I'd have to agree with the others on this topic - it depends on what you're making when it comes to pillows.
If you're deeply into tradition or authenticity when out demonstrating, that may play a factor in your choice too, since some regions use a particular pillow for their lace. There's a place in ones cupboard for both cookie pillow and roller. I have several different sizes of cookies (my favourite is my 24" horsehair stuffed pillow), so that I can do different sizes of work - from a small motif to a larger piece. I also have a travelling pillow with a roller that is portable and can hold up to about 30 pairs (I did 36 pairs once when I used it for a class I attended overseas, and it wasn't ideal for the piece I was doing, but given that I had to travel half way around the world for the class, it was fine - and I could use it on the flight - pre-9/11 days). It's nice for little simple edgings and is kind of my pick up and put down work or if I'm off on a rare road trip with the family or off to the IL's for a few days, it's compact. I have a roller with a piece on that I swap out (the piece bores me now after about 20 years, but I guess I should finish it so it can go on the cloth it was chosen for). I also have a multi block pillow with a roller that I purchased from Snowgoose many years ago (no relation, just a very happy customer). I can put in 1 long block, 2 smaller ones or the roller and 2 smaller ones - plenty of combinations. Since it's a nice size pillow around the centre area where the blocks change out, I find it pleasant to work my current project on that has up to 120 pairs at various times. I've not used a bolster pillow for lace in many blue moons. I know I started to learn on one with Mum before she decided the bolster wasn't for her and it was recycled into a cookie. If you haven't used one, they take a little getting used to, IMHO, but they're great for making yardage - and I marvel at the lacemakers who work magic with their bobbins to make collars, corners, doilies etc on them (how do they manage it? :-) ). If you do get a roller I'd make sure that the 'apron' or pillow surrounding the roller is deep (wide) enough that your bobbins can lay on it and not hang over the edge (esp. in front) if you're coming from a cookie pillow. With time and patience and experimentation you will find what you're comfortable working on the pillow and what you're not. Good luck, and have fun. Cheers, Helen, Aussie in Denver - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
