There is no argument at all from this corner! However, finding the old
wool blankets and pure wool felt is rather difficult. And if we're
covering foam for pillow blocks, and that foam is going to have
moisture-holding properties, it seems rather futile to go to any great
length to fine good wool. Rather like casting pearls before swine.
So, given that we're working with a less than perfect pillow, it makes
sense to keep your work progressing so that pins don't have to stay in
place for months at a time!! That's a good excuse to work at your lace
every day!
Jeri's wise observations about the inherent drawbacks of our inexpensive
"make-do" pillows point out why our "good" pillows cost so much - and
are worth it.
Clay
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Dear Lacemakers,
Thirty years ago, I was taught to use wool - not a synthetic - for
padding lace pillows. Reason is that wool breathes and releases
moisture through evaporation. Foam and synthetics hold moisture long
enough to damage pins. You do not want rusted pins in your lace
pillows. Many of us keep pins and lace on pillows a lot longer than
did lacemakers of old, who were intent on selling lace.
**We are an international list, and many lacemakers on Arachne live in
damp climates, or they use humidifiers in dry houses in heating
seasons, or boil liquids that create in-home steam!!**
Look for old camp blankets and khaki-colored wool army blankets at
flea markets and places that sell used household goods. It does not
matter if they have small holes, as long as you layer the padding so
holes are not one above the other.
Wash in machine at hottest water setting. Rinse to get out as much
lanolin and soap as possible. Make there are no fugitive dyes. Dry
in very hot dryer, which will collect fuzz that may be a concern to
those who are allergic. All this will make clean felted wool ideal
for padding lace pillows.
If you like the advice above, you could go begging for old wool
blankets. Put a note in your local lace club's newsletter. Ask
people to check the trunks in their attics (or the attics of elderly
relatives) for old wool blankets that you can felt and use. You can
also felt old wool clothing, such as sweaters and skirts. Search for
felting instructions on-line.
If there is an argument against using wool felt padding on lace
pillows, I would like to learn about it.
Jeri Ames
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
In a message dated 10/2/2008 3:57:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Hi Susie -
I definitely would have used wool if I could have gotten it. But the
felt I used was a "blend"... probably more acrylic than wool, but
enough wool to make it feel like "real" felt. The felt "dampens" the
harsh feel and sound you get on bare foam, and gives the "feel" of
working on a wool pillow. The foam that Ken sells doesn't grip
the pins
as much as other foams I've used, so there's less "squeaking" to
start
with. But... add the felt, and I hardly notice it. It's been a
nice
pillow.
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.....
Clay
C Johnson wrote:
Hello everyone,
I am interested in the layer of felt, Clay, Did you use wool or
acrylic
felt?
Thanks,
Susie
Morris, IL
> I needed a pillow for a large project. I ordered foam blocks
from Ken
> van Dieren (he's in the US, as I am, but I'm sure you can find a
> source in the UK). My pillow is wider than it is high, because I
> reasoned that the space at the top would be wasted. So, I have
three
> 5.5" blocks on each side, and three 11" blocks going down the
middle.
> (14 and 28 cm) so the total width is 22" (about 56 cm) and the
height
> is 16.5" (42 cm). I started my work near the top of the center
block,
> and as I've progressed, I've just moved the blocks up. I also
made a
> pair of "half-blocks" which are 11" wide but only 2.75" deep. This
> makes it easier to move the blocks in smaller steps.
> My blocks are covered first with a layer of felt and then with navy
> twill. It is a very satisfactory pillow, and I expect to use it
for a
> lot of things.
>
>
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