Lace Pillows
All Bobbin Lace requires a firm surface to work on. Pins are used to hold the lace in
place as the bobbins are woven and twisted in a pattern across the surface of the
pillow. In order for the pins to stay in place, the pillow needs to be pliable enough for
the pins to enter and firm enough to hold them in place. Other than that “all bets are off”.
Pillows can be any shape or size. Traditionally the pillows were stuffed with abundant local materials. This frequently took the form of straw. It was hammered and beaten with a mallet or stick to break up the fibers and make it easier to insert the pins. The whole thing was covered with a canvas material in a shape determined by local tradition and what worked best for the type of lace made.

click Pillow names below for more information
and directions to construct your own
 Cookie Pillow
Non-continuous laces find the easy
turn-ability of the “cookie” pillow 
very handy for the constant change
of directions.
Roller Pillows
These pillows combine the rolling properties 
of  a bolster and the flat area to hold bobbins
of a cookie pillow. They are the favorites of 
lacemakers who make long lace trims.
Block Pillows
Used for larger items so that blocks can be 
moved arround so that the bobbins don't
hang off the pillow when working.
There are many styles of block pillows.
Bolster Lace Pillows
Tubular shaped pillows comes in
many sizes and shapes. It seams each
country has their own version.
Honiton Pillows
Thick round pillows is hard packed 
with barley straw. Is used to make 
small lace motifs which are appliqued
to netting or linked together to make
a lace piece.
Needlelace Pillow -Used to support the
needlelace while the lacmeker works 
the butonhole stiches.
  • Spanish Lace Pillows
  • Italian Lace Pillows
  • Another Lace Pillow photo collection

    • MINI Pillows

      Jays Rotating collar pillow - construction

     

    Travel Pillow FAQ's


    The Horror Pillow!!

    Numerous letters have been written about the horrors of the lace making kit.
    WARNING!!!! This is not acceptable at all, for lacemaking, and is a total waste of money.
    See addresses below for sources of acceptable lace pillows.


    Sources for lace pillows

    More Information about Pillows and Lace

    Other Pillow Links

    Bobbin Lace Pillow:  Types and Construction


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