I made a bag to carry my Toustou roller pillow in, or rather I converted an existing bag. I had a large old but sturdy canvas tote bag which I bought years ago from the Lands End Outlet. As I have lots of lace tote bags from conventions I decided to chop this one up. I unpicked the side seams and laid the bag flat on my folding table, purchased from Walmart. I have to use this metal table to support the heavy pillow when I want to use it for demonstrating. Only thing is that the table is not "in period" at some events. To overcome this I added fabric sides similar to the samples we have seen but I also added a front skirt of the same length, i.e. 3 sides that reach down to the ground. I added velcro fasteners to hold the skirt "seams" together when in use but they also were positions so that when folded up they hold the pillow in place in the bag. I added a pocket to the inside of one original side so that when it is all laying flat on the table I can use the pocket i n front of my knees for holding stuff. When I arrive at a demo site, I open the table and plonk my pillow bag down on it, drop the original bag sides down, unfold the 3 skirt sides and then I am ready to go. Another advantage of this is my knees are well covered when I am working at the pillow, so I can wear whatever I like if I don't have to be in period costume. Packing up is just as easy, fold up the front skirt over the lace to protect it. Fold in the two sides, fasten the velcro, pick up the original bag handles and off I go. I did cover the base area of the bag to match the side fabric so that it looks like one large table cloth when in use. I don't take this pillow out too often as it is very heavy but so far it has been a success with the roller pillow inside the bag. Yesterday I was demo'ing at a local church event and I hardly touched my pillow as I had a snake going on the "have a go pillow" and a young lacemaker who learnt last year on my demo pillow having an impromtu lesson from me. I provided her with a start up kit last year and she has been working alone but needed direction. Unfortunately she only visits the area infrequently but her DH was pleased that she had the opportunity to get some more tuition. I actually had her teaching on the demo pillow whilst I got my lunch and walked around in the very warm weather we had. Janice
Janice Blair Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois, USA http://www.lacemakersofillinois.org/ - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
