Dear Sherri, Welcome! And let me, on behalf of the Arachne list, assure you that we don't mind questions of any sort!! Asking questions is how you learn.
Pillows: there are all sorts of pillows around the world, and, depending on where you live, I'm sure that someone will be able to recommend a supplier of an economical pillow to start with. Here in Australia, most beginners start with a styrene-type pillow (not just the fruit box variety, which breaks down as soon you put a pin in it), shaped a bit like a mushroom. They are quite economical to buy, last quite a long time. I usually advise a beginner to use one of these pillows to learn the basics. Then, once you've learnt a bit more, and perhaps developed the feeling about which type of lace you're likely to specialise in, buy a pillow especially suited to that type of lace. For instance, I make a lot of long lengths of lace, so I have a pillow which has a roller in it, and I just work round and round the roller until I've got enough length for whatever project I'm working. I taught myself lacemaking from Rosemary Shepherd's book "An Introduction to Bobbin Lacemaking". It was based on a series of correspondence lessons which Rosemary wrote especially for lacemakers living hundreds of miles away from a teacher (in Australia). So, as you can imagine, it contains step by step and detailed instructions which enable someone to become a competent lacemaker on their own. Most people would prefer to have a teacher beside them, but I honestly feel that having to nut out a problem by myself made me a better lacemaker. I frequently meet lacemakers who've been making the same type lace for 20 or 25 years, and still need someone to tell them what to do next - because they've always been so reliant on a teacher to give them minute instructions (and because the teacher has been silly enough to do so!) Again, depending on where you live, someone should be able to tell you where you can get Rosemary's book, or some other substitute. Good luck with the lacemaking! Ruth Budge (Sydney, Australia) Sherri Butler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:I have been lurking on this list for awhile now - seeing all the posts about a "quiet list" - maybe you won't mind my asking a few questions. I am a wannabe lacemaker, not even a beginner - I have bobbins, some thread and pins, even a few prickings - I have balked at the purchase of a pillow and would like to know: 1. What type of pillow most of you would recommend? Is there such a thing as an economically priced lace pillow? 2. And how would you recommend that a beginner learn on her/his own? I live in an area where there are no lacemakers and no lacemaking classes. Is there a book that's especially good for beginners? A particular type of lace that is best for beginners to start with? Thanks for any advice and I hope you pardon such ignorance. :-) Sherri Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.movies.yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
