I admire you chopping all that straw, Mark. When I made my 2 x 24inch diameter pillows, around 1977/78 in my ignorance, I did not bother to chop the straw up much. Just stuffed it in, in handfuls, hammered it down, stuffed some more, more hammering, etc till I had it more or less filled to the brim. A couple of hours of blood, sweat, and tears!!
Since using them, I have found a few knots in the straw that I did not remove, which bend pins, but they are getting fewer and fewer, as the pillows are used, and the knots break down with being pinned! . They have been the main pillows I use over the years, and are just as good now, as when they were made. I made one for me, and one for Daughter, Helen, - but when she went to America, I got her pillow too!!!!!!!! They are the Best (well, except, - arguably- the 18 inch Horsehair pillow!!) I have been reading up about Bethesda, Maryland, - learning a bit before next years IOLI convention. Lots of information, - but Nothing at all about any Handcrafts! Please tell me what the main crafts are, if anyone knows. - Might they be Patchwork and Quilting (Is it near Amish country? - sorry, but my geography is not crash hot, lately!) There must be lacemaking!!!, - but what else? Regards from Liz in Melbourne, Oz [email protected] - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
