Sue Babbs wrote > I have also used thin sheets of Foam (about 1/8 inch thick) in this way, > with considerable success.
But if you have to buy it, in the UK anyway, then it's could well be another example of Brenda's comment. We don't have Michaels here, and Hobbycraft (our equivalent) is not so inexpensive. You will need to cost it out well, otherwise you will find that you are spending as much money (and a lot of time) on the cure, when it would be far more satisfactory to buy a new pillow. Depending on the size of the worn patch, you may find that you can use the pillow a couple more time to make an edging, where the pricking surrounds the soft area rather than crossing it. Or it may be alright for another piece or two if you choose one that uses thicker pins (and therefore heavier thread) than you usually use, or just push your pins in a little further than normal. What I would say though is to take measures to make your new pillow last longer. Buy and uncoverd one, and first of all use a couple of layers of the felt suggested previously as a cure to your problem, as a prevention instead. This will stop your pins penetrating so deeply while still giving a good grip. If you make a variety of lace, use it first of all for those that use fine pins. Avoid using thick divider pins on a polystyrene pillow, and although you should use heavier pins to pin your cover cloth so you can stretch it tightly, make sure that these pins are pushed in on the vertical face of the very edge, not on the top of the pillow at all. If you choose the shape of cookie pillow that has a bigger flat top rather than a domed one, and you make a lot of bookmarks and similar, you can often position the pricking slightly off centre to use as much of the area as possible. When it becomes softish for fine pin lace, use it for the heavier laces such as Torchon and Cluny where you use thicker pins, and also push them in a bit further. Sound familiar? Here we are around the full circle. And of course, if you get a block pillow, you have both sides of the blocks to wear out. Jacquie in Lincolnshire - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachnemodera...@yahoo.com
