I learnt my lacemaking from Mum (English) and we always dress the pillow with a cloth or 2 pinned to the pillow. I think Honiton pillows use 2 or 3 dressing cloths pinned to the pillow to create just a small space for working in.
My advice is to not use a cloth that is 'fluffy' or will fluff or pill. I use a cotton poplin usually or for black threads a taffeta dressing cloth, since black tends to show any fibers that aren't black. Dressing cloths not only protect your threads from catching on any pins and rough edges of your pricking, but they also help keep bobbins, thread and pillow clean when not in use (and when in use). Do you mean charger plates? Here in the US they send charger plates that are usually gold or silver that sit under the dinner plate on the table. Cheers, Helen, Aussie lacemaker in Denver - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
