Gorgeous Le Puy/Normandy Lace Pillow--How Functional for Beginner?

[Keely]

So glad I found you guys! I am new to learning bobbin lace ( I needle tat) and am really enthusiastic about taking this up seriously.

I am in love with the straw-filled antique pillows, and I found several Le Puy/Normandy types with the rollers intact, in fabulous condition.

What I love about them is that I can hold them in my lap as I learn right now, rather than having to use a table ( I have Multiple Sclerosis and sometimes it's the sofa for me!)

At any rate, they're kind of pricey, but I may put a layway on one. What I want to know is, are they really good to learn on? I realize that the roller helps with yardage, etc. And of course they have that nifty back storage area...

Of course, I want to eventually graduate to doilies and collars, so the problem would be that they would be a bit difficult on this type of pillow, I suppose. But I feel that it would probably take a while to graduate to this level of difficulty, and since I'll be starting on torchon yardage and trying to perfect it, I may as well use a beautiful pillow that I love.

To be honest, I have this passionate love for old things, and don't want to use an ethafoam cookie right now, because I'm looking forward to the aesthetic pleasure of using an old straw-stuffed beauty (in good condition, of course!)

Can anyone tell me if this is a good decision as far as usability/functionality for a beginner? Please advise! Thanks everyone---Keely

[tatmantats]

Keely,
Would like to see a pic of this pillow. I have made several types of pillows, one similar to this. Yes, it would be very usable for a beginner, in my opinion. But as you state, it is for yardage purposes. I too love antique/vintage items and haven't put out the money to get these beloved treasures. I tend to make my own tools because of cost. But if that is not a factor for you, then go for it. You can do so much in the beginning stages of your learning this artform. You can even crank out complex yardage on these pillows. All depends on the pattern. But if you want to graduate to doilies, collars, motifs and other fun stuff you will want to acquire or make your cookie and bolster type pillows. I have beginner instructions on how to make bobbinlace and also how to make supplies on the Bobbinburg section of my website: http://www.tat-man.net/bobbinburg/howtoBL/howtoBL.html
Good luck and happy lacemaking!!!!

Mark, aka Tatman
website: http://www.tat-man.net
blog: http://tat-man.net/blog
Magic Thread Shop: http://www.tat-man.net/tatterville/tatshop/tatshop.html
email: tatman@tat-man.net
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[Keely]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply. Your site is fabulous, and I checked it out for the first time the other day!

I was also wondering about bolster pillows--I found some wonderful ones on an Italian site and also had someone offer me an antique straw-stuffed one---it has a small stain, but I figured the fabric could be covered. Would this be as easy to use as the Le Puy/French type of roller pillow?

[tatmantats]

bolster pillows come in all sizes and shapes too. I like the large bolsters because you can not only do straight edgings as you turn it around, you can do large doilies and motifs and just about anything on them. Very versatile! The way you hold the bobbins is different than working a roller pillow or cookie. You work with palms up and the bobbins fall to the side and gravity plays a major role in the tension. With cookies or rollers(depending on how domed or space there is between pattern and bobbins) are worked palms down. As for the stain, you can just cover it with another cover cloth. If this stain is on an exterior cover cloth it can be taken off and washed and reapplied. You may want to do that anyways.

Mark, aka Tatman

[Snowy]

Hi Keely, I made a roller pillow with bits from around the house, and a bit of help from the man. Here's the link, and the following post will show you what it looks like finished and with some simple lace on it. I think it's an excellent way to gain proficiency, and you can make the roller as wide as you like, within reason, but I think it's as easy to keep to a small number of bobbins until you feel you can keep track of them without too much stress. I am a beginner too, so I can't give a lot of advice as yet, but I am happy to share experiences! Best luck, Snowy

[Keely]

Snowy, your pillow is wonderful! It looks to be very functional, and it's quite attractive. I'm just not handy with wood and fabric (nor is my husband), and I'm longing for an antique roller pillow to learn on...without paying hundreds of dollars! I'm only just getting started, and so of course I also long for beautiful, vintage spangled bobbins--sigh.