---- Clay Blackwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Someone else mentioned using quilting batting between the block and the block cover. This would work well too, I think... as long as you get a good quality cotton batting that doesn't have slubs of cotton chaff in it and is not thick. Some battings are synthetic, and quite high-loft, and these would be entirely unsuitable, imo.-----
I would think even cotton batting would be too "squishy". I would worry that the pricking could "wobble" as if on an uneven surface, distorting the lace. However, I admit I haven't tried it. Perhaps a good, strong cardstock or pricking card would be stiff enough to prevent that. There is an alternative, though--craft fleece. This is NOT the stuff that sweat shirts are made of, and it's NOT polar fleece. It's usually sold where the batting is, and looks like really thin batting but feels like really thick felt or flannel. I've used it for padding styrofoam balls to make temari (Japanese embroidered balls). It's about as thick as a wool blanket but easier to come by (and no worries about moths, crickets, and other wool-eating beasties). My suggestion for working on a too-large pillow: if you can handle what it does to the bobbins (they will tend to collect in a pile), I'd recommend laying the front of the pillow in your lap and propping the back on a table. This not only brings the work area closer to your body, it brings it down toward your elbows and hands. Propping up the back while the whole pillow is still on the table will still have the work area quite a distance away unless you prop it very steeply, but that will put the work area too high. By the way, I remember an Arachnean showing a picture of her pillow--it was a cookie, but she had it vertically on a stand, and worked at it standing up. Personally, I don't like my bobbins doing square dances while they're waiting to be handled, which is why I don't use a bolster. However, many people do use bolsters, so they must not be bothered by this. It's certainly worth a try. But Clay's suggestion is the best, imo. Move to a block pillow (store-bought or home-made) before you curse the project to lace-hell. Robin P. Los Angeles, California, USA - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
