Check that the bobbin support surface is just a bit lower than the working portion of the roller. If the roller sits very high, it is more awkward to work on. The oval ones, or D shaped, -- wider than they are deep -- give lots of surface for the bobbins along with the convenience of the roller. These are comfortable for wider yardage patterns. These come in various sizes from 15-20 inches wide. The more expensive ones have ratchet roller controls. The less expensive use wedges or pins to hold the roller in place. Roller pillows are good for straight laces -- the ones that start at one end and work toward the other end with all the threads. Most yardage patterns are this kind of lace. Roller pillows come in round, square, oval and D shapes and many different sizes. There are some tape lace yardages. A block pillow is better for that kind. The pillow can be turned as needed for the changing direction of the tape. Block pillows come in many forms. One basic kind has nine square blocks held in a frame. Any and all of the blocks are movable, interchangeable, and turnable. These pillows are good for irregular shapes, tape laces, or other patterns that are worked in multiple directions. The whole pillow can be turned, or the blocks moved around. Other block pillows have some permanent surfaces, and some movable blocks -- usually down the center. These pillows have at least two blocks, and can have up to 8 or 9 blocks of different sizes (whole, half, quarter blocks). Since the best working area is in the center of a pillow, having the movable sections only in the center works well. I would suggest a person tour the various websites of suppliers, and take a look at the different styles of pillows. Some styles are fairly easy to make for yourself -- such as the nine block pillow. In the western USA, one popular pillow is the One And Only Pillow that is sold by Snowgoose. (No connection with the company -- just a happy customer.) It is a cookie pillow with a changeable middle section. It comes with two 5" square blocks, 2 half blocks, and a roller that can replace one block. I got one of these for my second pillow and have had it in use for over 10 years. Strangely, I have never used the roller. The blocks have been in constant use with one pattern or another. I have a friend who has used her roller several times. It depends on the lace being made. Snowgoose sells the forms only. The pieces will need to be covered and assembled. However, Lacy Susan has the same kits already covered. There could be other dealers with this or similar pillows. The 5" block works well for 4" or narrower lace. If you expect to made anything wider, a pillow with 6 - 8 - 10" wide blocks would be needed. The most versatile form for a new lacemaker would probably be a through-the-middle pillow or a nine block pillow. It would work for yardage or flat patterns. I would suggest 6" blocks on a nine block pillow, rather than the 5" that I've seen on many pillows. It gives more room for the bobbins. As far as shopping on eBay for a pillow, I urge a person again to study the supplier webpages to learn the styles and costs of the pillows. Don't pay more for a used one than a new one would cost. Check carefully for the shipping costs. Many pillows are fairly heavy and the shipping can be as much as the pillow. Decide what the pillow is worth to you, subtract the shipping, and bid what's left. Check out Lacefairy pages for instructions on making your own pillows. Check the archives of this list. It has been discussed in the past. Decide if you have more money or more time -- then choose to buy or make your pillow. Check with your local lace group, if there is one. Sometimes a member has an extra pillow that they would sell to you (without shipping charges.) Or perhaps one you could borrow one of each to see what type you like best. Welcome to the world of the lacemaker. Eventually, you'll probably have at least five pillows. (Small cookie, block, roller, large cookie, and a travel version of some kind.) It's been a while since we played the 'how many pillows' game on Arachne. I don't even know how many I have because I haven't tried to count them for a long time. Every time I get rid of a pillow (sell, give, destroy), it seems I get two more. I just know it's a bunch more than five. <G> Happy lacing, Alice in Oregon -- only 28 days till lace conference - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
