On Jun 21, 2006, at 13:33, Mary Robi wrote:
Okaaaaaaaaaay. I've been lacing long enough to want to invest in a
better pillow. I've been using ethafoam which are great for taking
places since they're so light, but I'd like to have a heavier pillow.
Soooooooo what is the difference between a straw pillow and one
stuffed with sea grass?
Here's a pretty useless comment:
IMPO, _any_ natural filling (wool, straw, sea grass, excelsior/aka wood
shavings, even saw dust) beats the "plastic" (ethafoam, styrofoam)
hollow for the pleasure of using... But then, I absolutely _hate_ the
squeak I get when I try to put a pin into a "plastic"-filled pillow.
Give me another few years, and I may change my opinion, since my
hearing is going down the tubes along with all the other senses
(however many there are; can't remember <g>).
Once you're in the natural area, however, it doesn't make a _whole lot_
of diffrence which filling you pick, as long as you allow for
differences and know your personal preferences.
I like wool, because it doesn't need any breaking in -- the fibers are
narrow and pack in tightly. The fibers in saw dust-filled pillows are
even finer, but saw dust filled pilows are at least 3 times as heavy
as woll-filled ones. Your choice of what's more convenient vs more
irritating.
Between straw (even unspecified... straws do differ also; ask any
farmer <g>) and seagrass, I'd chose seagrass, because it's likely to be
easier to stick the pins into; the substantial "knees" (don't know the
English for the bendy-joints) in the straw can produce some nasty
surprises, while seagrass has narrower stalks and -- consequently,
smaller joints (easier for the pin to bypass)
Make sure you pick a type/size of pillow you really like and can use
for as many different techniques as possible. A roller limits you to
yardage (unless you're exceptionally nimble). A cookie limits you to
motifs (or pretty much; moving yardage involves more effort than I'm
willing to consider) . A bolster (and it's "horse") keeps you at home
(esp if large enough to be useful for all sorts of lace experiments),
both by the size and weight. A block pillow (overall, not just "down
the middle") is my favourite, but it almost requires a felted-wool
filling...
But then, I'm full of prejudices and where would I indulge them if not
in choosing my pillow? <g>
--
Tamara P Duvall http://t-n-lace.net/
Lexington, Virginia, USA (Formerly of Warsaw, Poland)
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