I only use the hot-wire outside, preferably on a windy day as it makes the foam cut straighter. The foam I use is called XPS, it does not bead and let off little pearls like most foam, and it can easily be cut with a stanley knife, but I use the hot wire purely because of my hand tremors. Much easier to push it through the wire straight rather than with a knife. The foam is $12 for a huge piece, probably make 3 pillows from it. I whip up cotton covers in unbleached calico, overlock the squares then dye them with RIT dye to a nice shade of mottled blue. The hotwire is really simple, just an old machine knitting table with a hole drilled in the centre, and an L square attached to hold the wire. I power it with a dimmer, old PC power supply and a foot pedal. Grandad has also successfully cut the foam with the scroll saw (that i am not allowed to go near with a barge pole).
I have started using a piece of yoga mat on top of my blocks now, as the pins grab in it better than felt, and it kind of becomes self healing. Half blocks and quarter blocks seem to be on the agenda now. I cannot stand a cookie pillow as I HATE to move up my work. That is a sure fire way for me to stuff it up! Joseph â be careful to use the hot wire in a well-ventilated space as the gases that come off from the cutting are not good for you Sue - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
